Silverlace Vine

Polygonum aubertii

Silverlace Vine

Family: Polygonaceae 

Other Scientific Names:

Fallopia baldschuanica


Other Common Names: Russian vine, Bukhara fleeceflower, Chinese fleecevine, mile-a-minute and silver lace vine
Weed class: monitor list
Year Listed: 2012
Native to: Asia
Is this Weed Toxic?:

humans, livestock


Why Is It a Noxious Weed?

This plant is on the monitor list - it is not a listed noxious weed in Washington. Please contact Erin Haley (erin.haley@kingcounty.gov) to report locations or for more information.

How would I identify it?

General Description

Silver lace vine is a deciduous vine with alternate, simple leaves. Stems can grow over 25 feet long.

Flower Description

Flowers are small, greenish-white to pink and arranged in panicles.

Leaf description

Arrow shaped leaves can get 1.5 to 4 inches long

Stem description

The long, thin, twisting stems are reddish to green, and can grow over 35 feet long.

Fruit Seed Description

Fruits are small achenes, around 2mm in size, shiny and black.

Where does it grow?

Full sun to partial shade, this vining plant will grow over fences, trees, hillsides, and desired vegetation. 

How Does it Reproduce?

Seed and vegetatively from fragments left behind and rhizomes

How Do I Control It?

Manual removal is difficult, because root or stem fragments can resprout, and they break easily as the stems tangle together and with their environment. Herbicide is difficult to use, as these vines typically are growing over other vegetation, and most herbicide treatments will harm both the vine and any desired plants underneath. 

For More Information

Information on silverlace vine from the UW Herbarium image database

Information from the King County Noxious Weed Control Program

Additional Photos