Asteraceae

Mikania micrantha

Common Names: Mikania vine

Plant Form: Fast-growing vine, sometimes creeping. Size: Scrambles up to 20 m high. Stem: Slender, ribbed. Leaves: Opposite, undivided, narrowly heart-shaped to triangular, coarsely toothed edges, hairless, 4-13 cm long. Flowers: Small, white fluffy flowerheads in rich branched clusters, without obvious petals. Fruit and Seeds: Up to 2 mm long, black, five-angled with brownish ribs, glands on the surface between the ribs, and white parachuting hairs at the end. Habitat: Agricultural areas, coastal scrub, forests, plantations, riverbanks, wetlands. Distinguishing Features: The lack of obvious petals distinguish from most lookalikes such as Climbing Groundsel (Senecio angulatus) and Old Man’s Beard (Clematis vitalba). Impacts: Grows incredibly fast, smothering and outcompeting native vegetation and crops.

Leaves

Flowers are white and small

Vine smothering other plants