Climbing hempweed (Mikania micrantha, Nov. Gen. Sp. 4: 105 (1818))

Family: Asteraceae

Author: Kunth

Bibliography: Nov. Gen. Sp. 4: 105 (1818)

Year: 1818

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Mikania

Vegetable: False

Observations: Trop. & Subtrop. America

Description

Climbing hempweed, scientifically known as Mikania micrantha, is a vigorous and perennial vine that belongs to the Asteraceae family. This fast-growing plant is notorious for its invasive tendencies, particularly in tropical and subtropical regions of the Americas where it flourishes in the warm and humid climate.

First described by Kunth in 1818 in “Nov. Gen. Sp. 4: 105,” climbing hempweed has since been studied extensively due to its significant environmental and agricultural impact. The plant features heart-shaped leaves and small, creamy-white flowers that grow in tight clusters, often forming dense mats that can engulf other vegetation. These dense mats can smother native plants, leading to decreased biodiversity. The rapid growth and spread of Mikania micrantha pose a threat to agriculture because it can overrun crops, reduce yields, and increase the cost of weed management.

Climbing hempweed reproduces both sexually, via seeds, and vegetatively, through stem fragments, making it remarkably resilient and difficult to control. Its seeds are dispersed by the wind and water, allowing the plant to spread over considerable distances quickly. Furthermore, the plant’s stems can root at the nodes when they come into contact with the soil, enabling new plants to establish themselves from just a small cutting.

Efforts to manage Mikania micrantha include mechanical removal, chemical herbicides, and biological control methods. However, each approach has its challenges. Mechanical methods are labor-intensive and often only provide temporary relief, as the plant can resprout easily. Chemical treatments may harm non-target species and lead to environmental concerns. Biological control, such as introducing natural enemies like insects or pathogens that target Mikania micrantha, is a promising but complex strategy requiring careful implementation to avoid unintended ecological consequences.

Despite its problematic nature, climbing hempweed’s rapid growth and dense foliage provide interesting study opportunities for researchers looking to understand invasive species dynamics and develop effective management strategies. Understanding the biology and ecology of Mikania micrantha is crucial in mitigating its spread and protecting native ecosystems and agricultural areas from its invasive reach.

Common Names

Eng: chinese creeper, mile-a-minute, bittervine, climbing hempweed, mikania-vine, mile-a-minute weed
Msa: selaput tunggul
Fra: liane americaine, liane-serpent
En: Climbing hempweed, Mikania-vine, Mile-a-minute, Bittervine, Chinese creeper, Mile-a-minute Weed, American rope, Bitter tally, Bitter-tally, Falso Guaco, Mikenia, Bitter vine
Zh: Wei gan ju, 小花蔓泽兰, 小花蔓澤蘭, 薇甘菊
Fr: Liane-serpent, Liane americaine, Baume céleste, Herbe margoze
De: Chinesischer Sommerefeu
Ht: Bwa zamann
Ms: Selaput tunggul
Ml: ധൃതരാഷ്ട്രപ്പച്ച
Pt: Guaco
Pt-br: Guaco-verdadeiro, Carobinha
Es: Guaco falso
Su: Areuy
Zh-tw: 小花蔓澤蘭
Th: ขี้ไก่ย่าน
Zh-hant: 小花蔓澤蘭

