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INVASIVE SPECIES
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Autumn Olive
Autumn Olive
Elaeagnus umbellata
Autumn olive is a large deciduous shrub that can grow to a height of 15 ft, and a width of 20 ft. Its leaves are oval or lance-shaped with entire and wavy margins, dull green in color with silvery underside.
Black Jetbead
Black Jetbead
Rhodotypos scandens
Black jetbead is a deciduous shrub that can grow up to 5 feet tall. It forms a dense shrub layer that shades out native species and restricts the establishment of tree seedlings. Black jetbead is one of our Data Gap Species Priorities for 2024.
Black Locust
Black Locust
Robinia pseudoacacia
Black locusts threaten prairies, savannahs and upland forests. They have an extensive root system that allows them to reproduce clonally, sprouting many clones in one area. As they grow, they'll form islands of dense canopy which shade out any plants below them.
Border Privet
Border Privet
Ligustrum obtusifolium
Border privet is a deciduous shrub that may grow to be 20 ft. tall. It forms dense thickets, shading out native plants. It also displaces native shrubs and seedlings in regenerating forests.
Bull Thistle
Bull Thistle
Cirsium vulgare
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
Burning Bush
Euonymus alatus
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.
Bush Honeysuckle
Bush Honeysuckle
Lonicera tartarica, L. morrowii, L. maackii x L. bella
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
Canada Thistle
Cirsium arvense
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.
Cattails – Narrowleaf and Hybrid
Cattails – Narrowleaf and Hybrid
Typha angustifolia and T. x glauca
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
Chinese Silver Grass
Miscanthus sinensis
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.