NCSO invasive plants Terrestrial species

Japanese Climbing Fern map

Alabama, South Carolina, Florida, Georgia

English Ivy map

California, Oregon, Washington, Florida, South Carolina, Alabama, Tennessee, Kentucky, Illinois

Houndstongue map

California, Oregon, Washington, Nevada, Idaho, Montana, Colorado, Wyoming, Wisconsin

Autumn olive (Elaeagnus umbellata)

Common name: Autumn Olive Originated from: East Asia Invasive in: Wisconsin and from Amin to Virginia Why : Elaeagnus umbellata was introduced to grow in deforested and degraded areas, and for improving wildlife habitats Introduced:1830 Description: egg-shaped dull green leaves with yellow and red fruits that bloom in the summer and early fall. This berrys are brown or covered in silvery scales. Habitat: Open woodlands and disturbed areas, it can thrive on very little resources Impact: it grows quickly and shades other plants that need sunlight which kill the plants surrounding it How to stop its growth: pull out the roots/cut it down (this may not be effective depending on the size of the plant), or apply herbicides daily until eradicated

Beach Vitex (Vitex rotundifolia)

Common name: Beach Vitex Originated from : Asia Introduced: 1990 Invasive in : Along the coast of the Pacific Why: to prevent erosion on the coast Description: long stems, with short grey green leaves on the ends, with small purple flower buds on the ends Habitat: sand dunes in coastal regions/ shorelines Impact: This plant traps young sea turtles and prevents them from reaching the shore, and it pushes out the native species How to stop it's growth: cutting the plant down then applying imazapyr on it to control it

Bicolor lespedeza (Lespedeza bicolor)

Common name: Bicolor lespedeza Originated from: China Invasive in: Ontario, Nebraska, Texas Introduced: Why: To provide shelter for prey, field builders, and for decoration Description: a bush with oval green leaves and purple-pink buds. Habitat: can grow in many dry habitats, but it especially grows in disturbed areas, (including areas recently burned down) Impact: it prevents the growth of the plants surrounding it How to stop it's growth: digging it up or spraying it with glyphosate and surfactant solution for a couple months until under control again

Canada thistle (Cirsium arvense)

Common name: Canada Thistle Originated from: South East Europe, and the eastern Mediterranean region Introduced: It was introduced to North America in the 17th century Why: It was brought to North America in the 17th century to cure tuberculosis, and used in remedies for worms and poison ivy. Habitat: agricultural areas, riparian zones,disturbed areas, urban areas and wetlands Description: It has branched stems that are hairy, with prickly pointed leaves and from October to June purple/lavender or white beds can bloom. Seeds have a feathery pappus and are called achenes. Impact: They can change the structure of a habitat, displacing native vegetation, and competing for resources with native species. How to stop it's growth: apply herbicides for a long period of time.

Chinese Tallow (Triadica sebifera)

Common name: Chinese Tallow Originated from: China Introduced: 1776 Why: Triadica Sebifera was introduced for ornamental purposes and seed oil production Habitat: natural forests, planted forests, range/grasslands, disturbed areas and wetlands Description: a deciduous tree with heart shaped leaves, yellow flowers from April to June, clustered fruit at the end of the branches and inside the fruit is white seeds. Impact: it quickly invades forests, displaces native vegetation, and alters the soil with high amounts of tannins. How to stop it's growth: burning the triadica sebifera

Chinese privet (Ligustrum sinense)

Common name: Chinese privet Originated from: China Introduced: 1852 Why: it was brought for it's beauty, and to be used as hedges. Habitat: agricultural areas, coastland, natural forests, riparian zones,disturbed areas,shrublands, urban areas, water courses, wetlands Description: a small tree, with smooth white/grey bark, it's twigs are skinny, grey/green, leaves are oval shaped, and the fruit produced on them is round and purple to black. Impact: it shades out native vegetation, it is toxic to animals and may have a bad effect on the quality of water. How to stop it's growth: for smaller ligustrum sinense you can uproot it, or for larger bushes, applying herbicides will kill it.

