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Guidelines for use of Early Detection Observation Reporting Form

Please use this online form to report the suspected presence of mile-a-minute vine in Connecticut.

You can submit your observations by using the web version of this form (available by clicking the button below) or by sending email to mileaminute(a)uconn.edu. Please do not submit your data using both methods—your observations and reports will be added to our database either way.

Although we cannot always respond personally to every report we receive, someone from the University of Connecticut or the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection may contact you at the e-mail address or phone number you provide to discuss your observation in greater detail. Thank you for submitting your observation.

 

 

Similar Species Guide

Mile-a-minute vines are easily distinguished from other vining plants by their triangular leaves, distinctive prickles or barbs, and large, obvious ocrea (see species identification page for photos of these traits).

Other plants, particularly other vines, may be confused with mile-a-minute. Please use the guide below to help identify other vines which are generally native, non-invasive species. For advice and information on how to manage these plants in your garden or yard, contact UConn’s Home and Garden Center or your local County Master Gardener’s Program.

 

Silhouette of leaf*

Photos

Scientific Name

Common Name

Traits

Celastrus orbiculatus, C. scandens

Oriental Bittersweet**, Native Bittersweet

 

Prickles: No

Ocrea: No

Tendrils: No

Polygonum arifolium

Halbred-leaved tearthumb

Prickles: Yes

Ocrea: No

Tendrils: No

Polygonum sagittatum

Arrow-leaved tearthumb

Prickles: Yes

Ocrea: No

Tendrils: No

lpomoea purpurea, I. pandurata

Wild Morning Glory, Wild potato vine

Prickles: No

Ocrea: No

Tendrils: Yes

Vincetoxicum sp.

Swallowworts

Prickles: No

Ocrea: No

Tendrils: Yes

Amphicarpa bracteata

Hogpeanut

Prickles: Hair Stem

Ocrea: No

Tendrils: No

 

Vitis sp.

Grape

Prickles: No

Ocrea: No

Tendrils: Yes

Calystegia arvensis

Field Bindweed

Prickles: No

Ocrea: No

Tendrils: No

Calystegia sepium

Hedge Bindweed

Prickles: No

Ocrea: No

Tendrils: No

 

Polygonum scandens

Climbing False Buckwheat

Prickles: No

Ocrea: No

Tendrils: Twining

 

Sicyos angulatus

Bur cucumber

Prickles: Hairy Stem

Ocrea: No

Tendrils: Yes

 

Persicaria perfoliata

Mile-a-minute vine/Devil's tearthumb

Prickles: YES

Ocrea: YES

Tendrils: NO

*Not to scale. Example only
**Note: other invasive species.

 

Go to the mile-a-minute reporting form: