Reward offered for Mile-a-Minute vines

MIDDLETOWN — Mile-a-Minute vine is a highly aggressive, non-native invasive plant that is beginning to invade the Hudson Valley. Isolated pockets of this vine have been found in Orange County. Like Kudzu in the south, Mile-a-Minute vine grows rapidly, up to 6 inches per day and can reach over 20 feet in one year. During the month of September, Cornell Cooperative Extension Orange County is rewarding residents for samples of Mile-a-Minute vines found in Orange County. Bring samples to the Cornell Cooperative Extension Diagnostic Lab, 1 Ashley Ave, Middletown. There is no charge for the identification of the vines. To collect a sample: clip only a 2-3 foot section, being careful not to displace the berries. Get as many leaves and berries on the sample as possible. Place in a sealed plastic bag. Mile-a-Minute vine has triangular shaped leaves that are 1-3 inches wide with a circular leaf structure (ocrea) surrounding the stem. The vines have downward facing prickles on both the stems and leaves and the plant has iridescent blueberry like fruit. All entries will receive a complementary copy of Gardening in Orange County. The first six positively identified samples will receive their choice of either a free Agriculture Department subscription or a free Agriculture department workshop. Visit www.cce.cornell.edu/orange for complete contest details and more information about this invasive plant. Or call Cornell Cooperative Extension’s garden helpline at 343-0664.