Japanese stilt grass (Microstegium vimineum) in Massachusetts
Mile-a-minute vine (Polygonum perfoliatum) in Western Connecticut
Ornamentla Jewelweed (Impatiens glandulifera) in Maine

Japanese stilt grass (Microstegium vimineum)

The first documentation of this species in Massachusetts came from a public park in West Springfield in 1998. Volunteers have worked to control the plant at this location since 2000, and have achieved a significant reduction in the amount of plants in this area, but new micro-infestations appear each year along the Westfield River.  In the last several years, additional populations have been found in  the towns of Millville, Mendon, and Longmeadow, Massachusetts.  In 2005, staff and volunteers hand-pulled plants from the populations in West Springfield, Longmeadow, and Milville, and were able to remove all the observed plants in West Springfield and Longmeadow. Management at the Millville location has been less successful since Microstegium has spread extensively through numerous ATV trails and powerlines. This year NEWFS has scheduled work days for August 7th-11th and September 12. See the contact information below if you would like to assist in this effort.

Contact person: Ailene Kane
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Mile-a-minute vine (Polygonum perfoliatum)

Mile-a-minute vine was first reported in Connecticut in 2000 from Greenwich. Since then additional populations have been found in Fairfield and Litchfield Counties. Some of the new sites in the region were reported in response to publicity surrounding the first control effort in 2005 in New Milford, CT. Betsy Corrigan and Kathleen Nelson continue to organize the control efforts, including manual removal of the plant by volunteers and the continuous monitoring of the sites.

Contact person: Betsy Corrigan
More information on Mile-a-minute vine

Ornamental jewelweed (Impatiens glandulifera)

Ornamental jewelweed has a limited distribution in New England, with the great majority of populations in coastal Maine (especially Knox county). In 2004 IPANE was alerted of two populations much farther inland, in Farmington, Maine. In the summers of 2005 and 2006, IPANE and NEWFS Plant Consevation Volunteers gathered to hand-pull the two populations of Ornamental jewelweed plants in Farmington. This effort is aimed at keeping the plant from spreading out of the coastal areas where it is established.

Contact person: Ailene Kane
More information on Ornamental jewelweed