Mikania scandens

Species category

Weed

Common name

climbing hempvine, climbing hempweed

Diagnostic characters

Planting unit

AcheneAchene:
A dry, hard, one-chambered, one-seeded indehiscent fruit, as in buckwheat (Fagopyrum) or sunflower (Helianthus). The fruit wall is not united with the seed coat.

Shape

Oblanceolate

Size

  • Length 2.1–2.3 mm
  • Width 0.4–0.5 mm
  • Thickness 0.4–0.5 mm

Color

Dark brown with light brown ribs

Texture

GlandularGlandular:
The surface appearing to be covered with minute glands or spheres.

Other structures

Scar at base is round and hollow.

Identification notes

PappusPappus:
Modified calyx in Asteraceae, composed of hairs, bristles, awns, or scales. The pappus-like structure attached to milkweed seeds is termed a coma. 
of many white and rough hairs.

Noxious weed seed categories

State Noxious Weed: Hawaii

AOSA examination list

Not included

Nomenclature

Family

Asteraceae

Valid name

Mikania scandens (L.) Willd.

Synonyms

Mikania angulosa Raf.
Mikania batatifolia auct. non DC.
Mikania scandens var. pubescens (Nutt.) Torr. & A. Gray
Willoughbya heterophylla Small

 Mikania scandens.  Achenes with a white pappus of many rough hairs. Photo by Julia Scher, USDA-APHIS-PPQ.
Mikania scandens. Achenes with a white pappus of many rough hairs. Photo by Julia Scher, USDA-APHIS-PPQ.
 Mikania scandens.  Achenes with a round and hollow scar at the base. Photo by Julia Scher, USDA-APHIS-PPQ.
Mikania scandens. Achenes with a round and hollow scar at the base. Photo by Julia Scher, USDA-APHIS-PPQ.