| (https://content.govdelivery.com/attachments/fancy_images/MIDNR/2020/11/3845349/mamw-foliage_original.jpg)Mile-a-minute weed, a fast-growing, barbed vine native to India, Asia and the Philippine Islands, was not known to be in Michigan until Doug White, professor of ecology at Albion College, discovered it Oct. 3 in a forest opening on the property while surveying for house wrens. "I'm not normally out there in October, but we color-banded nestlings this year, and I was following the fledglings," said White. "I saw these purple and blue fruits on a plant, and I was curious. Years ago, I wrote my dissertation on bird-dispersed fruits, so naturally I wanted to find out what they were." White took photos, plucked a branch from the vine and, after some research, determined that this was an invasive plant previously unknown in the state. A species is considered invasive in Michigan if it is not native and can cause harm to the environment or economy. |
| (https://content.govdelivery.com/attachments/fancy_images/MIDNR/2020/11/3845381/mamw-fruit_original.jpg)Small, inconspicuous white flowers appear in spring, developing into spikes of pea-sized, blue fruits in mid-summer. Unusual circular leaves called ocreae clasp the stems below the fruits. Mile-a-minute weed thrives in full sun and wet soils, but it can grow in a variety of conditions. Like many invasive plants, it takes advantage of open space and disturbed areas including roadsides, stream banks, forest edges and fence lines. Why is it a problem? The vine's fast growth and climbing habit allow it to overtake native and landscape vegetation, eventually smothering plants and trees under dense, prickly thickets. Because of the risk to Michigan's Christmas tree farms, reforestation projects and habitat restoration areas and the plant's limited distribution, mile-a-minute weed is on the state's invasive species watch list. (https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDQsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMDExMDUuMjk5NDg1MDEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5taWNoaWdhbi5nb3YvaW52YXNpdmVzLzAsNTY2NCw3LTMyNC02ODAwMl83NDE4OC0tLSwwMC5odG1sP3V0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1taWxlYW1pbnV0ZV9maW5kMjAyMCZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPXByJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9Z292ZGVsaXZlcnkifQ.J4n_ST8lXx5FBZbM49Nq2uD5UF6w4au1H10oKgwswGA/s/769781170/br/88032962266-l__;!!HXCxUKc!iLoMx70CF2STyvjMKqOd02EwheWy7g4eDvChXSB2fU-vLCPFcfGocQXLYHkyi_xC$) How did mile-a-minute weed get here? The first established population of mile-a-minute weed was found in a Pennsylvania nursery in the 1930s, likely brought to the location in contaminated nursery stock. Because the fruit is attractive to birds, deer and small mammals, seeds are easily spread miles away from the original plants. Mile-a-minute weed infestations have been reported in 15 states across the United States. The closest known infestation is in northern Ohio. What is being done? DNR and MDARD staff are working with regional partners, including Cooperative Invasive Species Management Areas, Albion College faculty and staff and other landowners to determine the distribution and extent of the infestation.
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