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INVASIVE SPECIES - LATEST
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Purple Loosestrife
Lythrum salicaria
Purple loosestrife is an erect, herbaceous perennial that grows 3-7 ft. tall. It is easily identified by its showy, magenta flowers from July to September. Linear-shaped leaves grow oppositely along square stems. This aggressive plant spreads both vegetatively and by abundant seed dispersal.
Swallow-worts
Cynanchum spp.
Pale and black swallow-worts are herbaceous, perennial, twining vines. Pale swallow-wort (Cynanchum rossicum) has small maroon to pale pink flowers with 5 hairless, triangular petals that are twice as long as they are wide. Black swallow-wort (Cynanchum louiseae) has small dark purple flowers with 5 pointed, downy, triangular petals that are the same length as their width. Pods split open, releasing innumerable downy seeds that are easily carried miles by wind.
Mile-A-Minute
Persicaria perfoliata
Mile-a-minute is an herbaceous, annual, trailing vine that can reach lengths of 6 m or more. Its stems are covered with barbs, which are also present on the underside of its leaf blades.
Yellow Flag Iris
Iris pseudacorus
Yellow iris is an herbaceous perennial that can grow between 3-4 ft. The broad, lance-shaped leaves are stiff and erect. The yellow, showy flowers bloom from April to June.
Wild Parsnip
Pastinaca sativa
Wild parsnip is a biennial herb that grows to 2-5 ft. Alternate, compound, branched leaves have serrated edges. First year rosettes have pinnately compound leaves. Adult plants bloom June through August with small, five-petaled, yellow flowers arranged in a flat-topped, broad umbel of 2-6".
Garlic Mustard
Alliaria petiolata
Garlic mustard is a biennial herb that grows as a rosette of kidney-shaped leaves in the first year. The second-year plant can grow multiple stems up to 4 ft. with triangular, sharply-toothed leaves. In May, four-petaled, white flowers grow in clusters at the top of the stem. Garlic mustard produces a multitude of seeds, which can remain viable for seven years or more.
Phragmites or Common Reed
Phragmites australis ssp. australis
Common reed grass, or phragmites, is a tall, herbaceous perennial ranging in height from 3-15 ft. Leaves and stems are stiff and sharp. Large, feathery plumes of flowers change from purple-brown in July, to tan-grey later in the season.
Round Goby
Neogobius melanostomus
The round goby is a small, soft-bodied fish with a distinctive black spot on its first dorsal fin. It has large, protruding eyes and its body ranges from 4-10" in length. While juveniles are grey, adult round gobies have grey, black, brown and olive green markings.
Yellow Floating Heart
Nymphoides peltata
Yellow floating heart is an herbaceous aquatic plant that's found rooted in the mud of still bodies of water or in water gardens. More data on this species is needed, so please report it if you see it!