Mile-a-minute

Dipogon lignosus

On this page:

What does it look like? •
Why is it a pest? •
Responsibility for control •
Control methods •
More information

Management programme

Eradication

Objectives

Reduce the level of infestation of mile-a-minute within the Waikato region to zero density to prevent adverse effects and impacts.

Impacts

Biodiversity, amenity/recreation

Mile-a-minute, originally from South Africa, is a rapidly spreading climbing vine with pea-like flowers. Introduced as an ornamental species it has now spread into the wild, although there are only a few known locations of it in the Waikato region.

What does it look like?

Mile-a-minute is an evergreen, scrambling perennial climber.

Flower

Pea-like flowers (15mm) which can be pink, white, lavender, or reddish-purple.
Flowering occurs over a long period from July to January.

Fruit/seeds

Produces sickle-shaped seed pods (to 40mm long).
Pods can be found on the vines all year round.
Each pod, containing 4-6 seeds, splits when ripe to explosively release the seeds.

Leaves/stems

Leaves are made up of three triangular/heart-shaped leaflets.
Leaves up to 55mm long.
Leaf stems are moderately hair and woody towards their base.

Why is it a pest?

Mile-a-minute is a vigorously growing vine that can smother and kill low growing plants, shrubs, and trees. Forming blankets with its thick mat of stems, it eventually takes over areas by shading out desirable plants. It thrives in bare sites, with germination of its long-lived seeds stimulated by disturbance.

Mile-a-minute increases soil nitrogen (through symbiotic bacteria in its roots) in sites with naturally poor soils. This changes the species that can grow there to higher-fertility weedy communities, to the detriment of specialised native plants like orchids, ferns and herbs.

It can be spread via its seeds, most of which drop near the parent plant, but can also be dispersed more widely in contaminated soil and dumped garden waste. Mile-a-minute can invade coastal areas, cliffs, shrublands, limestone areas, and forest margins.

Responsibility for control

Waikato Regional Council is responsible for the control of mile-a-minute within the Waikato region. If you think you’ve seen it, call us – don’t try to control it yourself.

All occupiers are encouraged to report any sightings of mile-a-minute on their properties (rule MAM-1 of the Waikato Regional Pest Management Plan 2022-2032) and to liaise with the Waikato Regional Council in areas where control programmes are in place.

If mile-a-minute is present on a property that is to be subdivided or developed, there are additional rules and requirements that apply under section 6.6 of the RPMP 2022-2032.

Mile-a-minute is banned from being sold, propagated, distributed, or included in commercial displays.

Control methods

Waikato Regional Council is responsible for controlling mile-a-minute and it is illegal for anyone else to remove or disturb it.

If you see mile-a-minute on your property, do not cut, treat or try to remove it. Call 0800 800 401 to report it to your local biosecurity pest plant officer.