NATURE WORLD NEWS • August 20, 2023
Persicaria perfoliata (mile-a-minute), an invasive species that is native to India and eastern Asia, poses a threat to the plant life of Maine. The plant, an annual that has a growth rate of up to six inches per day, nonetheless poses a concern over the winter since latent seeds can still sprout. The plant uses its barbs to cling to native plants and prevent sunlight from reaching desirable plants, which causes great damage. The Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association's crop & conservation specialist, Caleb Goossen, stated that once it's established in a region, it's challenging to get rid of it. Additionally, dealing with it would be costly.