OF THE CAROLINAS & GEORGIA

Spermatophytes (seed plants): Angiosperms (flowering plants): Eudicots: Core Eudicots: Caryophyllales

WEAKLEY'S FLORA OF THE SOUTHEASTERN US (4/24/22):
Persicaria perfoliata   FAMILY Polygonaceae   Go to FSUS key



SYNONYMOUS WITH PLANTS NATIONAL DATABASE:
Polygonum perfoliatum   FAMILY Polygonaceae

SYNONYMOUS WITH Flora of North America north of Mexico, vol. 5 (2005)

Persicaria perfoliata

 

COMMON NAME:
Asiatic Tearthumb, Mile-a-minute-weed, Mile-a-minute-vine, Devil's-tail Tearthumb


         To see larger pictures, click or hover over the thumbnails.

image of Persicaria perfoliata, Asiatic Tearthumb, Mile-a-minute-weed, Mile-a-minute-vine, Devil's-tail Tearthumb

Bruce Ackley, The Ohio State University, Bugwood.org     bug_5437879

Month Unknown        

image of Persicaria perfoliata, Asiatic Tearthumb, Mile-a-minute-weed, Mile-a-minute-vine, Devil's-tail Tearthumb

Leslie J. Mehrhoff, University of Connecticut, Bugwood.org    bug_5480315

Month Unknown        

image of Persicaria perfoliata, Asiatic Tearthumb, Mile-a-minute-weed, Mile-a-minute-vine, Devil's-tail Tearthumb

Leslie J. Mehrhoff, University of Connecticut, Bugwood.org    bug_5480355

Month Unknown        

Stem, petioles, lower surface of major leaf veins w abundant recurved prickles, per Weakley's Flora.

image of Persicaria perfoliata, Asiatic Tearthumb, Mile-a-minute-weed, Mile-a-minute-vine, Devil's-tail Tearthumb

Leslie J. Mehrhoff, University of Connecticut, Bugwood.org    bug_5480389

Month Unknown        

Ocreae foliaceous, green, orbicular, perfoliate, per Weakley's Flora (2020).

image of Persicaria perfoliata, Asiatic Tearthumb, Mile-a-minute-weed, Mile-a-minute-vine, Devil's-tail Tearthumb

Leslie J. Mehrhoff, University of Connecticut, Bugwood.org    bug_5480394

Month Unknown        

Leaves a distinctive equilateral triangle, 1-3" wide, per Invasive Plants, Guide to Identification, Impacts and Control (Kaufman & Kaufman, 2007).

image of Persicaria perfoliata, Asiatic Tearthumb, Mile-a-minute-weed, Mile-a-minute-vine, Devil's-tail Tearthumb

Leslie J. Mehrhoff, University of Connecticut, Bugwood.org    bug_5480485

Month Unknown        

image of Persicaria perfoliata, Asiatic Tearthumb, Mile-a-minute-weed, Mile-a-minute-vine, Devil's-tail Tearthumb

Leslie J. Mehrhoff, University of Connecticut, Bugwood.org    bug_5480493

Month Unknown        

Small white flowers emerge from the rounded ocreas, per Invasive Plants, Guide to Identification, Impacts and Control (Kaufman & Kaufman, 2007).

image of Persicaria perfoliata, Asiatic Tearthumb, Mile-a-minute-weed, Mile-a-minute-vine, Devil's-tail Tearthumb

Leslie J. Mehrhoff, University of Connecticut, Bugwood.org    bug_5480496

Month Unknown        

Fruits metallic blue, pea-sized, per Invasive Plants, Guide to Identification, Impacts and Control (Kaufman & Kaufman, 2007).

image of Persicaria perfoliata, Asiatic Tearthumb, Mile-a-minute-weed, Mile-a-minute-vine, Devil's-tail Tearthumb

Leslie J. Mehrhoff, University of Connecticut, Bugwood.org    bug_5480574

Month Unknown        

Vines can grow to 15' long, per Invasive Plants, Guide to Identification, Impacts and Control (Kaufman & Kaufman, 2007).

 

 

WEAKLEY'S FLORA OF THE SOUTHEASTERN US (4/24/22):
Persicaria perfoliata   FAMILY Polygonaceae

SYNONYMOUS WITH PLANTS NATIONAL DATABASE:
Polygonum perfoliatum   FAMILY Polygonaceae

SYNONYMOUS WITH Flora of North America north of Mexico, vol. 5
Persicaria perfoliata

 

Find by SCIENTIFIC NAME:

1124

Forb
Annual

Habitat: Roadsides, banks, powerline rights-of-way, per Weakley's Flora

Non-native: east Asia

Rare in NC (introduced and spreading rapidly)

map
CLICK HERE to see a map, notes, and images from Weakley's Flora of the Southeastern US.


INVASIVE

This plant is causing problems in natural areas outside its native range, according to authorities such as:

 

IS THE PLANT "ARMED"?
Stem, petioles, and major leaf veins (beneath) have abundant recurved prickles

LEAVES:
Simple
Alternate

FLOWER:
Summer/Fall
Greenish-white
5-parted calyx
Petals absent
Superior ovary
Bisexual

Inflorescence capitate or spikelike, uninterrupted

FRUIT:
Summer/Fall
Blue
Nutlet

 

TO LEARN MORE about this plant, look it up in a good book!



 


Find by SCIENTIFIC NAME: