Mikania micrantha, mile-a-minute
Mikania micrantha Kunth (also known by the common names of mile-a-minute, Chinese creeper and bittervine) is a fast growing vine on both the Federal and Florida state noxious weed lists. It thrives in warm and humid environments, and has been observed to grow almost half a meter per week under optimal conditions. While native to Central and South America, its global range expanded to cover Southeast Asia and the Pacific during the 1940s when it was used as camouflage for airfields. As a rapidly growing climbing vine, it can smother and overwhelm other small plants and even large trees. Left uncontrolled, it can cover abandoned disturbed areas in only a few months, and then spill over into agricultural and natural areas. It has been documented as a pest in banana, cacao, coconut, oil palm, rubber and rice plantations. Mile-a-minute is one of the top one hundred global invasive pests.
It was recently detected in the Redlands area of Miami-Dade County. This plant had not previously been reported to be established in the continental United States. Survey and management programs are underway.
If you think you have seen this plant, call 888-397-1517.
Micania micrantha
Photo courtesy of Konrad Englberger, Secretariat of the Pacific Community
Micania micrantha on Saipan
Photo courtesy of Konrad Englberger, Secretariat of the Pacific Community
Micania micrantha
Photo courtesy of Secretariat of the Pacific Community
Micania micrantha
Photo courtesy of Konrad Englberger, Secretariat of the Pacific Community
Mikania micrantha Updates 
- Mikania micrantha Positive Finds in Florida
- Mikania micrantha Pest Alert - DPI
- Mikania micrantha Fact Sheet by Asia - Pacific Forest Invasive Species Network (1.77MB)
- Mikania micrantha: Weed of the Month
- 2/4/2010 2nd Interim Report FL Pest Survey
- 12/29/09 Interim Report FL Pest Survey
- A Report from DPI Botanist Dr. Richard Weaver 12/11/09
