Mile a minute weed smothering native species on Vanuatu. (Mikania micrantha) Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu

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Mile-a-minute weed grows rapidly, scrambling over shrubs and other vegetation, blocking the foliage of covered plants from available light, and reducing their ability to photosynthesize, which stresses and weakens them. If left unchecked, the lack of photosynthesis will kill a plant. Large infestations of mile-a-minute weed eventually reduce native plant species in natural areas. Small populations of extremely rare plants may be eliminated entirely. It is also believed to have been introduced in Pacific Islands such as Vanuatu by the American Army for camouflage during World War II.

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Size: 3523px × 5431px
Location: Vatthe Conservation Area, Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu
Photo credit: © Nick Turner / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

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