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Great Lakes Center, SAMC 319
SUNY Buffalo State
1300 Elmwood Ave., Buffalo, NY 14222
wnyprism@buffalostate.edu
(716) 878.4708
Brittle naiad is an herbaceous annual that grows in dense clusters. Its leaves have visible serrations and are long, pointed and oppositely arranged on highly branched stems. The plant can reproduce from stem fragments, or from small seeds which grow along its stem.
A tall biennial that produces a single purple flowerhead atop its stem. Leaves, stem and bracts are all covered in hairs or spines which makes it unpalatable to wildlife and livestock.
Burning bush is an invasive ornamental woody shrub that is easily recognized by its vibrant red fall foliage. This invasive species has been introduced into natural landscapes through escaping cultivation.
The invasive bush honeysuckles are deciduous shrubs that may grow to be 15 ft. tall. Honeysuckle leaves are opposite, have smooth margins, and can vary in shape, being oval or tapered at the tip.
Canada thistle is a perennial thistle that grows 1.5-5 ft. tall. Canada thistle displaces native vegetation, lowering plant and animal diversity. It also poses an economic threat to farmers and ranchers, reducing crop yields and pasture productivity.
Carolina fanwort forms extremely dense stands that clog drainage systems and waterways, interfering with recreational activities. Dense stands also negatively impact native biodiversity.
The dense rhizome mats and thick layer of leaf litter that cattails produce, exclude other plants from growing within cattail stands, making them a threat to biodiversity.
Chinese silver grass rapidly spreads in areas that have been disturbed, such as roadsides. It is considered a wildfire hazard because it produces large amounts of highly flammable, dry plant material.
Common buckthorn is a deciduous shrub, or small tree, that can grow up to 25 ft in height. Bark is dark gray while inner bark is orange.
Common periwinkle is an herbaceous, perennial and evergreen groundcover. The leaves are opposite, elliptic in shape and dark green, though some varieties may have variegated coloration. It produces blue-purple flowers with 5 petals that are blunt at the tip and arranged in a spiral or “pinwheel” shape.
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.
Report an Invasive Species
wnyprism@buffalostate.edu
(716) 878.4708