| Mile-A-Minute
Weed and Giant Hogweed Update (April 2007)
Mile-a-minute weed
In 2006 mile-a-minute weed (Polygonum perfoliatum)
was detected for the first time in Massachusetts in
2 locations: Falmouth (Barnstable County) and Milton
(Norfolk County). Eradication efforts will be undertaken
at both sites.
Mile-a-minute weed is a vine native to eastern Asia.
It is possible that this weed was transported to the
US in nursery stock imported from Asia. Mile-a-minute
weed is distinguished by its triangular leaves, barbed
stems, and metallic-blue berries. Our mile-a-minute
fact sheet is posted at http://massnrc.org/pests/pestFAQsheets/mileaminute.html
and contains pictures, information on identifying
this plant, and links to further information.
Giant Hogweed
In 2006 no new populations of giant hogweed (Heracleum
mantegazzianum) were detected in Massachusetts.
Giant hogweed has been reported and confirmed in 15
towns in 7 counties in Massachusetts. Eradication
efforts have made significant progress-at almost all
of the sites greater than 90% control has been achieved.
Follow up will continue at known giant hogweed sites
to ensure the population won’t reestablish from
seeds remaining in the soil. A list of towns with
giant hogweed and the status of control efforts can
be found on the MDAR giant hogweed website. http://www.mass.gov/agr/pestalert/giant_hogweed.htm
Giant hogweed is native to the Caucasus mountain
region of Eurasia. This plant has been moved around
the world as a garden curiosity. The plant can reach
10-15 feet in height with white flower heads up to
2 ½ feet in diameter. Giant hogweed is of concern
because it is an invasive that out-competes native
plants and its sap can cause severe burns. Our giant
hogweed fact sheet is posted at http://massnrc.org/pests/pestFAQsheets/hogweed.html
and contains pictures, information on identifying
this plant, and links to further information.
If you suspect you have found Giant Hogweed or Mile-A-Minute
Weed, please report it via the plant pest hotline
(617.626.1779) or on our website (http://massnrc.org/pests/report.aspx).
The pest alert is from the Massachusetts Introduced
Pests Outreach Project, a collaborative project between
the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources
and the UMass Extension Agriculture and Landscape
Program aimed at preventing the establishment of new
pathogens and pests in Massachusetts. Visit the project
website (http://www.massnrc.org/pests) for more information
on other emerging pests or to subscribe and unsubscribe
for pest alerts.
The pest alert is from the Massachusetts Introduced
Pests Outreach Project, a collaborative project between
the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources
and the UMass Extension Agriculture and Landscape
Program aimed at preventing the establishment of new
pathogens and pests in Massachusetts. Visit the project
website (http://www.massnrc.org/pests)
for more information on other
emerging pests or to
subscribe and unsubscribe for pest alerts.
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