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Identifying traits of mile-a-minute: triangular-shaped leaves; curved prickles or barbs; saucer-shaped leaves at nodes; green and blue fruit. Images sourced from UCONN.
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Invasive plants are a major threat to our
natural resources and mile-a-minute vine is
beginning to take over Southern Connecticut, slowly heading north.
This year, Cromwell became the 47th town where mile-a-minute is found in the state.
Non-native mile-a-minute often interferes with important wildlife habitat. The
vine has also found its way onto Charles Island Natural Area Preserve in Milford.
"DEEP Wildlife Division staff has been restoring habitat on the island. However, m
anagement of mile-a-minute is challenging due to its ability to grow rapidly and produce an abundance of seed," explained Wildlife Division Biologist Peter Picone.
"Access to Charles Island is limited due to the nesting of a variety of listed bird species, including glossy ibis and snowy egret," Picone continued,
"these birds nest during the same months (June - August) that provide the most desirable growing conditions for mile-a-minute, preventing wildlife biologists from treating the island before the invasive vines produce seeds."
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Mile-a-minute Distribution Map. Click the map for a larger image. |
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Mile-a-minute has been discovered at another location in North Haven, disrupting an ongoing
habitat restoration project (PDF) to provide wintering habitat for Northern saw-whet owls, the smallest owls found in Connecticut. The area is undergoing treatments similar to Charles Island.
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