Question: Dear botanist, I found this growth of vines on a thickly vegetated trail bordering the Ipswich River in Reading, MA. …
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Question
Dear botanist, I found this growth of vines on a thickly vegetated trail bordering the Ipswich River in Reading, MA. It appears ready to take over. Can you identify it for me? Pictures were taken earlier this month. Thanks. --Stephan
Answer
Dear Stephan, good morning. The images you have posted depict Mikania scandens (climbing hempvine), a native member of the composite family that is related to the genus Eupatorium (thoroughwort). Because they are vines, they will die back to ground level every year and so they tend not to grow in a manner that topples large trees (like Oriental bittersweet and other lianas can do). Best wishes.