Common Teasel (Dipsacus fullonum)

Common name: Common Teasel Originated from: Europe Introduced: 1800's Why: for the making of fabrics in the textile process, it also may have been introduced on accident Habitat: riparian (river) areas, meadows, grasslands, savannahs, forest openings and disturbed sites and the upper reaches of salt marshes. Description: can grow up to 2 meters tall, biennial (lives 2 years, flowers and blooms on the second year), prickles on the stem, egg shaped prickly flower heads with purple flowers growing on the heads. Impact: crowds out native species How to stop it's growth: using glyphosate, or cutting the plant at the root

English Ivy (Hedera Helix)

Common name: English Ivy Originated from: Europe, western Asia, and northern Africa Why: it's sold for ornamental purposes and for ground cover, (to protect the ground from erosion and drought) Habitat: river banks, road sides, natural forests, plantations, orchards, disturbed areas, and coastal areas. Description: an evergreen vine with heart shaped pointed leaves, 10 inches across, it grows very rapidly, and has small green/yellow flowers that bloom in June to October Impact: blocks sunlight from reaching plants, competes for resources with native plants, is mildly toxic to mammals and species living around it, and can climb up trees and plants sucking the nutrients out of them, killing the plant in the process How to stop it's growth:cut down the ivy then spray with 5% solution of glyphosate with surfactant

Giant Hogweed (Heracleum mantegazzianum)

Common name: Giant Hogweed Originated from: The western Caucasus Mountains of Georgia, Azerbaijan, and southern Russian Federation Why: For its ornamental value, especially for botanical gardens, Habitat: agricultural areas, natural forests, planted forests, range/grasslands, riparian zones,ruderal/disturbed, shrublands, urban areas Description: 3 to 4 meters in height, the leaves decrease in height as they go up the plant, stems are rigid, and small white umbrellaed flowers growing on them Impact: it produces a toxic sap which can cause blindness, blisters, scarring and eye irritation, it competes with native plants for resources, and may change the composition of the soil How to stop its growth: cutting/pulling up the weed before it gets too large, and glyphosate, triclopyr and imazapyr but all must be applied early in the season (March to May) for best effect

Houndstongue (Cynoglossum officinale)

Common name: Houndstongue Originated from: Most of Europe, Russia, Iran, Turkey, and West Asia Why: To be put on external wounds and injuries, and to cure cough. Introduced: 1893 Habitat: agricultural areas, coastland, range/grasslands, riparian zones, ruderal/disturbed, scrub/shrublands Description: woody roots, big hairy rough leaves, red/purple, 5 petal flowers, resembles dogs tongue, about one meter tall, and has triangular seed covered in prickles. Impact: Infects pastures and rangelands, and is toxic to the livestock grazing there. Can cause the livestock liver problems due to the toxic alkaloids in it. How to stop it's growth: Dig it up before it sprouts, applying herbicides, plant grass near it, so to make it less competitive and slow down its growth, or apply surfactants.

Japanese Climbing Fern (Lygodium japonica)

Common name: Japanese Climbing Fern Originated from: Asia and Australia Why: an ornamental Introduced: 1900's Habitat: estuarine habitats, lakes, natural forests, planted forests, riparian zones, ruderal/disturbed, water courses, wetlands Description: up to 90 feet long, vine like and thin vines, with opposite triangular leaves, it produces small spores that make it hard to get rid of Impact: Suffocates native plants, blocking the sunlight, and climbs up trees, helping to spread forest fires, because of its flammability. How to stop it's growth: Apply herbicides with glyphosate to the plant.

Japanese Honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica)

Common name: Japanese Honeysuckle Originated from: East Asia Why:Its ornamental value and control erosion Introduced:1800 Habitat: natural forests, ruderal/disturbed, urban areas Description: evergreen, leaves come to a point at their end, april to june small white yellow flowers bloom, small green fruits bloom, contains 2-12 seeds. Impact: Crowds out native species How to stop its growth: burning the seedlings, pulling up or hoeing the plant, or 1.5% glyphosate applied shortly after the first frost.

Japanese Spiraea (Spiraea japonica)

Common name: Japanese Spiraea Originated from: Eastern Asia Why: An ornamental Introduced: 1870's Habitat: agricultural areas, natural forests, planted forests, riparian zones, ruderal/disturbed, urban areas Description: a deciduous shrub 2 meters in height, with red/brown hairy stems, egg shaped 1-3 in leaves, and attractive rosy/pink flowers at the end Impact: spreads quickly, and crowds out native species How to stop it's growth: cutting down the plant, or pulling it up, 2% solution of glyphosate with water

Japanese Stilt grass (Microstegium vimineum)

Common name: Japanese Stilt grass Originated from: Asia Why: as packing material for shipments from China Introduced:1919 Habitat:agricultural areas, natural forests, riparian zones, ruderal/disturbed, urban areas, water courses, wetlands Description: pale green, lance shaped droopy leaves, small flowers at the top of the leaves, with small fruits from September to October Impact: forms dense stands, and crowds out native species How to stop its growth: pull it up or apply herbicides

Johnsongrass (Sorghum halepense)

Common name: Johnsongrass Originated from: Europe's Mediterranean region Why: as a forage (for food and or provisions) Introduced: 1800's Habitat: agricultural areas, ruderal/disturbed Description: tall, 2 ft long lance shaped leaves, clustered purple flowers, panicles, fruits found inside panicle/cluster Impact: its height allows it to shade out native species, increases the speed and size of roadside fires and may affect some native species using allelopathic chemicals, causing the plant to stop germinating. It also has been proven to be toxic to grazing livestock. How to stop it's growth: Apply glyphosate and dalapon, to control its growth. Digging the plant up, is also effective if that is possible. Burning it may also be an effective method of control.

Kudzu (Pueraria montana var lobata)

Common name: Kudzu Originated from: Asia Why: an ornamental and erosion control Introduced: late 1800's Habitat: agricultural areas, natural forests, planted forests, range/grasslands, riparian zones, ruderal/disturbed, scrub/shrublands, urban areas Description: long climbing deciduous vine, up to over 100ft, 15 cm, has hairy bottom to leaves, purple flowers hang in clusters in midsummer, brown, hairy, flat fruits, Impact: largely crowds out native species, shades out/kills native species, climbs trees, suffocating them and shades out vegetation. How to stop it's growth: burning/pulling it up is effective in small cases but larger cases must be dealt with methods like chemical control including Clopyralid, picloram, triclopyr, metsulfuron and tebuthiuron used in correct and moderate amounts.

Mimosa (Albizia julibrissin)

Common name: Mimosa Originated from: Eurasia Why: to be used as a gardening plant, now used as an ornamental Introduced: 1900's Habitat: coastland, riparian zones, ruderal/disturbed, urban areas Description: small tree 10-50 ft tall, pink fragrant flowers grouped at the ends of the branches, delicate leaves that resemble ferns Impact: crowds out native species, and grows back quickly, making it hard to remove Management: cut it down and apply glyphosate and triclopyr in moderate quantities

Callery pear (Pyrus calleryana)

Common name: callery pear Originated from: China, Japan, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Republic of Korea, Taiwan, and Vietnam. Introduced: 1909 Why: Pyrus calleryana was introduced to the United States because the department of agriculture was trying to develop a resistance in pears to the disease fire blight. Then later it was used because of its ornamental value with it's flowers blooming in early Spring. Description: it is a deciduous tree, with white flowers in the Spring, and small, hard, tan fruits blooming on them. Habitat: it can grow in natural forests, planted forests, range/grasslands, disturbed areas, shrublands, and urban areas. It will grow better with more water and sunlight, but it can survive on little water and light. Impact: It suffocates the native plants around it, competing for resources and blocking sunlight from reaching native plants. How to stop it's growth: seedling's can be uprooted with moist soil, and trees can be cut down and treated with systemic glyphosate or triclopyr-based herbicide.

