Mikania scandens (L.) Willd.

Climbing Hempvine; Climbing Hempweed

Herb

Perennial

Vascular

Climbing Hempvine is a native perennial in the Sunflower family (Asteraceae). It can be found throughout Alabama. Climbing Hempvine occurs along streams and rivers, on the banks of ponds and lakes, along sloughs and in wet roadside ditches. It is an herbaceous, twining vine reaching lengths of 20 feet or more. Stems are slightly angled to round and glabrous to pubescent. Leaves are opposite, petiolate, triangular to ovate in outline, with undulate to toothed margins and cordate bases. Flowers are produced in heads. The heads are arranged in corymbs. The heads contains 4 disc flowers. The flowers are white, pinkish, or purplish in color. The fruit is an achene. Climbing Hempvine is a larval food plant for the Little Metalmark Butterfly (Calephelis virginiensis). Climbing Hempvine is occasionally available from native plant nurseries. It tends to be aggressive and often spreads to other areas of the garden by its wind dispersed seed. It prefers a wet or moist soil and full to partial sun. Plants will need a trellis or other support on which to grow.--A. Diamond

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Native FACW+ (NWPL)

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