Synonyms

• Mikania variabilis (Meyen & Walp.)
• Eupatorium orinocense ((Kunth) M.Gómez)
• Mikania micrantha var. cynanchifolia (B.L.Rob.)
• Mikania micrantha f. hirsuta (B.L.Rob.)
• Mikania micrantha f. typica (B.L.Rob.)
• Willoughbya scandens var. orinocensis ((Kunth) Kuntze)
• Mikania subcymosa (Gardner)
• Mikania sinuata (Rusby)
• Mikania umbellifera (Gardner)
• Mikania denticulata ((Vahl) Willd.)
• Mikania glechomifolia (Sch.Bip. ex Baker)
• Willoughbya heterophylla (Small)
• Mikania subcrenata (Hook. & Arn.)
• Eupatorium denticulatum (Vahl)
• Mikania cordata var. indica (Kitam.)
• Willoughbya variabilis (Kuntze)
• Willoughbya micrantha (Rusby)
• Mikania scandens var. subcymosa ((Gardner) Baker)
• Mikania deltoides (Poepp. ex Spreng.)
• Mikania scandens var. villosa (Hieron.)
• Mikania scandens var. umbellifera ((Gardner) Baker)
• Mikania tamoides (DC.)
• Mikania scandens var. hirsuta (Hieron.)
• Mikania orinocensis (Kunth)
• Eupatorium orinocense var. batatifolium (M.Gómez)
• Eupatorium orinocense var. tamoides (M.Gómez)

Distribution

• Argentina Northeast (native)
• Argentina Northwest (native)
• Belize (native)
• Bolivia (native)
• Brazil North (native)
• Brazil Northeast (native)
• Brazil South (native)
• Brazil Southeast (native)
• Brazil West-Central (native)
• Colombia (native)
• Costa Rica (native)
• Cuba (native)
• Dominican Republic (native)
• Ecuador (native)
• El Salvador (native)
• Florida (native)
• French Guiana (native)
• Guatemala (native)
• Guyana (native)
• Haiti (native)
• Honduras (native)
• Jamaica (native)
• Leeward Is. (native)
• Mexico Central (native)
• Mexico Gulf (native)
• Mexico Northeast (native)
• Mexico Northwest (native)
• Mexico Southeast (native)
• Mexico Southwest (native)
• Nicaragua (native)
• Panamá (native)
• Paraguay (native)
• Peru (native)
• Puerto Rico (native)
• Suriname (native)
• Trinidad-Tobago (native)
• Uruguay (native)
• Venezuela (native)
• Windward Is. (native)
• Assam (introduced)
• Caroline Is. (introduced)
• Chagos Archipelago (introduced)
• China Southeast (introduced)
• Christmas I. (introduced)
• East Himalaya (introduced)
• Fiji (introduced)
• India (introduced)
• Laccadive Is. (introduced)
• Malaya (introduced)
• Mauritius (introduced)
• Myanmar (introduced)
• Nansei-shoto (introduced)
• Nepal (introduced)
• Niue (introduced)
• Philippines (introduced)
• Queensland (introduced)
• Réunion (introduced)
• Samoa (introduced)
• Sumatera (introduced)
• Taiwan (introduced)
• Thailand (introduced)

Additional Images

Leaf

Taken May 16, 2020 by prasun sarkar (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 24, 2020 by Flo Mertensia (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 24, 2020 by Flo Mertensia (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 28, 2020 by jay cee (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 22, 2021 by Sanjay Pal (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken Oct 12, 2022 by Blue Bottle (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 1, 2022 by ben vc (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Carrington, S. (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Feb 28, 2017 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 28, 2017 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Bark

Taken Jul 29, 2015 by OTS – Oviedo-Brenes, Federico (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Nov 11, 2022 by Ronan Gamero (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Apr 29, 2016 by Thomas Delhotal (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 29, 2016 by Thomas Delhotal (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 29, 2016 by laurence comte (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 28, 2017 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 28, 2017 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Apr 18, 2020 by Amado Rosane (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 18, 2020 by Amado Rosane (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Apr 17, 2019 by OTS – R. Aguilar (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Apr 17, 2019 by OTS – R. Aguilar (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Nov 19, 2004 by Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh – Bhaskar Adhikari (cc-by-nc)

Taken Jan 19, 1996 by Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh – Bhaskar Adhikari (cc-by-nc)

Taken Jan 20, 2012 by EOL − Carina Chicaiza (cc-by-nc)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• WFO (No URL)
• WFO (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/5398421)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:161051-2)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Mikania micrantha Kunth)

Specifications

Growth habit: Vine

Growth