Garlic Mustard (Alliaria petiolata)

Common name:Garlic mustard Originated from: Europe Why: for culinary and medical purposes, and to stop erosion in certain places Introduced: 1868 Habitat: natural forests, planted forests, riparian zones, disturbed areas and urban areas Description: small, 6 mm in length, the leaves are triangle shaped, small white flowers bloom with four petals Impact: Competes with native species for resources, host diseases and give them to native plants, and threatens butterfly's, when they lay their eggs on the garlic mustard, not letting the butterfly eggs completed development How to stop it's growth: Applying herbicides during dormant season, cutting it down and burning it are all options to get rid of the garlic mustard

Air potato (Dioscorea bulbifera)

Common names: Air potato Originated from: Asia and Africa Introduced: 1770's Invasive in: Florida, Alabama and Georgia Why: Dioscorea bulbifera was introduced, because people wanted it to be used as a crop and for decorative purposes (ornamental value) Description: green heart shaped leaves, twisting vines, can reach above 70 feet, with many potato shaped plants growing on it Habitat: invades open or disturbed areas, a place recently burned down etc, Impact: it surrounds and suffocates native plants around it How to stop it's growth : Cut down or burn the vine including all bulbs, spraying dioscorea bulbifera with the herbicide glyphosate will help control it.

Yellow Toadflax (Linaria vulgaris)

Family: Figwort (Scrophulariaceae) Other Names: butter and eggs, wild snapdragon, common toadflax USDA Code: LIVU2 Legal Status: Colorado Noxious Weed List B Lifecycle: Perennial Growth form: Forb Flower: Flowers are bright yellow and resemble snapdragons. Flowers are arranged in a raceme at the ends of branches. Seeds/Fruit: Seed capsules are round-ovate, 0.3-0.5 in long, and two-celled. Seeds are brown or black, circular, and surrounded by a notched wing. Leaves: Leaves are narrow, lance-shaped, soft, and pale green. Leaves are mainly alternate but lower leaves appear to be opposite due to crowding. Stems: Mature yellow toadflax plants are 1-3 ft tall with 1-25 smooth erect floral stems. Roots: Taproots may be up to 3 ft long. horizontal roots may grow to be several yards long, and can develop adventitious buds that may form independent plants. Seedling: No information available. Other: Closely related to Dalmatian toadflax (Linaria dalmatica). Impacts Agricultural: Yellow toadflax contains a poisonous glucoside that is reported to be mildly poisonous to cattle (Morishita 1991). However, the plant is considered unpalatable and reports of livestock poisonings are rare. Ecological: Yellow toadflax is quick to establish in open sites and is capable of adapting growth to a wide range of environmental conditions. Yellow toadflax aggressively forms colonies through adventitious buds from creeping root systems. These colonies can push out native grasses and other perennials, thereby altering and simplifying the species composition of natural communities and reducing forage production for livestock and wildlife. Habitat and Distribution General requirements: Yellow toadflax has a highly variable habitat that depends on environmental factors such as shading, grazing, and soil type (Saner et al. 1995). Distribution: Yellow toadflax now occurs throughout the continental United States and in every Canadian province and territory (Saner et al. 1995). In Colorado, yellow toadflax is widespread. It is typically found from 6,000 to 8,500 feet, but can be found up to 10,000 feet. Historical: Yellow toadflax was introduced from Eurasia as an ornamental. Biology/Ecology Life cycle: Spring emergence occurs around mid-April and depends primarily on temperature. A smaller flush of seedlings can occur in the fall. Prostrate stems emerge in September and produce leaves that are egg-shaped, 0.9-1.5 in. Prostrate stems are tolerant to freezing and are associated with floral stem production the following year (Robocker 1974). The strong, upright floral stems that are characteristic of mature toadflax plants develop after a winter's dormancy, and emerge about the same time as seedlings in mid-April. Flowering occurs from May through August and seeds mature from July through October (Saner et al. 1995). Yellow toadflax is self-incompatible and relies on insects for pollination. The two most important pollinators are bumblebees and halictid bees (Zimmerman 1996). Mode of reproduction: Yellow toadflax can reproduce both by seeds and vegetatively. Vegetative reproduction enables a stand of toadflax to spread rapidly. Stems develop from adventitious buds on primary and lateral roots. These buds can grow their own root and shoot system, and become independent plants the next year. Yellow toadflax colonies persist mostly via vegetation means while those of Dalmatian toadflax persist both by vegetative and seed reproduction (Lajeunesse 1999). Seed production: A mature plant can produce up to 30,000 seeds annually. A single stem has been reported to contain over 5,000 seeds (Saner et al. 1995). Seed bank: Seeds can remain dormant for up to ten years. Dispersal: Winged seeds aid wind dispersal. Seeds may also be dispersed by water and ants (Rutledge, 1998).

air potato map

Florida, Alabama and Georgia

Johnsongrass map

Florida, Alabama, South Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee, Kentucky, Washington, Oregon, California, Nevada, Idaho, Utah, Colorado, Kansas, South Dakota, West Virginia, Ohio, Michigan, Illinois, Arkansas, Missouri, Indiana, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland

Chinese Tallow map

Florida, South Carolina, Alabama, Tennessee, Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, California

Japanese Honeysuckle map

Florida, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, Kentucky, Wisconsin, Illinois, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Vermont, New Hampshire

Giant Hogweed map

Florida, South Carolina, North Carolina, California, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut

Chinese privet map

Florida, Tennessee, South Carolina, Georgia, Kentucky,

Autumn olive map

Florida,Georgia, Alabama, South Carolina, Wisconsin, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, West Virginia, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut

Callery pear map

Illinois, Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina

Japanese Spiraea map

Kentucky, Georgia, Tennessee, South Carolina

Japanese Stilt grass map

New Hampshire, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Wisconsin, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia, Alabama, South Carolina, West Virgina

Beach Vitex map

North Carolina, Alabama, South Carolina

Canada thistle map

North Carolina, New Hampshire, Connecticut, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Alabama, Tennessee, Kentucky, Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, Wisconsin, Illinois, Missouri, Iowa, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, Arizona, Utah, Idaho, California, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, Alaska

Princess Tree (Paulownia tomentosa)

Origin: Central and Western China Background: Known as the empress tree or royal paulownia it was imported to Europe by the Dutch East India Company in the 1830's and to North America soon after. Distribution and Habitat: Eastern United states from Texas to New England and it can be found growing along roadsides, streambanks and forest edges. It can thrive in many types of soil Ecological Threat: Invades forests, stream banks and some rocky habitats. Description: Plant is medium sized deciduous tree that grows to 30-60 ft tall. Twigs are stout green to brown and have many lenticels. Leaves are paired, large, hairy on upper surfaces, broadly oval to heart-shaped and sometimes shallowly three-lobed. Flowers are pale violent and fragrant.

Porcelainberry (Ampelopsis Brevipedunculata)

Origin: China, Korea, Japan and Eastern side of Russia Background: Also Called amur peppervine was originally cultivated as a bedding and landscape plant. It is still widely used and promoted even though people know about it's identity as an invasive species Distribution and Habitat: Occurs from Wisconsin and Iowa to New Hampshire and South to Georgia and has been reported invasive in natural areas in at least ten states. Grows well in soils from forest edges too pond margins. It will grow less in shaded areas. Ecological Threat: Strong invader that takes over open and wooded habitats where it shades out native shrubs and young trees. It shades out native trees and shrubs. It climbs over the existing plants and kills them by taking over the sunlight Description: Plant is woody, perennial vine that resembles grape and climbs by non-adhesive tendrils at the base of each leaf. Leaves have either 3 points or 5 points. Fruits are greenish blueish in the shape of blueberry like.

Sericea lespedeza (Lespedeza cuneate)

Origin: Eastern Asia Background: Introduced in 1800s by federal agencies for use in bank stabilization, erosion control, soil improvement, mine reclamation, forage, and other purposes. Distribution: Eastern US from Minnesota to Texas to New York and Florida. Grows in many different types of places. fields, prairies, floodplains, swamps, stream banks, etc. Ecological Threat: Greatest threat too open areas. Once established, it takes over native plants. It establishes a soil that's unable to produce livestock. Description and Biology: 3-5.5 feet in height. Stems are somewhat woody, sharp, stiff, flattened etc. Leaves are divided into three branches. Tiny, hairy, and green pointy leaves. Flowers are creamy white or yellow with spots. Seads are small and are bean-shaped. Seed is transported around my animals. Prevention: Don't plant the Sericea lespedeza since it's root system is extremely strong.Hand pulling will not help. Cuting them and herbicides can be helpful if applied in mid summer.

