Identity of Invasive Vine

Coolbreeze · 08-26-2009, 05:52 PM

NichNH, crown vetch is generally a non-climbing ground cover. It can be used along the roadsides for eroision control. The vine that is being described may be mile-a-minute, trumpet vine, oriental bittersweet (not likely based on the leaf description),
some others may be nightshade or marijuana. (just kidding on the last choice)

Pictures please.

Chickie · 08-26-2009, 08:28 PM

I don’t believe it is Crown Vetch. I found a photo and information on the web, which shows Crown Vetch as having compound leaves with 15 – 25 leaflets on each. The leaflets are rounded at the ends and are only about three-quarters to an inch in length.

What I have has compound leaves of five or seven to each stem and each leaflet is three to four inches in length. The leaves come to a point at the ends. The flowers are a rather dark mauve (perhaps more on the dark pink or maroon side) with some white on them. I was thinking it might be wild sweet pea vines, but I haven’t found it to be that either. I pull it out every year and it always returns. I may be gaining ground, however, as there isn't as much of it this year as in previous years.

Coolbreeze -
It isn't Trumpet Vine, Nightshade or Oriental Bittersweet. I'm really stumped on this.

Sorry I can't provide photos.

CrawfordCentury · 08-28-2009, 04:51 PM

Without pictures, ID is difficult - if not darned near impossible (even with pics it can be tough - I belong to a tree-related forum and we get all sorts of what kind of tree is this posts)

On my property, I'm at war with Black swallow wort. It's a fast growing vine with purpley flowers. Thrives in the rich soiled shady environment of a back north facing slope adjacent to a brook.

Just as tenacious as bittersweet (at least it's not a woody vine). Root system gets a good hold on the ground. They're white and tendril-like.

Lots of info here:

http://www.nysgextension.org/glhabit...wallowwort.pdf

Closeup of flower (leaf shot not very good, however)

Better shot of leaves, with seed pod

08-28-2009, 04:51 PM	#3
CrawfordCentury Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Somewhere betwixt Gonic and Chocorua Posts: 191 Thanks: 13 Thanked 30 Times in 21 Posts	Without pictures, ID is difficult - if not darned near impossible (even with pics it can be tough - I belong to a tree-related forum and we get all sorts of what kind of tree is this posts) On my property, I'm at war with Black swallow wort. It's a fast growing vine with purpley flowers. Thrives in the rich soiled shady environment of a back north facing slope adjacent to a brook. Just as tenacious as bittersweet (at least it's not a woody vine). Root system gets a good hold on the ground. They're white and tendril-like. Lots of info here: http://www.nysgextension.org/glhabit...wallowwort.pdf Closeup of flower (leaf shot not very good, however) Better shot of leaves, with seed pod __________________ Plant a garden. Heat with wood. And thank a veteran.

08-26-2009, 05:52 PM	#1
Coolbreeze Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 332 Thanks: 0 Thanked 51 Times in 26 Posts	NichNH, crown vetch is generally a non-climbing ground cover. It can be used along the roadsides for eroision control. The vine that is being described may be mile-a-minute, trumpet vine, oriental bittersweet (not likely based on the leaf description), some others may be nightshade or marijuana. (just kidding on the last choice) Pictures please.

08-26-2009, 08:28 PM	#2
Chickie Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 370 Thanks: 0 Thanked 68 Times in 39 Posts	I don’t believe it is Crown Vetch. I found a photo and information on the web, which shows Crown Vetch as having compound leaves with 15 – 25 leaflets on each. The leaflets are rounded at the ends and are only about three-quarters to an inch in length. What I have has compound leaves of five or seven to each stem and each leaflet is three to four inches in length. The leaves come to a point at the ends. The flowers are a rather dark mauve (perhaps more on the dark pink or maroon side) with some white on them. I was thinking it might be wild sweet pea vines, but I haven’t found it to be that either. I pull it out every year and it always returns. I may be gaining ground, however, as there isn't as much of it this year as in previous years. Coolbreeze - It isn't Trumpet Vine, Nightshade or Oriental Bittersweet. I'm really stumped on this. Sorry I can't provide photos.