Mile-A-Minute Weed

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• devil's-tail
• giant climbing tearthumb
• mile-a-minute weed
• devil's-tail tearthumb
• mile-a-minute-vine
• mile-a-minute-weed
• minuteweed
• tearthumb
• perfoliate knotweed
• spiny knotweed

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Ampelygonum perfoliatum
• Fagopyrum perfoliatum
• Chylocalyx perfoliatus
• Tracaulon perfoliatum
• Truellum perfoliatum
• Polygonum arifolium var. perfoliatum
• Polygonum perfoliatum
• Polygonum paucifoliatum
• Echinocaulon perfoliatus

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it is organized under the order Caryophyllales and the family Polygonaceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Persicaria.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a widespread distribution across several distinct regions of Eurasia. In Middle Europe, its presence is documented within the borders of Germany. The species also extends significantly into the Russian Far East, where it can be found in the Amur region. Furthermore, it inhabits the Khabarovsk and Primorye territories of the Russian Far East. Finally, its geographical range reaches the island of Sakhalin within the same Far Eastern area.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Persicaria perfoliata is characterized by a broad altitudinal distribution and specific edaphic preferences. It thrives in varied terrains, spanning an elevational range from as low as 80 m AMSL to a maximum of 2300 m AMSL, with a mean elevation of approximately 1190 m AMSL. In terms of substrate requirements, the plant is specifically associated with sandy habitats, where its growth is supported by the unique drainage and soil properties provided by sand.

Elevational range max:

2300 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

1190 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

80 m AMSL

Habitat :

sand

Life history

The life history of Persicaria perfoliolata is characterized by an annual lifecycle, meaning the plant completes its entire developmental process—from germination to seed production—within a single growing season. As an annual species, it relies on a rapid growth strategy to establish itself, develop its distinctive perfoliate leaves, and reach reproductive maturity before the onset of unfavorable environmental conditions. The plant focuses its energetic resources on producing a prolific amount of seeds, which serve as the primary mechanism for survival and dispersal to ensure the next generation. Once the seeds are released and the growing season concludes, the parent plant completes its life cycle and dies, leaving the seeds to persist in the soil substrate until the following season's conditions trigger germination.

Lifecycle :

annual

Morphology

The morphology of Persicaria perfoliolata is characterized by a growth form classified as a non-woody herb and specifically a forb. This plant is a self-supporting organism, meaning it does not function as a liana, vine, or climber, but rather maintains its own structural integrity. It typically reaches a plant height with a mean measurement of approximately 1.8 m. Regarding its habitat and ecological strategy, the species is terrestrial in nature, rather than being aquatic or an epiphyte. Furthermore, it functions as an independent organism, exhibiting no parasitic tendencies.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height mean:

1.8 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Persicaria perfoliata is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation processes and metabolic efficiency in varying light environments. The morphological aspects of its foliage reflect specific developmental ranges, with leaf lengths varying from a minimum of 3 cm to a mean of 5 cm, reaching a maximum of 7 cm. Correspondingly, the leaf width fluctuates between a minimum of 2 cm and a maximum of 5 cm, contributing to the overall surface area available for gas exchange and light interception. Regarding its nutrient acquisition strategies, the plant does not function as a nitrogen fixer, meaning it relies on the uptake of available nitrogen from the surrounding substrate rather than through symbiotic diazotrophic associations.

Leaf length max:

7 cm

Leaf length mean:

5 cm

Leaf length min:

3 cm

Leaf width max:

5 cm

Leaf width min:

2 cm

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Persicaria perfoliata is characterized by a specific flowering phenology and specialized morphological traits. The flowering period typically commences in July and extends through October. During this reproductive phase, the plant produces inflorescences that are relatively small, ranging in length from a minimum of 0.01 m to a maximum of 0.03 m. The reproductive process is supported by the presence of self-fertilization, ensuring seed production. The resulting fruits are minute, with a mean length of 0.35 cm, falling within a range of 0.3 cm to 0.4 cm. These fruits yield seeds with a mean mass of 0.01758 g, though individual seed weights vary from a minimum of 0.01444 g to a maximum of 0.02072 g. Regarding the movement of offspring, the species exhibits an unspecialized dispersal syndrome, allowing it to propagate within its environment through various non-specific mechanisms.

Dispersal syndrome :

unspecialized

Flowering time :

Jul

Flowering time :

Oct

Fruit length max:

0.4 cm

Fruit length mean:

0.35 cm

Fruit length min:

0.3 cm

Inflorescence length max:

0.03 m

Inflorescence length min:

0.01 m

Seed mass max:

0.02072 g

Seed mass mean:

0.01758 g

Seed mass min:

0.01444 g

Self fertilization :

present

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Persicaria perfoliata has 11 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 13-epitorulosal, 5-Hydroxymethyl-2-furaldehyde, CATECHIN, INDICAN, METHYL CAFFEOATE.

13-epitorulosal

1. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials

5-Hydroxymethyl-2-furaldehyde

1. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials

CATECHIN

1. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials

INDICAN

1. Toxicon : official journal of the International Society on Toxinology

METHYL CAFFEOATE

1. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials

PROTOCATECHUIC ALDEHYDE

1. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials

TAXIFOLIN

1. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials

Taxifolin 3-O-beta-D-xylopyranoside

1. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials

coumarin-7-O-beta-D-glucose glycosidic

1. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials

pinocernbrin

1. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials

Activities

Persicaria perfoliata has 5 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antibacterial, Anticancer, Antidiabetic, Antioxidant, Cytotoxic.

Antibacterial

1. Heliyon

Anticancer

1. Heliyon

Antidiabetic

1. Heliyon

Antioxidant

1. Heliyon

Cytotoxic

1. Heliyon

Medicinal Uses

Persicaria perfoliata has 2 reported medicinal uses identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include antidiabetic, antioxidant.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations