Invasive Species The Dirty Dozen Plus Friends Paul Dolan Small Forest are A Big Deal

Invasive Plants Japanese Stiltgrass Microstegium vimineum Invasive Plants

What is an Invasive? Invasive species: Non-native species that have become dominant elements of natural communities, and have caused, or have the potential to cause economic damage, environmental harm or pose human health risks.

Invasive Characteristics Fast Fast Tolerate wide range of environ. conditions Tolerate wide range of environ. conditions Prolific Reproduction Prolific Reproduction Long growing season Long growing season Excellent Dispersers Excellent Dispersers Change ecosystems in their favor Change ecosystems in their favor Great Competitors Great Competitors

How did they arrive?

Norway Maple

Norway Maple Acer platanoides Europe Europe Introduced as ornamental for urban hardiness Introduced as ornamental for urban hardiness Allelopathic chemicals decrease undergrowth and can increase soil erosion Allelopathic chemicals decrease undergrowth and can increase soil erosion Still sold widely Still sold widely

Ailanthus

Tree of Heaven Ailanthus altissima Originally from China Originally from China Introduced as ornamental and for erosion control (1784) Introduced as ornamental and for erosion control (1784) Prolific seeder and root sprouts Prolific seeder and root sprouts Suppresses other species with allelopathic chemicals Suppresses other species with allelopathic chemicals Foul odor, can damage structures, infrastructure Foul odor, can damage structures, infrastructure

Garlic Mustard

Garlic Mustard Alliaria petiolata Europe Europe Introduced as an edible culinary herb (1868) Introduced as an edible culinary herb (1868) Flowers and seed from young plants Flowers and seed from young plants Threatens native wildflowers Threatens native wildflowers Threat to some endangered species Threat to some endangered species Allelopathic chemicals harm helpful soil fungi that help native plants Allelopathic chemicals harm helpful soil fungi that help native plants

Japanese Barberry

Japanese Barberry Berberis thunbergii Japan Japan Introduced as ornamental Introduced as ornamental Numerous seeds with high germination rate, transported by birds and small mammals Numerous seeds with high germination rate, transported by birds and small mammals Alters soil pH, nitrogen, and biological activity Alters soil pH, nitrogen, and biological activity Displaces wildlife forage (deer will not browse it) Displaces wildlife forage (deer will not browse it) Host for Black Rust (disease of wheat) Host for Black Rust (disease of wheat)

Japanese Bittersweet

Oriental Bittersweet Celastrus orbiculatus Eastern Aisia, Japan Eastern Aisia, Japan Introduced to prevent soil erosion (1879), decorative fruits Introduced to prevent soil erosion (1879), decorative fruits Growing vine chokes other vegetation, and can cause trees to uproot Growing vine chokes other vegetation, and can cause trees to uproot Supplanting American bittersweet (competition, hybrids) Supplanting American bittersweet (competition, hybrids)

Black Swallow-Wort

Black Swallow Wort Cynanchum louiseae Southwestern Europe Southwestern Europe Introduced in Essex, MA botanical garden (1854) Introduced in Essex, MA botanical garden (1854) Crowds other species in old fields (e.g. cool season grasses), disrupts grassland bird populations Crowds other species in old fields (e.g. cool season grasses), disrupts grassland bird populations Also propagates via rhizomes making patchy clumps Also propagates via rhizomes making patchy clumps Disrupts Monarch Butterfly Disrupts Monarch Butterfly Jessup Milk Vetch (listed) Jessup Milk Vetch (listed)

Autumn Olive

Autumn Olive Elaeagnus umbellata Introduced from East Asia & Japan Introduced from East Asia & Japan Invades old fields and disturbed sites Invades old fields and disturbed sites Crowds other plants Crowds other plants Key Identifiers Key Identifiers Large bush, small tree Large bush, small tree Silver shimmering leaves Silver shimmering leaves

Burning Bush

Winged Burning Bush Edges and old fields Edges and old fields Key Identifiers Key Identifiers Corky ridges (wings) along stems Corky ridges (wings) along stems Bright red foliage Bright red foliage Confused with some blueberries or winged elm (dormant) Confused with some blueberries or winged elm (dormant) Mechanical removal Mechanical removal Chemical applications to cut stems Chemical applications to cut stems

Winged Burning Bush Euonymus alatus East Asia, Japan East Asia, Japan Introduced as an ornamental Introduced as an ornamental Spreads by roots and animal dispersed seeds Spreads by roots and animal dispersed seeds

Japanese Honey Suckle Lonicera japonica

Bush Honeysuckles Amur, Bells, Morrow, and Tartarian Lonicera spp. Originally from Eurasia Originally from Eurasia Introduced for ornamental, wildlife, and erosion control Introduced for ornamental, wildlife, and erosion control Crowds other species (sunlight and water) Crowds other species (sunlight and water) Seeds are disseminated by birds Seeds are disseminated by birds Seeds have lower fat content for migratory birds Seeds have lower fat content for migratory birds

Japanese Knotweed

Japanese Knotweed Fallopia japonica Japan Japan Introduced Introduced Edible and desirable to beekeepers Edible and desirable to beekeepers Excludes native plants Excludes native plants Prolific root sprouts Prolific root sprouts Winged seeds Winged seeds

Multiflora Rose

Multiflora Rose Rosa multiflora Japan Japan Introduced as an ornamental (1836), NRCS used it for erosion control in 1930s Introduced as an ornamental (1836), NRCS used it for erosion control in 1930s Forms dense, thorny thickets Forms dense, thorny thickets Fruits dispersed by birds Fruits dispersed by birds

EUROPEAN BUCKTHORN

Common Buckthorn Rhamnus cathartica Originally Africa, Europe, Asia Originally Africa, Europe, Asia Introduced as ornamental, fence rows, and wildlife cover (1800’s) Introduced as ornamental, fence rows, and wildlife cover (1800’s) Even-aged thickets crowd shrubs and herbaceous species Even-aged thickets crowd shrubs and herbaceous species Abundant fruit and seeds are spread through the guts of birds and small mammals. Abundant fruit and seeds are spread through the guts of birds and small mammals.

Sycamore Maple

Phragmities

Common Reed aka Phragmites Fallopia japonica Eurasia Eurasia Introduction as discarded ships’ ballast in 1700’s and 1800’s Introduction as discarded ships’ ballast in 1700’s and 1800’s Rapidly invades marsh communities (roots spread 10 ft per year) Rapidly invades marsh communities (roots spread 10 ft per year) Alters hydrology Alters hydrology Alters wildlife habitat Alters wildlife habitat Fire hazard Fire hazard

Mile A Minute Vine

Mile-a-minute vine, Persicaria perfoliata (Polygonum perfoliatum) Annual clinging vine of open, moist habitats Fruit is buoyant Impacts to riverine systems, emergent wetlands, and early successional habitat Triangular leaf, minutely toothed along the margin Blue-green color Downward facing prickles Blue berries Perfoliate leaf supports a terminal flowering stalk

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