Oriental Bittersweet (Celestrus orvicaulatus)

Origin: Eastern Asia, Korea, China and Japan Background: Introduced in the 1860s in the United States for ornamental purposes. Still widely sold for landscaping even though it is considered an invasive animal. Distribution and Habitat: Invasive from Maine to North Carolina and west to Wisconsin and Missouri. It thrives in forest edges, open woodlands, fields, hedgerows, coastal areas, salt marshes and disturbed lands. Ecological Threat: Grows quickly and threatens native vegetation from the ground too the canopy level. Grows in thick masses of vines sprawl over shrubs, small trees and other plants. Producing a canopy that shades out native species. Description: Plant is woody, twining vine, sometimes occurring as a trailing shrub, stems of older plants can grow too 4 in. Leaves are glossy and rounded with finely toothed margins. Flowers are filled with greenish flowers and emerge from most leaf axils. Prevention: DO NOT BUY, TRANSPLANT ANY PLANTS! Chemicals can also be used.

Musk Thistle (Carduus nutans)

Origin: Europe and Asia Distribution: Introduced to America in 1852. Often a noxious weed. Grows from sea level to 2,500 meters in height. Typically grows in meadows and grasslands. Accidentally brought over by ballast water. Found in every single state, except for ME, VT, HI, and AK Description: Takes 2 years to complete a reproductive cycle. However, might take one year if it's in a warm environment. Flowers are red-purple shaded. Grows in a small head of tiny flowers. Can grow up to 3-5 cm tall. Threats: Crowds out native species making them extinct.

Spotted knapweed (Centaurea stoebe)

Origin: Europe and western Asia Background: Accidentally introduced in the late 1800s in contaminated alfalfa and clover seed and in soil used for ship ballast. Live from 3-7 years but can live up to nine and regrow buds on roots. Estimated 500-4000 seeds per square foot per year. Most is viable at the time of dispersal and can remain viable in the soil for 5-8 years. Distribution and Habitat: Occurs in every state except Texas, Oklahoma and Georgia. It prefers living under full sun and can tolerate poor nutrient soils. Ecological Threat: Variety of habitats. Forms deep taproots and sucs nutrients from other plants and reducing livestock food as well. Description Plant: herbaceous biennial or perennial plant. Leaves: a basal rosette of deeply lobed leaves is produced the first year; rosette leaves are deeply lobed, stalked and about 8 in. long; stem leaves are alternate and may be slightly lobed or linear; leaves become smaller and less lobed toward the apex. Flowers, fruits and seeds: flowering stems are 2/3- 4 ft. tall and branched; flowers are produced early summer after the first year and resemble tiny pineapples topped with a showy ring of pink to light purple, highly dissected petals; the bract tips of the base ("pineapple") are dark, giving the spotted look for which the plant is named. Spreads: by wind-dispersed seed. Look-alikes: other knapweeds and thistles including Canada thistle (Cirsium arvense) which occurs in similar habitats in the mid-Atlantic region.

Scotch Broom (Cytisus scoparious)

Origin: Europe, North Africa Introduced in the 1800's for ornamental and livestock fodder purposes. Distributed on the Eastern and Western Coast of USA. It grows into dense stands which crowd out native species and destroy wildlife habitat. Description: Grows typically 1-3 meters tall and RARELY 4 meters. Flowers are yellow which bloom in the summer. They thrive in sunny places that are usually dry. The seed is able to reproduce for a span of 30 years. Looks similar to "Spanish Broom" and many other plants

Mutilflora Rose (Rose multiflora)

Origin: Japan, Korea, Eastern China Background: Introduced to Eastern United states in 1866. Used for Ornamental purposes. Beginning of the 1930's people were paid too grow them to prevent Erosion since they're "Living fences". It's been more recently planted highway sides. It's creating problems in unplowed land, disrupted cattle grazing and a pest in Natural Ecosystems. It's designated a noxious weed in Iowa, Ohio, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and West Virginia. Distribution and Habitat: Occurs throughout Eastern United States, Washington and Oregon. Tolerates wide range of soil, moisture and light conditions. Threat: Grows aggressively and produces tons of fruits that can be eaten by birds. Dense packs of Multiflora can exclude native shrubs and herbs from establishing and may be detrimental to nesting of native birds Description: Multi-stemmed shrub. Climbing vine. Leaves are divided into five to eleven sharply toothed leaflets. Flowers are white to pinkish.

