Plant Profile: Persicaria perfoliata

Mile-a-minute is an annual vine classified as a weed within the buckwheat family and is recognized as the sole noxious weed in North Carolina. This plant grows rapidly, featuring long, trailing stems adorned with triangular leaves. The stems are characterized by their red color, jointed structure, and the presence of curved prickles. You can find this invasive species in disturbed environments such as roadsides, ditches, and streambanks across 11 states along the East Coast, as well as in Oregon, where it was introduced from Asia in the 1830s. Mile-a-minute aggressively climbs over other vegetation, obstructing sunlight and ultimately leading to their demise.

This weed thrives in bright, sunny locations with moist, well-drained soil, but it is also capable of invading dry, shaded areas.