Mikania micrantha vines invading and scrambling over other plants along Route 3, near Tung O Wan, Lamma Island, Hong Kong, China
Concrete pathways access Lamma Island and signs inform the walker of points of interest. A sign at this location, along Route 3, between Mo Tat Wan and Tung O Wan, is entitled 'Looking into Mikania'. Mikania micrantha, an herbaceous vine belonging to the Asteraceae family, is native to Central and South America. It grows rapidly and, being extremely hard to control, is regarded as one of the most invasive weeds in tropical regions. Seeds are rapidly dispersed by the wind. Roots branch out from nodes on its stems. Scrambling over other plants, it blocks out sunlight. so they wither and die. Mikania is not a threat to native trees when there are natural enemies to control its growth. But there are no natural enemies in Hong Kong, where the long hours of sunlight are ideal for its growth on the edges of abandoned farmland and new road cuttings. Mikania is an exotic plant highly destructive to Hong Kong's ecological environment. Walkers are asked not to spread the seeds by touching the plant.
Size: 3341px × 5032px
Location: Route 3 pathway, Tung O Wan, Lamma Island, Hong Kong, China
Photo credit: © robert harrison / Alamy / Afripics
License: Royalty Free
Model Released: No
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