1. Mile-a-minute vine (Polygonum perfoliatum) is a non-native invasive plant from Asia that can grow up to 6 inches per day.  The annual vines have equilateral triangular-shaped leaves, cup-like bracts where leaves develop, and sharp downward pointing barbs.  The small, white flowers are followed by metallic blue fruits from June until frost.  Also known as the “kudzu of the North,” mile-a-minute vine quickly smothers surrounding vegetation.  Initially reported from Greenwich, Connecticut in 2000, mile-a-minute has also been confirmed in the towns of Bridgewater, Lyme, New Milford, Newtown, Roxbury, Torrington, and Westport. 

The Invasive Species Advisory Committee for Mad Gardeners, Inc., which includes Kathleen Nelson (Chairwoman), Elizabeth Corrigan (CIPWG Co-chair), and Todd Mervosh (The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station) have been working with several interns and many dedicated volunteers to actively control mile-a-minute during the summer, particularly in Bridgewater and New Milford.  The committee has been undertaking an impressive outreach campaign to alert the public to this invasive species.  In related news, Les Mehrhoff (Invasive Plant Atlas of New England/CIPWG) organized a Mile-a-minute Task Force this summer to coordinate detection, control, and outreach efforts and to document existing populations of mile-a-minute in the state.  To report sightings of mile-a-minute vine, email elizabethcorrigan@yahoo.com; knelson151@sbcglobal.net; donna.ellis@uconn.edu or call the Connecticut Invasive Plant Working Group at (860) 486-6448.

2. The Connecticut General Assembly passed the budget with $1 million funding for invasive plants for the next two years.  The Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection (CT DEP) has the funds, which will be used for 1) an invasive plant program coordinator; 2) early detection/rapid response activities; 3) education and outreach; 4) inspections of pet stores, nurseries and garden centers by the CT Department of Agriculture and The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station; and 5) grants to municipalities, lake associations, and land trusts for control of invasives.

3. PLANTCONNECTICUT has an unusual dual-purpose this year: a combined eradication of invasive plants and re-planting of a fruit orchard in Madison’s Bauer Park.  It’ll be the first time the annual project, set for Wednesday, October 3, is in Madison and will work to eliminate invasives.  Volunteers are needed to help with this high-visibility public service project.  Call the Connecticut Nursery and Landscape Association (CNLA) at (800) 562-0610.  (Originally posted on the CNLA Update, August 24, 2007)

4. Detection surveys continue in Connecticut for giant hogweed (Heracleum mantegazzianum), a large, herbaceous biennial or perennial native to Central Asia.  Giant hogweed is a Federal Noxious Weed due to its toxic sap, and plants can reach 15 ft. in height.  In the United States, giant hogweed has been documented from 15 states, and in Connecticut it has been confirmed in 23 towns in 7 counties.  This invasive plant was found in Greenwich and Goshen, CT during detection surveys conducted in 2007.  For more information on giant hogweed, please visit the CIPWG website.

5. We are continuing with the “Invader of the Month” feature on the CIPWG website.  Our current focus is to highlight Early Detection species in Connecticut – non-native invasive plants for which there are very few or no known occurrences to date.  If you are interested in contributing a 1- to 2-page summary of one of these invasive plants, please contact Donna Ellis for more information (email donna.ellis@uconn.edu; phone 860-486-6448).  You can visit the CIPWG website at www.hort.uconn.edu/cipwg and click on the most recent “Invader of the Month” or the archived invaders to see examples written by our members.

6. The CT DEP partially funded, and expedited permitting for a water chestnut control project on the Riverside Park flood control pond in Hartford.  The pond was treated with herbicides at the end of July.  Low water levels interfered with the original plan to do an earlier treatment with granular herbicides.  The plants had not yet set seed, so we are cautiously optimistic the control efforts will do some good.  Unfortunately some plants washed out into the Connecticut River during a thunderstorm on July 19, so there is some potential for spreading downstream.  (Contributed by Brad Robinson, CT DEP)

7.The next general meeting of the Connecticut Invasive Plant Working Group will take place in November.  Following the general meeting, a symposium planning meeting will take place.  We invite you to serve on the planning committee, and welcome your input as we develop the 2008 invasive plant symposium program.  Additional details of the CIPWG meeting will be forthcoming, and will be posted on the CIPWG website.

8. Please check the CIPWG website at www.hort.uconn.edu/cipwg for invasive plant information and area events.  You are welcome to send meeting announcements for the calendar, or post messages to the CIPWG website by emailing them to donna.ellis@uconn.edu.

Submitted by Donna Ellis

Extension Educator and Co-Chair, Connecticut Invasive Plant Working Group (CIPWG)