Rapidly growing vine spotted in 5 more Conn. towns

NEW LONDON, Conn. (AP) — A rapidly growing invasive weed that chokes out native plants and damages habitat for native wildlife has been found in five more Connecticut towns.

The Day of New London reports that the so-called mile-a-minute vine, which initially was been confirmed in dozens of Connecticut towns, is spreading in southeastern Connecticut.

Scientists at the University of Connecticut, state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection and Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station are trying to control the spread of the weed.

The vine, with heart-shaped leaves, spreads by seeds and quickly grows into dense mats that smother native vegetation.

Scientists at UConn and the experiment station released a weevil at several sites in 2009 as a biological control against the vine.

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Information from: The Day