Giant Climbing Tearthumb Persicaria perfoliata

Mile-a-minute or asiatic tearthumb is a vine like annual weed in the Polygonaceae (buckwheat) family.  It was brought over from Asia in the 1830's was spread through contamination of nursery stock and is now found growing in disturbed areas, roadsides, ditches, and streambanks in 11 states of the east coast and in Oregon.  The common name "mile-a-minute" comes from its rapid growth rate reaching up to 20 feet long in one growing season.  "Tearthumb" is a nod to the sharp barbs along the stem and the undersides of the leaves that can injure hands when pulling them up.

It prefers bright sunny areas with moist, well-drained soils but it will invade dry shady areas as well.

This fast growing vine has long trailing stems and distinct almost perfect equilateral triangle shaped leaves.  The stems are pinkish red, jointed, and have curved prickles along them.  It forms a dense mat of vegetation on the ground or scrambles up and over other plants blocking out light and killing them.  The insignificant flowers lead to showy metallic blue fruits are enjoyed by birds but are also dispersed via waterways because they float.  The roots are small and shallow making it easy to pull the plants up however the plants should be pulled before they go into fruit because the fruits shed very easily.   If the plant already has fruits, remove them first and dispose of them in the trash and then pull the plant up.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  It is a Class B noxious weed in North Carolina.  See native alternatives to the left. Wear gloves when removing this vine to avoid injuries to the hands.  Some positive results have been seen using weevils as a biological management strategy.