Tree of Heaven (Ailanthus alitissima)

Origin: Northeastern and Central China and Taiwan Background Also called shumac, stinking sumac, Chinese sumac, and ailanthus, it was introduced by a Pennsylvania gardener in 1748 and was made available commercially by 1840. It gained some notoriety as the species featured in the book "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn," by Betty Smith. Distribution and Habitat Tree of heaven is reported to be invasive in natural areas in 30 states across continental U.S. and Hawaii. It is highly adaptable to disturbance and a huge range of soil types and conditions, grows best in full sun and is tolerant of drought. Ecological Threat A common tree in urban areas where it causes damage to sewers and structures, ailanthus poses a greater threat to agriculture and natural ecosystems. It is a vigorous growing tree and prolific seeder that establishes dense stands that push out natives. Tree of heaven contains chemicals, including ailanthone, that have been found to have strong allelopathic (herbicidal) affects on the growth of other plants which help it establish and spread. Description and Biology Plant: deciduous tree that can reach 70 ft. in height; twigs with smooth, pale gray bark, and twigs that are light chestnut brown, especially in the dormant season; dioecious meaning plants are either male or female; wood soft, weak, coarse-grained and creamy white to light brown in color; leaves, stems and some flowers have a strong, unpleasant to offensive odor likened to cat urine or rotting peanuts or cashews. Leaves: alternate, large (1-4 ft. long), compound, with 11-25 smaller leaflets, each with one to several glandular teeth near the base. Flowers, fruits and seeds: large showy clusters of small yellowish-green flowers produced during June; in summer, flat, twisted, single-seeded winged fruits or samaras are produced on female trees and may remain on trees for long periods of time; individual trees may produce an estimated 325,000 seeds per year. Spreads: reproduces by seed and by vigorous re-sprouting, especially in response to injury such as breakage or cutting. Look-alikes: compound-leaved shrubs and trees like staghorn sumac (Rhus typhina), ash (Fraxinus sp.), black walnut (Juglans nigra), and hickory (Carya sp.). Sumac has fuzzy, reddish-brown stems and leaves; ash species have opposite leaves; ash, black walnut, hickory and sumac leaf margins are completely to mostly toothed; black walnuts have large green fruits. Prevention and Control Do not plant tree of heaven or spread its seeds when moving soil from infested areas. Before attempting control, ensure that you are not mistaking a native species like staghorn sumac, ash or walnut for tree of heaven. Elimination of tree of heaven requires diligence. Targeting large female trees for control will help reduce spread by seed. Because vegetative spread by male and female trees will continue to be a threat, elimination of all trees must be the long term goal. Systemic herbicides with active ingredients like glyphosate and triclopyr are most effective and can be applied to bark, cut stems or foliage (see Control Options).

St. Johnswort (Hypericum perforatum)

Origin:: Eurasia and North Africa Background: Introduced into the United States in the 1700's. used for ornamental and medicinal herb. It does crowd out native species and forage on pasturelands. Toxic to livestock Distribution: All the states except North Dakota and Florida. *The plant is used as a drug to treat depression, improve mood swings, relieve anxiety, reduce the severity of premenstrual symptoms, ease addictive tendencies, regulate hormonal activity, prevent cancer, etc. *

Bicolor lespedeza map

South Carolina, Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, Kentucky, Illinois, New Hampshire

Garlic Mustard map

South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, Kentucky, Illinois, Oregon, Washington, Wisconsin, Minnesota, New Hampshire, Vermont, Connecticut, Massachusetts

Common Teasel map

Tennessee, California, Colorado, New Mexico, Illinois, Missouri

Kudzu map

Washington, Oregon, Texas, Kansas, Missouri, Illinois, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, South Carolina, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia, West Virginia, Tennessee, Kentucky