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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: