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National Park Service Northeastern Region Catalog of Invasive Plants Invasive Plant Identification Workshop 6-7 August 2002 Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area Bushkill Visitor Information Center Wayne Millington, NPS Project Coordinator Leslie J. Mehrhoff Katie R. Boiteau Stacey A. Leicht Purpose The purpose of this project is to identify those plants considered invasive by the National Park Service in the following nine Northeastern states: Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. This list includes species that are not usually found on most invasive species lists. They are included here because of their potential to invade minimally managed areas within the parks. These species are designated as anthropogenic in the following tables. This list was compiled from existing federal, state and regional lists of invasive species and noxious weeds from the Northeastern United States. Three tables are included, each containing the same 107 species. These tables are arranged by common name and growth form, scientific name and growth form and scientific name and invasiveness. In most cases, species names were taken from the Integrated Taxonomic Information System (ITIS) (www.itis.usda.gov). However, there are a few exceptions where, for ease of utility, old names were maintained under species name and currently accepted names were listed under synonyms. This catalog is a work in progress. If you feel that a species not acknowledged here should be added or have additional information, please let us know. Please contact: Leslie J. Mehrhoff Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology University of Connecticut Box U-43 75 North Eagleville Road Storrs, CT 06269-3043 (860) 486-5708 FAX (860) 486-6364 vasculum@uconnvm.uconn.edu or Katie Boiteau krboiteau@hotmail.com SPECIES NAME Acer platanoides L. COMMON NAME Norway maple FAMILY Aceraceae NPS CODE ACEPLA NPS NORTHEASTERN STATUS Invasive THREAT Has dense foliage that lasts longer than most native species. Prohibits light from reaching woodland floor, and produces many seedlings. INVASIVE ECOLOGY Grows rapidly when young. Well adapted to extreme soils. Creates very dense shade and seeds freely, causing many weed seedling trees. Very dense foliage. Will withstand sand, clay, acidic to calcareous soils, can withstand hot, dry conditions, tolerates polluted atmosphere. Seedlings are shade tolerant and thrive in hedge rows and roadside thickets. Seeds are much heavier than sugar maple seeds, giving them larger reserves for germination. Mature Acer platanoides facilitate the growth of their seedlings underneath their canopy. Possibly secrete an allelopathic chemical from their roots. HABITAT Common street and ornamental tree, found in woodlots and urban-fringe forests. Spreads to successional forests. GEOGRAPHIC ORIGIN Eurasia HISTORY OF INTRODUCTION Introduced to the United States in 1756; later escaped from cultivation. NORTHEASTERN US DISTRIBUTION Entire Northeast NORTHEASTERN NATIONAL PARKS ACAD, DEWA, GATE REPRODUCTION Deciduous tree, flowers in April. Insect pollinated. Vigorous reproduction from seed. FRUIT AND SEED PRODUCTION Fruits mature in September to October. Seeds are wind dispersed. CONTROL Girdling or herbicide application to cut stems. SPECIES NAME Acer pseudoplatanus L. COMMON NAME Sycamore maple FAMILY Aceraceae NPS CODE ACEPSE NPS NORTHEASTERN STATUS Potentially invasive THREAT Seeds germinate easily producing many individuals, especially in sandy soils near the coast. INVASIVE ECOLOGY Easily established and very adaptable. Tolerant of salt, high pH, calcareous soil and exposed areas. GEOGRAPHIC ORIGIN Europe and Asia HISTORY OF INTRODUCTION Introduced to the United States as an ornamental. NORTHEASTERN US DISTRIBUTION Maine, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland NORTHEASTERN NATIONAL PARKS REPRODUCTION Deciduous tree, flowers in May. Reproduces from seed. FRUIT AND SEED PRODUCTION Fruits mature in August or September CONTROL SPECIES NAME Acer palmatum Thunb. COMMON NAME Japanese maple FAMILY Aceraceae NPS CODE ACEPAL NPS NORTHEASTERN STATUS Potentially invasive THREAT Produces many seedlings in some areas. INVASIVE ECOLOGY Spreads rapidly by seed. GEOGRAPHIC ORIGIN Japan, China, Korea HISTORY OF INTRODUCTION Introduced from Japan to England in 1840, then to the U.S. in 1862 by Dr. George Hall to a nursery in Flushing, N.Y. NORTHEASTERN US DISTRIBUTION New York and Pennsylvania NORTHEASTERN NATIONAL PARKS REPRODUCTION Deciduous tree, flowers in May and June. Reproduces from seed. FRUIT AND SEED PRODUCTION Fruits ripen in September to October. CONTROL SPECIES NAME Aegopodium podagraria L. COMMON NAME Goutweed FAMILY Apiaceae NPS CODE AEGPOD NPS NORTHEASTERN STATUS Potentially invasive THREAT Spreads easily by fragmenting rhizomes and seeds. INVASIVE ECOLOGY Grows well in flood plan forests, waste places and roadsides. Weedy and difficult to control. GEOGRAPHIC ORIGIN Eurasia HISTORY OF INTRODUCTION Cultivated in gardens and often escaped in New England. NORTHEASTERN US DISTRIBUTION Entire Northeast NORTHEASTERN NATIONAL PARKS DEWA, WEFA REPRODUCTION Herbaceous perennial, flowers in June. Reproduces vegetatively by rhizomes and from seed. FRUIT AND SEED PRODUCTION Fruits mature in July. CONTROL SPECIES NAME Ailanthus altissima (P. Mill.) Swingle COMMON NAME Tree of Heaven FAMILY Simaroubaceae SYNONYMS Ailanthus glandulosa Desf. NPS CODE AILALT NPS NORTHEASTERN STATUS Invasive THREAT Produces many seedlings. Also spreads vegetatively. INVASIVE ECOLOGY Rapid growth, does well in poor soil and with atmospheric pollution. Tolerant of salt, poor soil, heat and drought. Can sucker and produce stump sprouts, and produces large quantities of seeds. Fruits persist through winter. HABITAT Woodlots, along railways and highways and other disturbed areas. GEOGRAPHIC ORIGIN China HISTORY OF INTRODUCTION Introduced to the U.S. in Pennsylvania by a gardener. By 1840, was being sold from nurseries, and has since been uses extensively for plantings in cities. NORTHEASTERN US DISTRIBUTION Found in all Northeastern states NORTHEASTERN NATIONAL PARKS MIMA, GATE, ROVA, SAHI, DEWA REPRODUCTION Deciduous tree, flowers in late spring. Reproduces from seed. FRUIT AND SEED PRODUCTION Fruits appear in September to October. Seeds are wind and water dispersed. CONTROL Hand-pulling, especially by the Bradley Method, cutting, digging, girdling, prescribed burning, herbicide and grazing until seedbank is eliminated. SPECIES NAME Akebia quinata (Houtt.) Dcne. COMMON NAME Fiveleaf akebia, Chocolate vine FAMILY Lardizabalaceae NPS CODE AKEQUI NPS NORTHEASTERN STATUS Potentially invasive THREAT Rampant grower with long stems than run over the ground or climb. INVASIVE ECOLOGY Can grow upright along a structure or along the ground as a groundcover. Tolerant of many soil types, easily grown. Able to grow rampantly. Appears to produces fruits infrequently. GEOGRAPHIC ORIGIN China, Korea, Japan HISTORY OF INTRODUCTION Introduced to the United States in 1845. NORTHEASTERN US DISTRIBUTION Entire Northeast except Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont. NORTHEASTERN NATIONAL PARKS REPRODUCTION Twining woody vine, flowers in late March to early April. Reproduces vegetatively. FRUIT AND SEED PRODUCTION Fruits ripen in September to October, each hold numerous seeds. Dispersal mechanisms are unknown, but probably by animals. CONTROL Cutting, digging, and herbicides. SPECIES NAME Albizia julibrissin Durazz. COMMON NAME Silk tree, Mimosa FAMILY Fabaceae NPS CODE ALBJUL NPS NORTHEASTERN STATUS Potentially invasive THREAT Produces many seedlings. INVASIVE ECOLOGY Will withstand drought, high pH, soil salinity, and excessive wind. Produce large seed crops, can resprout when damaged. Strongly competitive to native tress and shrubs in open areas or edges. Can form dense stands. GEOGRAPHIC ORIGIN Iran to central China. HISTORY OF INTRODUCTION Introduced to the United States in 1745. NORTHEASTERN US DISTRIBUTION New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland, West Virginia, Virginia. Cultivated in Massachusetts and Connecticut. NORTHEASTERN NATIONAL PARKS REPRODUCTION Deciduous tree, flowers in late April through early July. Reproduces from seed or by root cuttings. FRUIT AND SEED PRODUCTION Fruits ripen in August to October and persist through the winter often into the spring. Seeds dispersed around parent plant and by water. CONTROL Cutting at ground level, herbicides, girdling, hand pulling of young seedlings SPECIES NAME Alliaria petiolata (Bieb.) Cavara & Grande COMMON NAME Garlic mustard FAMILY Brassicaceae SYNONYMS Alliaria alliaria (L.) Britt., Alliaria officinalis Andrz. ex Bieb. NPS CODE ALLPET NPS NORTHEASTERN STATUS Invasive THREAT Produces large numbers of individuals that can form dense monotypic stands even in closed canopy forests. Persists in seed banks. INVASIVE ECOLOGY Shade tolerant and can dominate a forest understory. Tolerates a wide variety of soils and moisture levels. Dense stands Deprive native herbaceous species of light, moisture and space. High seed production and strong seed dormancy HABITAT Common in forest edges, roadsides, stream banks, and gardens in shaded and semi-shaded habitats. GEOGRAPHIC ORIGIN Europe HISTORY OF INTRODUCTION First collected in Long Island in 1868. Likely brought to the United States as a food crop and for medicinal purposes. NORTHEASTERN US DISTRIBUTION Entire Northeast NORTHEASTERN NATIONAL PARKS ACAD, ALPO, DEWA, ROVA REPRODUCTION Biennial herb, flowers in the spring. Reproduces from seed. FRUIT AND SEED PRODUCTION Fruits produced by May, with 10-20 seeds per pod by early summer. dispersed, and dispersed by humans and animals. Seeds are mechanically CONTROL Prevention of initial establishment, cutting the flowering stems at ground level annually, and biocontrol. SPECIES NAME Alnus glutinosa (L.) Gaertn. COMMON NAME European black alder FAMILY Betulaceae SYNONYMS Alnus alnus (L.) Britt., Betula glutinosa L. NPS CODE ALNGLU NPS NORTHEASTERN STATUS Potentially invasive THREAT Can form dense stands of many individuals. INVASIVE ECOLOGY Fast growth rate in youth, tolerant of acid or slightly alkaline soils, tolerant of frost, poor soil and waterlogging. GEOGRAPHIC ORIGIN Europe and western Asia HISTORY OF INTRODUCTION Cultivated as an ornamental, and planted to control erosion and improve the soil on recently cleared or unstable substrates. NORTHEASTERN US DISTRIBUTION Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont NORTHEASTERN NATIONAL PARKS REPRODUCTION Deciduous tree. Reproduces from seeds and spreads vegetatively. FRUIT AND SEED PRODUCTION Fruits mature in October and November CONTROL Girdling or cutting stems and applying herbicide SPECIES NAME Ampelopsis brevipedunculata (Maxim.) Trautv. COMMON NAME Porcelain berry FAMILY Vitaceae NPS CODE AMPBRE NPS NORTHEASTERN STATUS Invasive THREAT Vines grow rampantly up into the tree canopy or over other vegetation. INVASIVE ECOLOGY Can grow over and smother native vegetation. Rapid growth, with a high germination rate. HABITAT Woodland edges, riparian areas, and open fields, especially areas with repeated disturbance. GEOGRAPHIC ORIGIN Japan, China, Korea, and the Russian Far East HISTORY OF INTRODUCTION Introduced into cultivation in the U.S. for use as a bedding and screening plant. NORTHEASTERN US DISTRIBUTION Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Island NORTHEASTERN NATIONAL PARKS MIMA REPRODUCTION Deciduous, perennial vine, flowers in summer. Reproduces from seed and cuttings. FRUIT AND SEED PRODUCTION Fruits ripen in September and contain 2-4 seeds each. Seeds are bird and water dispersed. CONTROL Hand pulling or pruning before fruiting and cutting aboveground vines. Herbicides can be applied to leaves or to basal bark. SPECIES NAME Anthriscus sylvestris (L.) Hoffmann COMMON NAME Wild chervil FAMILY Apiaceae NPS CODE ANTSYL NPS NORTHEASTERN STATUS Potentially invasive THREAT Produces many seeds that can form dense stands of many individuals. INVASIVE ECOLOGY Self-seeds, has long taproot, grows well in woodlands, forest, edges, waste places and roadsides. GEOGRAPHIC ORIGIN Europe HISTORY OF INTRODUCTION NORTHEASTERN US DISTRIBUTION Entire Northeast NORTHEASTERN NATIONAL PARKS REPRODUCTION Biennial or short-lived perennial forb, flowers in May through July. Pollinated by bees. FRUIT AND SEED PRODUCTION Seeds are mature from June through July. CONTROL SPECIES NAME Artemisia stelleriana Bess. COMMON NAME Dusty miller FAMILY Asteraceae NPS CODE ARTSTE NPS NORTHEASTERN STATUS Potentially invasive THREAT Vegetative growth can produce large stands in sandy soil along coastal dunes and beaches. INVASIVE ECOLOGY Fast growth rate including rhizomes; can tolerate poor soils including sand and rocks HABITAT Sandy beaches, coastal sand dunes. GEOGRAPHIC ORIGIN Asia HISTORY OF INTRODUCTION Introduced to the United States as garden material and escaped from cultivation. NORTHEASTERN US DISTRIBUTION Entire Northeast NORTHEASTERN NATIONAL PARKS REPRODUCTION Perennial, flowers in summer. Spreads vegetatively by segments rooting in soil. FRUIT AND SEED PRODUCTION CONTROL SPECIES NAME Artemisia vulgaris L. COMMON NAME Mugwort FAMILY Asteraceae NPS CODE ARTVUL NPS NORTHEASTERN STATUS Potentially invasive THREAT Can form dense stands by vegetative growth. INVASIVE ECOLOGY Able to grow in a wide variety of soils, prolific seeder and seeds may persist in the soil for many years. Rapid colonizer, crowds out existing vegetation. HABITAT Fields, roadsides, disturbed urban areas, river banks and waste places. GEOGRAPHIC ORIGIN Europe and Asia HISTORY OF INTRODUCTION NORTHEASTERN US DISTRIBUTION Entire Northeast NORTHEASTERN NATIONAL PARKS ACAD, DEWA REPRODUCTION Perennial herb, flowers in late summer and early fall. Reproduces from seed and vegetatively by rhizomes. FRUIT AND SEED PRODUCTION Viable seeds rarely produced? Seeds dispersed by wind and humans. CONTROL Herbicide SPECIES NAME Arthraxon hispidus (Thunb.) Makino COMMON NAME Hairy joint-grass FAMILY Poaceae SYNONYMS Phalaris hispida Thunb. NPS CODE ARTHIS NPS NORTHEASTERN STATUS Potentially invasive THREAT Produces dense monotypic stands annually. INVASIVE ECOLOGY Can survive and germinate after extended flooding. Forms monotypic stands and crowds out native herbaceous vegetation. Able to grow in shade. Rapidly spreads along stream and pond shores and through ditches and wet areas. GEOGRAPHIC ORIGIN Asia HISTORY OF INTRODUCTION May have been introduced with packing material at the Philadelphia Exposition in 1876. NORTHEASTERN US DISTRIBUTION South of and including Connecticut. NORTHEASTERN NATIONAL PARKS REPRODUCTION Annual grass. Reproduces from seed. FRUIT AND SEED PRODUCTION Produces abundant seed. CONTROL Hand pulling or mowing before seed production for seven years, herbicide SPECIES NAME Arundo donax L. COMMON NAME Giant reed FAMILY Poaceae SYNONYMS Arundo versicolor P. Mill. NPS CODE ARUDON NPS NORTHEASTERN STATUS Potentially invasive THREAT Forms dense stands by vegetative growth. INVASIVE ECOLOGY Salinity tolerant, creates sand dunes, tolerant of all soils. Rootstocks form compact masses, has deeply penetrating fibrous roots. Chokes riversides and stream channels. Crowds out native plants, interferes with flood control. Increases fire potential, decreases wildlife habitat, and can outcompete native vegetation. Rapid growth rate. GEOGRAPHIC ORIGIN Mediterranean HISTORY OF INTRODUCTION Introduced intentionally to Los Angeles, CA in the early 1800s as an ornamental and for erosion control. Used for making pipe organs, baskets, fishing rods, medicines, and in fodder. NORTHEASTERN US DISTRIBUTION West Virginia and Virginia NORTHEASTERN NATIONAL PARKS REPRODUCTION Perennial grass, flowers in August and September. Fragments root after floating downstream. Stem fragments can take root. Vegetative and rhizome reproduction. Wind and water dispersed. FRUIT AND SEED PRODUCTION Little known CONTROL Herbicide, prescribed burning SPECIES NAME Berberis thunbergii DC. COMMON NAME Japanese barberry FAMILY Berberidaceae NPS CODE BERTHU NPS NORTHEASTERN STATUS Invasive THREAT Dense, near monotypic, stands exclude other species and many change the soil chemistry. INVASIVE ECOLOGY Form dense, continuous stands. Exceptionally tolerant and adaptable, withstands drought and heat, invades undisturbed as well as disturbed areas. Hybridizes with Berberis vulgaris to form B. X ottawensis. HABITAT Roadsides, trails, open fields, gardens and forest edges. GEOGRAPHIC ORIGIN Japan HISTORY OF INTRODUCTION Introduced to the United States as an ornamental in 1875 as seeds sent from Russia to the Arnold Arboretum in Boston. Planted in the New York Botanic Garden in 1896. Later planted as a substitute for the black stem grain rust infested Berberis vulgaris in seaside gardens. Recognized as a garden escape before 1910. NORTHEASTERN US DISTRIBUTION All of Northeast except the Adirondaks, northern Maine and northern Vermont. NORTHEASTERN NATIONAL PARKS ACAD, ALPO, DEWA, MABI, MORR, ROVA, WEFA REPRODUCTION Deciduous shrub, flowers from April to May. Reproduces when branches come in contact with the soil. Reproduces by cuttings and from seed. FRUIT AND SEED PRODUCTION Numerous berries mature from July to October and persist on the stems until spring. Dispersed by turkey, grouse and small mammals. CONTROL Pulling by hand, mowing or cutting and herbicide. SPECIES NAME Berberis vulgaris L. COMMON NAME Barberry FAMILY Berberidaceae NPS CODE BERVUL NPS NORTHEASTERN STATUS Potentially invasive INVASIVE ECOLOGY Forms dense thickets, produces abundant seeds, able to grow in shaded habitats. Hybridizes with Berberis thunbergii to create B. X ottawensis. HABITAT Pastures, open woodlands and waste places. GEOGRAPHIC ORIGIN Europe HISTORY OF INTRODUCTION Introduced to the United States in the 17th century, it was planted by settlers for its fruits. Once quite common in the Northeast. NORTHEASTERN US DISTRIBUTION All of Northeast NORTHEASTERN NATIONAL PARKS ACAD REPRODUCTION Deciduous shrub, flowers May to June. Reproduces by seed and vegetatively, and new plants can be produced when branches come in contact with the soil. FRUIT AND SEED PRODUCTION Fruits from May to June. Fruits contain 1-3 seeds each. Seeds are dispersed by birds and small mammals. CONTROL Pulling by hand, mowing, cutting and herbicide. Many individuals were eradicated by the CCC in the 1920s; in some places many can still be found. SPECIES NAME Butomus umbellatus L. COMMON NAME Flowering rush FAMILY Butomaceae NPS CODE BUTUMB NPS NORTHEASTERN STATUS Potentially invasive THREAT Can invade shore communities with lots of individuals. May form dense monotypic stands under some conditions. INVASIVE ECOLOGY Grows well in floodplain forests, aquatic, rivers or streams, lake or pond margins. Now used in water garden habitats. Can displace native riparian vegetation, and has a wide hardiness zone. GEOGRAPHIC ORIGIN East Asia HISTORY OF INTRODUCTION First observed in 1897 in Quebec. In 1929 collected in two Vermont counties. By 1950, well established along St. Lawrence River. First collected in Connecticut in 1943. NORTHEASTERN US DISTRIBUTION Maine, Vermont, Connecticut, New York, Pennsylvania NORTHEASTERN NATIONAL PARKS REPRODUCTION Aquatic plant. Reproduces by seed or vegetatively. FRUIT AND SEED PRODUCTION Fruits split at maturity releasing seeds. Seeds are water dispersed. CONTROL Cutting below the water surface and hand digging SPECIES NAME Cabomba caroliniana Gray COMMON NAME Fanwort FAMILY Cabombaceae NPS CODE CABCAR NPS NORTHEASTERN STATUS Invasive THREAT Forms dense monotypic stands that prohibit sunlight penetration. INVASIVE ECOLOGY Grows well in aquatic, river or stream, lake or pond and water garden habitats. Can form extremely dense stands and clog drainage systems. Able to root from vegetative parts. HABITAT Ponds, lakes ditches and quiet streams. GEOGRAPHIC ORIGIN Southern United States HISTORY OF INTRODUCTION Introduced to the Northeast by waterfowl or boats from the South. NORTHEASTERN US DISTRIBUTION New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. NORTHEASTERN NATIONAL PARKS REPRODUCTION Submersed freshwater perennial. Reproduces vegetatively. FRUIT AND SEED PRODUCTION CONTROL Inspection of boats and equipment before leaving an infested body of water. Biological control includes grass carp. Raking, seining and herbicide. SPECIES NAME Cardamine impatiens L. COMMON NAME Narrowleaf bittercress FAMILY Brassicaceae NPS CODE CARIMP NPS NORTHEASTERN STATUS Potentially invasive THREAT Produces many viable seeds per plant that can form dense stands in rich wooded communities. INVASIVE ECOLOGY Grows well in edge, early successional forest, floodplain forest, herbaceous wetland, vacant lot, river or stream, roadside, and yard or garden habitats. Grows well in shade, can form dense areas and outcompete native species. HABITAT Shady woods GEOGRAPHIC ORIGIN Europe HISTORY OF INTRODUCTION Introduced to the U.S. from Europe before 1916. Appears in Connecticut and then in Acadia National Park in Maine in 1994. NORTHEASTERN US DISTRIBUTION Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, and New Jersey. NORTHEASTERN NATIONAL PARKS ACAD REPRODUCTION FRUIT AND SEED PRODUCTION Fruits ripen from May to September and contain 10-24 seeds each. Seeds project from fruits; long distance dispersal mechanisms are unknown. CONTROL SPECIES NAME Carduus nutans L. COMMON NAME Nodding thistle FAMILY Asteraceae NPS CODE CARNUT NPS NORTHEASTERN STATUS Potentially invasive THREAT Can produce large numbers of individual plants. INVASIVE ECOLOGY Grows well in disturbed areas, unpalatable to livestock, acid soil tolerant, forms dense stands GEOGRAPHIC ORIGIN Europe and Asia HISTORY OF INTRODUCTION Introduced to the eastern United States in the early 1800s NORTHEASTERN US DISTRIBUTION Entire Northeast except Maine and Vermont NORTHEASTERN NATIONAL PARKS REPRODUCTION Aggressive biennial herb, flowers in May and August. Reproduces from seed. FRUIT AND SEED PRODUCTION Seeds disperse one month after flowers form. One flower head produces about 1200 seeds, one plant about 120,000 seeds. Seeds are wind dispersed and are viable for about 10 years. CONTROL Hand pulling, biocontrol (two European weevils), and herbicide SPECIES NAME Carex kobomugi Ohwi COMMON NAME Asiatic sand sedge FAMILY Cyperaceae NPS CODE CARKOB NPS NORTHEASTERN STATUS Invasive THREAT Forms dense stands by vegetative spread. INVASIVE ECOLOGY Grows on dunes, tolerant of salt spray and wind, spreads by underground stems. Forms low, dense mats and crowds out native plants. GEOGRAPHIC ORIGIN Japan, Korea, Russia, China HISTORY OF INTRODUCTION Introduced in 1929 to New Jersey from shipwrecked barrels containing porcelain from Asia. NORTHEASTERN US DISTRIBUTION Northeast south of and including Massachusetts NORTHEASTERN NATIONAL PARKS REPRODUCTION Perennial sedge, spreads vegetatively by fragmenting rhizomes. FRUIT AND SEED PRODUCTION CONTROL Hand pulling or digging, herbicide SPECIES NAME Celastrus orbiculatus Thunb. COMMON NAME Asiatic bittersweet FAMILY Celastraceae NPS CODE CELORB NPS NORTHEASTERN STATUS Invasive THREAT Mechanical damage from “strangling” and increased surface area. Dense growth shades out other species and produces many seedlings. INVASIVE ECOLOGY Thrives in disturbed areas. Will grow over anything in its path including native plants. Shades and girdles native plants. Often spread by humans because of its use in floral arrangements. Produces prolific amounts of fruit. HABITAT Invades disturbed and open areas such as roadsides, fence rows, abandoned fields and forest edges. GEOGRAPHIC ORIGIN East Asia, Japan, Korea, and China HISTORY OF INTRODUCTION Introduced to the U.S. from China as an ornamental around 1860. NORTHEASTERN US DISTRIBUTION All Northeastern states NORTHEASTERN NATIONAL PARKS ACAD, ALPO, BOHA, CACO, DEWA, GATE, MIMA, SAHI, WEFA REPRODUCTION Deciduous woody perennial vine. Reproduces from seed and also some vegetative spread by root suckering. FRUIT AND SEED PRODUCTION Fruits produced from July to October. Fruit splits at maturity and contains 3 to 6 seedcontaining axils. Seeds are bird, water, and human dispersed. CONTROL Prevention through avoiding planting as an ornamental, herbicides and mowing. SPECIES NAME Centaurea biebersteinii DC. COMMON NAME Spotted knapweed FAMILY Asteraceae SYNONYMS Centaurea maculosa L. NPS CODE CENBIE NPS NORTHEASTERN STATUS Invasive THREAT Can form stands with many plants. INVASIVE ECOLOGY Prefers disturbed areas and edges; does well in dry, coarse, sandy soil. Aggressive, little grazing value for livestock. Increases soil erosion, decreases plant diversity and is a wildfire hazard. HABITAT Well-drained, light textured soils with summer rainfall. Rangelands, road ditches, field margins and other disturbed areas, prairies, oak and pine barrens. GEOGRAPHIC ORIGIN Central Europe HISTORY OF INTRODUCTION Introduced to the Pacific Northwest in 1893 from Asia Minor or from Germany with alfalfa seed. NORTHEASTERN US DISTRIBUTION Entire Northeast NORTHEASTERN NATIONAL PARKS ACAD, DEWA, MIMA, SARA REPRODUCTION Biennial or weak perennial, flowers June through October, reproduced by seed FRUIT AND SEED PRODUCTION Produces over 400 seeds per stalk. Mechanic dispersal, and dispersal by rodents, livestock, hay, commercial seed or on vehicles. CONTROL Herbicide, grazing, mowing, tilling, and several biocontrol insects. SPECIES NAME Clematis terniflora DC. COMMON NAME Yam clematis FAMILY Ranunculaceae SYNONYMS Clematis dioscoreifolia Levl. & Vaniot NPS CODE CLETER NPS NORTHEASTERN STATUS Potentially invasive THREAT Dense growth shades out other species. INVASIVE ECOLOGY Grows rampantly and is hard to control. With overgrow anything in its path. Fleshy, deep root system, difficult to remove. GEOGRAPHIC ORIGIN Japan HISTORY OF INTRODUCTION Introduced in 1864; escaped from cultivation. NORTHEASTERN US DISTRIBUTION Entire Northeast, except Maine NORTHEASTERN NATIONAL PARKS REPRODUCTION Semi-evergreen or deciduous vine, flowers from late summer through fall. Reproduces from seed or cuttings. FRUIT AND SEED PRODUCTION Seeds contained in seed heads CONTROL SPECIES NAME Coronilla varia L. COMMON NAME Purple crown vetch FAMILY Fabaceae SYNONYMS Securigera varia (L.) Lassen NPS CODE CORVAR NPS NORTHEASTERN STATUS Invasive THREAT Can form dense, monotypic stands. vegetatively and by seed. Individual plants can give rise to more plants INVASIVE ECOLOGY Has creeping stems and rhizomes. Grows best in open areas but is also shade tolerant, outcompetes natives and has a dense mat growth habit. GEOGRAPHIC ORIGIN Europe and North Africa HISTORY OF INTRODUCTION Planted in the United States in areas prone to erosion. NORTHEASTERN US DISTRIBUTION Entire Northeast NORTHEASTERN NATIONAL PARKS DEWA REPRODUCTION Herbaceous perennial forb, flowers in May through September. division, rooted stem cuttings and seeds. FRUIT AND SEED PRODUCTION Fruits inconspicuous CONTROL Prescribed burning and mowing over successive seasons, herbicide Reproduces by crown SPECIES NAME Cynanchum louiseae Kartesz & Gandhi COMMON NAME Black swallow-wort FAMILY Asclepiadaceae SYNONYMS Cynanchum nigrum (L.) Pers., non Cav., Vincetoxicum nigrum (L.) Moench NPS CODE CYNLOU NPS NORTHEASTERN STATUS Invasive THREAT Forms dense stands of many individuals. INVASIVE ECOLOGY Thrives in almost any upland habitat. Grows rapidly and overgrows native vegetation. Wind dispersal allows dispersal over long distances. Can resprout vigorously from a cut shoot. HABITAT Woods, moist sunny places, grassy slopes and stream banks. GEOGRAPHIC ORIGIN Europe HISTORY OF INTRODUCTION First New England record is from Cambridge in 1876. NORTHEASTERN US DISTRIBUTION Entire Northeast NORTHEASTERN NATIONAL PARKS MIMA, WEFA REPRODUCTION Perennial twining herb, flowers in May through July. Reproduces from seed and vegetative rhizomes. FRUIT AND SEED PRODUCTION Seeds released in August through October and dispersed by wind and occasionally water. CONTROL Digging up root crowns, manual removal of fruit and the use of herbicides are effective control methods. SPECIES NAME Cynanchum rossicum (Kleopov) Barbarich COMMON NAME European Swallow-wort FAMILY Asclepiadaceae SYNONYMS Cynanchum medium acut. Non R. Br., Vincetoxicum medium acut. Non (R. Br.) Dcne., Vincetoxicum rossicum (Kleopov) Barbarich NPS CODE CYNROS NPS NORTHEASTERN STATUS Invasive THREAT Forms dense stands of many individuals. INVASIVE ECOLOGY Can grow rapidly over native vegetation. Can dominate the edge of an open woodland. Wind-dispersed seeds can travel long distances; resprouts vigorously when cut. GEOGRAPHIC ORIGIN Europe HISTORY OF INTRODUCTION Initial introduction unknown, the first record in New England is from New Haven, CT. NORTHEASTERN US DISTRIBUTION New Hampshire, New York, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, and New Jersey NORTHEASTERN NATIONAL PARKS REPRODUCTION Herbaceous perennial vine, reproduces vegetatively with rhizomes and from seed. FRUIT AND SEED PRODUCTION Abundant seeds released in late summer into fall. Seeds dispersed by wind and occasionally water. CONTROL Pulling of root crowns, removal of fruits, and herbicides. SPECIES NAME Dactylis glomerata L. COMMON NAME Orchard grass FAMILY Poaceae NPS CODE DACGLO NPS NORTHEASTERN STATUS Potentially invasive in an anthropogenic landscape. THREAT Can disperse into and become established in minimally managed habitats. INVASIVE ECOLOGY Shade tolerant, tolerant of poor drainage, shallow, infertile and poorly drained soils. Withstands heavy grazing. Has a high seed set. HABITAT Roadsides, lawns, fields, ditch banks and open woodlands. GEOGRAPHIC ORIGIN Eurasia, North Africa HISTORY OF INTRODUCTION Introduced intentionally in 1760 from Europe as a hay and pasture grass. NORTHEASTERN US DISTRIBUTION Entire Northeast NORTHEASTERN NATIONAL PARKS ACAD, DEWA, MIMA REPRODUCTION Perennial bunchgrass, flowers in April through July. Forms seeds and tillers. FRUIT AND SEED PRODUCTION CONTROL Hand pulling young plants and herbicide. SPECIES NAME Egeria densa Planch. COMMON NAME Brazilian water-weed FAMILY Hydrocharitaceae SYNONYMS Elodea densa (Planch.) Caspary NPS CODE EGEDEN NPS NORTHEASTERN STATUS Invasive THREAT Dense growth can choke a water body. INVASIVE ECOLOGY Grows well in aquatic, river or stream and lake or pond habitats. Can form dense monotypic stands and crowd out native aquatics. Reproduces easily via plant fragments. Creates a poor habitat for fish. HABITAT Freshwater lakes and ponds GEOGRAPHIC ORIGIN Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay HISTORY OF INTRODUCTION First offered for sale in the U.S. in 1915 as a popular aquarium plant. NORTHEASTERN US DISTRIBUTION All of the Northeast except Maine and Rhode Island NORTHEASTERN NATIONAL PARKS REPRODUCTION Submersed, aquatic, dioecious herb. Vegetative reproduction only. FRUIT AND SEED PRODUCTION Only the staminate form has been reported in the Northeast. Dispersed by water birds, attached to boats and from aquariums and water gardens. CONTROL Herbicide, drawing down of the water, shading of the invaded area with an opaque cover, and harvesting after the plant has completely invaded an area. N.B. Readily available in most aquarium stores as an “oxygenating plant.” SPECIES NAME Elaeagnus angustifolia L. COMMON NAME Russian olive FAMILY Elaeagnaceae NPS CODE ELAANG NPS NORTHEASTERN STATUS Potentially invasive THREAT Can produce many offspring. INVASIVE ECOLOGY Fast growth rate, salt tolerant, very tough and adaptable, fixes nitrogen, can grow in any soil. A serious problem in the Midwest where it has outcompeted the native plains cottonwood. In the Northeast, it only rarely escapes. Can form root shoots and suckers. GEOGRAPHIC ORIGIN Southern Europe, Asia and through the Himalayas HISTORY OF INTRODUCTION Introduced to the United States in the late 1800s. Escaped from cultivation in the west in the 1940s-1960s. Introduced the Northeast when planted along roadsides and in gardens. NORTHEASTERN US DISTRIBUTION Maine, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island. NORTHEASTERN NATIONAL PARKS ALPO REPRODUCTION Deciduous shrub or small tree, flowers in June and July. Reproduces vegetatively and from seed. FRUIT AND SEED PRODUCTION Fruits mature in August to September and contain one large seed each. Seeds dispersed by birds and small mammals. CONTROL Mowing of seedlings and sprouts, cutting or girdling of stems, prescribed burning and herbicide application. SPECIES NAME Elaeagnus umbellata Thunb. COMMON NAME Autumn olive FAMILY Elaeagnaceae NPS CODE ELAUMB NPS NORTHEASTERN STATUS Invasive THREAT Produces prodigious amounts of bird-dispersed fruits that can give rise to dense, near monotypic stands; outcompetes native species and grows rapidly producing fruits within five years. INVASIVE ECOLOGY Fast growth rate, weedy appearance. Tolerant of drought, heat and wind. Thrives in lowfertility, acid, loamy and sandy soils. Nitrogen-fixes. Can produce up to 80 pounds of fruit per season. Resprouts abundantly if cut. GEOGRAPHIC ORIGIN China, Korea and Japan HISTORY OF INTRODUCTION First cultivated in the U.S. in 1830 from Japan. Used to revegetate disturbed habitats. NORTHEASTERN US DISTRIBUTION Entire Northeast NORTHEASTERN NATIONAL PARKS DEWA, MIMA, WEFA REPRODUCTION Deciduous shrub or small tree, flowers in May. Reproduces vegetatively and from seed. FRUIT AND SEED PRODUCTION Fruits ripen in September to October, and are dispersed by birds and small mammals. CONTROL Cutting the plant and painting the stem with herbicide, or hand pulling young seedlings. SPECIES NAME Euonymus alatus (Thunb.) Siebold COMMON NAME Winged euonymus FAMILY Celastraceae NPS CODE EUOALA NPS NORTHEASTERN STATUS Invasive THREAT High seedling production gives rise to dense stands. Grows well and produces fruits in closed-canopy forests. Often found along trails and woodland openings. INVASIVE ECOLOGY Tolerant of many conditions and soil types, pH adaptable, has no serious pest problems. Grows well in open or disturbed areas as well as an understory plant in forests. Can form dense thickets and crowd and shade out native plants. Produces abundant seeds. GEOGRAPHIC ORIGIN Northeastern Asia, Japan, central China HISTORY OF INTRODUCTION Introduced as an ornamental shrub around 1860. NORTHEASTERN US DISTRIBUTION Entire Northeast NORTHEASTERN NATIONAL PARKS MIMA, WEFA REPRODUCTION Deciduous shrub, flowers in late April to June. Cultivar “Compactus” reproduced from cuttings – its seeds produce typically winged individuals. FRUIT AND SEED PRODUCTION Fruits ripen from September to October and contain up to four seeds each. Seeds are usually bird dispersed or fall below the plant. CONTROL Foliar herbicide or herbicide pained onto cut stem. SPECIES NAME Euonymus fortunei (Turcz.) Hand.-Maz. COMMON NAME Winter creeper, Climbing euonymus FAMILY Celastraceae NPS CODE EUOFOR NPS NORTHEASTERN STATUS Potentially invasive THREAT Can form dense thicket or climb existing trees. INVASIVE ECOLOGY Fast growth rate, easy to propagate, tolerant of most conditions except wet sites, pH adaptable, shade tolerant. Can form dense groundcover, outcompetes native vegetation by depleting soil moisture and nutrients and by blocking sunlight. Forms dense vegetative mats. Is rarely seen far from cultivation. GEOGRAPHIC ORIGIN China HISTORY OF INTRODUCTION Introduced in 1907 as an ornamental groundcover. There are many cultivars of this species. NORTHEASTERN US DISTRIBUTION New York, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland and Virginia NORTHEASTERN NATIONAL PARKS REPRODUCTION Evergreen clinging vine, flowers from June to July. Reproduces vegetatively. Bird, wildlife and water dispersed. Seedlings appear to be uncommon. FRUIT AND SEED PRODUCTION Fruits ripen in October and persist. CONTROL Grubbing, hand pulling, herbicide and herbicide applied to cut stems. SPECIES NAME Euphorbia esula L. COMMON NAME Leafy spurge FAMILY Euphorbiaceae NPS CODE EUPESU NPS NORTHEASTERN STATUS Potentially invasive THREAT Forms dense, near monotypic stands. INVASIVE ECOLOGY Displaces natives by shading, usurping water and nutrients, and has a toxin that prevents plants from growing underneath. Aggressive, tolerant of many soil conditions. Grows well in disturbed sites. High seed germination rate and long seed bank time. Emerges early in the season. HABITAT Open habitats, waste areas, pastures, roadsides and cultivated fields. GEOGRAPHIC ORIGIN Europe and Asia HISTORY OF INTRODUCTION Introduced in the early 1800s most likely from a seed impurity. NORTHEASTERN US DISTRIBUTION Entire Northeast NORTHEASTERN NATIONAL PARKS MIMA REPRODUCTION Perennial herb, flowers mid June. Reproduces vegetatively and from seed. Mechanical explosive seed dispersal as well as by water and wildlife. FRUIT AND SEED PRODUCTION About 200 seeds per stalk. Seeds disperse in July. CONTROL Biocontrol including insects and sheep, herbicides with mowing. SPECIES NAME Festuca elatior L. COMMON NAME Tall fescue FAMILY Poaceae SYNONYMS Lolium pratense (Huds.) S.J. Darbyshire, Festuca pratensis Huds. NPS CODE FESELA NPS NORTHEASTERN STATUS Potentially invasive in anthropogenic landscapes. THREAT Individuals can disperse into minimally managed habitats. INVASIVE ECOLOGY Tolerant of wide moisture, temperature and pH ranges. Can grow in calcareous and sandy soils. Crowds out native plants. HABITAT Pastures, roadsides, valleys, moist to dry sites along roadsides and waterways in meadows, fallow fields and other disturbed sites. GEOGRAPHIC ORIGIN Northern Europe and east to central Asia, south to Caucasus and to Asia Minor. HISTORY OF INTRODUCTION Introduced from England to the United States for pasture and hay. NORTHEASTERN US DISTRIBUTION Entire Northeast NORTHEASTERN NATIONAL PARKS REPRODUCTION Perennial bunchgrass, flowers from May to July. FRUIT AND SEED PRODUCTION Dispersed by horse and cattle manure, and intentionally by humans. CONTROL Prescribed burning and herbicide SPECIES NAME Festuca filiformis, Lam. COMMON NAME Hair fescue FAMILY Poaceae SYNONYMS Leptochloa panicea spp. Brachiata (Steudl.) N. Snow, Festuca capillata Lam. NPS CODE FESFIL NPS NORTHEASTERN STATUS Potentially invasive THREAT Individuals can disperse into and become established in minimally managed habitats. INVASIVE ECOLOGY Grows well in sand and in well-drained soils. GEOGRAPHIC ORIGIN HISTORY OF INTRODUCTION NORTHEASTERN US DISTRIBUTION Entire Northeast NORTHEASTERN NATIONAL PARKS REPRODUCTION FRUIT AND SEED PRODUCTION CONTROL SPECIES NAME Frangula alnus P. Mill COMMON NAME Glossy buckthorn FAMILY Rhamnaceae SYNONYMS Rhamnus frangula L. NPS CODE FRAALN NPS NORTHEASTERN STATUS Invasive THREAT Produces high numbers of seeds, forming dense, near monotypic stands. INVASIVE ECOLOGY Can form dense stands in wetlands that shade and prevent growth of other species. Withstands nutrient poor soils. Readily dispersed by birds and able to be dispersed through the summer and fall. Host to crown rust fungi (infects oats). Flowers in spring and has produced some ripe fruits by mid-summer. Some ripe fruits usually available until frost. HABITAT Wetlands, disturbed areas such as forest edges, fence rows, abandoned fields, roadsides, and in thickets, rocky sites, riparian woods and prairies. GEOGRAPHIC ORIGIN Europe, North Africa and Central Asia HISTORY OF INTRODUCTION Introduced to the United States before 1800, began to invade in early 1900s. NORTHEASTERN US DISTRIBUTION Maine south to Pennsylvania and New Jersey NORTHEASTERN NATIONAL PARKS ACAD, MABI, MIMA REPRODUCTION Deciduous small tree, flowers in May to September. Flowers in May and June FRUIT AND SEED PRODUCTION Fruits mature in July to August. Seeds each contain three to four seeds and are dispersed by birds, waterfowl and some small mammals. CONTROL Hand pulling, mowing or burning for several consecutive years, girdling, underplanting, excavating and applying herbicides on leaves or cut stems. SPECIES NAME Hedera helix L. COMMON NAME English ivy FAMILY Araliaceae NPS CODE HEDHEL NPS NORTHEASTERN STATUS Potentially invasive THREAT Can produce dense, monotypic stands that outcompete other vegetation. Can also climb. INVASIVE ECOLOGY Soil adaptable, pH tolerant, somewhat salt tolerant. Dense mat growth habit. Dominates understory, blankets and kills all other vegetation. Fruiting branches are uncommon. GEOGRAPHIC ORIGIN Europe, western Asia and north Africa HISTORY OF INTRODUCTION Introduced in Colonial times from Europe as an ornamental landscape plant. NORTHEASTERN US DISTRIBUTION Entire Northeast except for Maine, Vermont and New Hampshire. May not exist away from sites of intentional human introduction in northern New England. NORTHEASTERN NATIONAL PARKS REPRODUCTION Woody evergreen climber with perennial stems. Reproduces from stem cuttings and will root where the vine touches the ground. Flowers in the fall. FRUIT AND SEED PRODUCTION Produce fruits in Spring following flowering; each contains 2 to 5 seeds. Fruits often persist through the winter. CONTROL Herbicide, persistent cutting and hand-pulling. SPECIES NAME Hemerocallis fulva (L.) L. COMMON NAME Orange daylily FAMILY Liliacaeae NPS CODE HEMFUL NPS NORTHEASTERN STATUS Potentially invasive in an anthropogenic landscape. THREAT Spreads vegetatively forming dense, monotypic stands. INVASIVE ECOLOGY Drought resistant, tolerant of a wide range of soil conditions. GEOGRAPHIC ORIGIN East Asia HISTORY OF INTRODUCTION Escaped from cultivation in the United States. NORTHEASTERN US DISTRIBUTION Entire Northeast NORTHEASTERN NATIONAL PARKS DEWA REPRODUCTION Perennial forb, flowers June through August. rhizomes FRUIT AND SEED PRODUCTION Sterile triploid CONTROL Reproduces vegetatively by spreading SPECIES NAME Heracleum mantegazzianum Sommier & Levier COMMON NAME Giant hogweed FAMILY Apiaceae NPS CODE HERMAN NPS NORTHEASTERN STATUS Potentially invasive, on the federal noxious weed list. THREAT Produces copious amounts of seed that can give rise to numerous offspring. INVASIVE ECOLOGY Can outcompete native species for habitat and causes increased soil erosion. GEOGRAPHIC ORIGIN Caucasus Mountains and southwest Asia. HISTORY OF INTRODUCTION Introduced as a garden plant to the United States in 1917. NORTHEASTERN US DISTRIBUTION Maine, Vermont, Connecticut, New York and Pennsylvania NORTHEASTERN NATIONAL PARKS ACAD REPRODUCTION Herbaceous biennial or monocarpic perennial flowers from June to July. Seeds dispersed by water or planting by humans as garden ornamentals. FRUIT AND SEED PRODUCTION Abundant seed CONTROL Herbicides, hand digging, and possibly biocontrol by cattle and pigs N.B. Has poisonous sap that causes blistering and burns to the skin when exposed to sunlight. SPECIES NAME Hesperis matronalis L. COMMON NAME Dame’s rocket FAMILY Brassicaceae NPS CODE HESMAT NPS NORTHEASTERN STATUS Invasive THREAT Produces many seeds and can form dense stands. INVASIVE ECOLOGY Grows well in riparian habitats, rich woodlands and roadsides. Often planted in gardens and along roads. Often thought of as a native wildflower. Crowds out native vegetation and produces a great number of seeds and has a long reproductive season. Dense stands produces great variety of flower colors. GEOGRAPHIC ORIGIN Europe HISTORY OF INTRODUCTION Introduced to the United States in 1600(?) for garden and medicinal use. NORTHEASTERN US DISTRIBUTION Entire Northeast NORTHEASTERN NATIONAL PARKS DEWA REPRODUCTION Herbaceous biennial or perennial, flowers from May to July. Reproduces vegetatively and from seed. FRUIT AND SEED PRODUCTION Seeds dispersed mechanically, sometimes planted as part of a “native” wildflower mix. CONTROL Cutting flower heads after they bloom, hand pulling, and herbicide. SPECIES NAME Humulus japonicus Sieb. & Zucc. COMMON NAME Japanese hops FAMILY Cannabaceae SYNONYMS Humulus scandens auct. non (Lour.) Merr. NPS CODE HUMJAP NPS NORTHEASTERN STATUS Invasive INVASIVE ECOLOGY Drought tolerant, rapid growth rate. Often seen in dense thickets along river shores and in calcareous wetlands. GEOGRAPHIC ORIGIN Eastern Europe HISTORY OF INTRODUCTION NORTHEASTERN US DISTRIBUTION Entire Northeast NORTHEASTERN NATIONAL PARKS REPRODUCTION Annual vine, flowers in midsummer through fall FRUIT AND SEED PRODUCTION CONTROL SPECIES NAME Hydrilla verticillata (L. f.) Royle COMMON NAME Hydrilla FAMILY Hydrocharitaceae NPS CODE HYDVER NPS NORTHEASTERN STATUS Invasive THREAT Dense rapid growth can choke water bodies. INVASIVE ECOLOGY Grows in still and running water. pH and salinity tolerant, and tolerant of both oligotrophic and eutrophic lakes. Forms dense, monotypic mats that shade and choke out native vegetation. Shade tolerant. Raises pH of water, decreases oxygen and raises water temperature. Causes water to stagnate. HABITAT Rivers, lakes and ponds. GEOGRAPHIC ORIGIN Uganda and Tanzania HISTORY OF INTRODUCTION Introduced to the United States in the 1950s in Florida for use as an aquarium plant. First recorded outside of cultivation in 1960. The first New England record is from Connecticut in 1989. NORTHEASTERN US DISTRIBUTION Massachusetts, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware and Maryland. NORTHEASTERN NATIONAL PARKS REPRODUCTION Submerged, aquatic perennial herb in both monoeceous and dioecious form. Can reproduce vegetatively, by seed, and by stem turion. Dispersed by waterfowl and boats. FRUIT AND SEED PRODUCTION CONTROL Lake drawdowns, mechanical harvesters, biocontrol fish and insects and herbicides. Boaters should clean their boats and trailers before leaving boat ramps. N.B. Closely resembles native Elodea species. SPECIES NAME Hypericum prolificum L. COMMON NAME Shrubby St. Johnswort FAMILY Clusiaceae SYNONYMS Hypericum spathulatum (Spach) Steud. NPS CODE HYPPRO NPS NORTHEASTERN STATUS Potentially invasive THREAT Can produce numerous individuals. INVASIVE ECOLOGY Does well in dry, rocky soils, calcareous soils, pH adaptable GEOGRAPHIC ORIGIN New Jersey to Iowa HISTORY OF INTRODUCTION Introduced around 1750. NORTHEASTERN US DISTRIBUTION Entire Northeast NORTHEASTERN NATIONAL PARKS ACAD REPRODUCTION Deciduous perennial shrub, flowers in July through September. Reproduces by cuttings or seed. FRUIT AND SEED PRODUCTION Fruits ripen in September and persist all winter. CONTROL SPECIES NAME Impatiens glandulifera Royle COMMON NAME Himalayan jewelweed FAMILY Balsaminaceae SYNONYMS Impatiens roylei Walp. NPS CODE IMPGLA NPS NORTHEASTERN STATUS Potentially invasive THREAT Can produce a large number of individuals in dense stands. INVASIVE ECOLOGY Grows well in a wide range of soil types, partially shade tolerant. Has a fast growth rate. Seeds are abundant (2500 seeds per plant), viable for 18 months after production and are dispersed explosively. Competes for pollinators from natives and produces abundant nectar. GEOGRAPHIC ORIGIN Himalayas, India HISTORY OF INTRODUCTION Probably as an ornamental NORTHEASTERN US DISTRIBUTION Maine, Vermont, New York, Massachusetts NORTHEASTERN NATIONAL PARKS REPRODUCTION Herbaceous annual forb, flowers June through October, reproduces by seed. Dispersal is mechanical or by water. FRUIT AND SEED PRODUCTION Up to 800 seeds per capsule. CONTROL Herbicide, grazing and hand-pulling SPECIES NAME Iris pseudacorus L. COMMON NAME Yellow iris FAMILY Iridaceae NPS CODE IRIPSE NPS NORTHEASTERN STATUS Potentially invasive THREAT Large numbers of individuals can form dense stands. INVASIVE ECOLOGY Grows well in freshwater wetlands, tolerant of high acidity and salinity. Forms large clonal populations that displace native species. Rhizomes survive drought and seeds survive burns. Poisonous to grazing animals and can cause skin irritation to humans. GEOGRAPHIC ORIGIN Europe, Caucasus Mountains, western Asia and north Africa HISTORY OF INTRODUCTION Introduced to the United States as a garden planting in the mid 1800s. Used for erosion control and in sewage treatment plants. NORTHEASTERN US DISTRIBUTION Entire Northeast NORTHEASTERN NATIONAL PARKS REPRODUCTION Herbaceous perennial, flowers from April to June. Seeds are water dispersed. Plants also distributed via rhizomes planted by gardeners. Seeds and rhizomes can disperse downstream. FRUIT AND SEED PRODUCTION Fruits contain approximately 120 seeds each. CONTROL Mechanical harvesters and herbicides. SPECIES NAME Lepidium latifolium L. COMMON NAME Tall pepperwort FAMILY Brassicaceae SYNONYMS Cardaria latifolia (L.) Spach NPS CODE LEPLAT NPS NORTHEASTERN STATUS Potentially invasive THREAT Large numbers of individuals form dense, nearly monotypic stands. INVASIVE ECOLOGY Deep-seated rootstocks, forms dense monospecific stands, displaces native plants and animals. Has salt pumping capabilities and is adaptable to a wide range of habitats. Salt tolerance allows the species to grow along the roadside and along the upper edges of salt marshes. GEOGRAPHIC ORIGIN Southern Europe and western Asia HISTORY OF INTRODUCTION In cultivation by the Harvard Botanic Garden around 1879. NORTHEASTERN US DISTRIBUTION Coastal Northeast NORTHEASTERN NATIONAL PARKS REPRODUCTION Herbaceous perennial forb, flowers in early summer to fall. FRUIT AND SEED PRODUCTION Fruits mature in late spring through summer. Each fruit contains two seeds. A one-acre infestation can produce over six billion seeds per acre. Dispersed by water, the movement of contaminated soil, via machinery and tires, and by livestock and waterfowl. CONTROL Continual flooding, herbicide, and hand-pulling SPECIES NAME Lespedeza cuneata (Dum.-Cours.) G. Don COMMON NAME Chinese lespedeza FAMILY Fabaceae SYNONYMS Lespedeza sericea Miq. NPS CODE LESCUN NPS NORTHEASTERN STATUS Invasive THREAT Plants produce large numbers of seeds. INVASIVE ECOLOGY Drought tolerant, tolerant of acidic and shallow soil. Crowds out native plants and develops and extensive seed bank. Seeds viable for over 20 years. High in tannin and unpalatable to wildlife and livestock. Can grow in sterile soil. Used in highway “seed mixes” because of its nitrogen-fixing ability. GEOGRAPHIC ORIGIN Japan HISTORY OF INTRODUCTION Introduced to the southern United States from China for erosion control and soil improvement. Hay facilitated spread to the Northeast. NORTHEASTERN US DISTRIBUTION New Jersey, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia NORTHEASTERN NATIONAL PARKS DEWA REPRODUCTION Perennial herb, flowers mid June to early October FRUIT AND SEED PRODUCTION Reproduces by seed. Seeds dispersed by animals, haying of infested fields and possibly by “hydroseeding” along highways. CONTROL Mowing yearly and herbicide SPECIES NAME Lespedeza stipulacea Maxim. COMMON NAME Korean clover FAMILY Fabaceae SYNONYMS Kummerowia stipulacea (Maxim.) Makino NPS CODE LESSTI NPS NORTHEASTERN STATUS Potentially invasive THREAT Produces many seeds which give rise to many new plants. INVASIVE ECOLOGY Drought resistant, can grow in poor soil, fixes nitrogen, reseeds itself. GEOGRAPHIC ORIGIN Japan, Korea, China HISTORY OF INTRODUCTION Introduced to the United States in 1919. NORTHEASTERN US DISTRIBUTION New York, Pennsylvania, Jew Jersey, Maryland, West Virginia, Virginia NORTHEASTERN NATIONAL PARKS REPRODUCTION Annual legume, flowers in June through September FRUIT AND SEED PRODUCTION CONTROL SPECIES NAME Ligustrum obtusifolium Sieb. & Zucc. COMMON NAME Border privet FAMILY Oleaceae NPS CODE LIGOBT NPS NORTHEASTERN STATUS Invasive THREAT Produces copious amounts of seed and can form dense stands. INVASIVE ECOLOGY Extremely adaptable, dense, spreads rapidly GEOGRAPHIC ORIGIN Japan HISTORY OF INTRODUCTION Introduced to the United States in 1860. NORTHEASTERN US DISTRIBUTION Entire Northeast except Maine and Vermont NORTHEASTERN NATIONAL PARKS DEWA REPRODUCTION Semi-evergreen to deciduous shrub, flowers in late May to early June. Reproduces by seed or rhizome. FRUIT AND SEED PRODUCTION Fruits ripen in September and persist until spring. Seeds are bird dispersed and occasionally dispersed by water. CONTROL Mowing, cutting and herbicide SPECIES NAME Ligustrum ovalifolium Hassk. COMMON NAME California privet FAMILY Oleaceae NPS CODE LIGOVA NPS NORTHEASTERN STATUS Potentially invasive THREAT Can produce dense stands and many offspring. INVASIVE ECOLOGY Forms dense thickets, rapid growth rate, shade tolerant, produced abundant seedlings. Sprouts from roots and stumps. GEOGRAPHIC ORIGIN Japan HISTORY OF INTRODUCTION Introduced as an ornamental NORTHEASTERN US DISTRIBUTION Massachusetts, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland and Virginia NORTHEASTERN NATIONAL PARKS REPRODUCTION Evergreen to semi-evergreen shrub, flowers in July. Reproduces by seeds or roots. FRUIT AND SEED PRODUCTION Fruits mature in late summer and fall. CONTROL Herbicide, mowing, cutting SPECIES NAME Lonicera fragrantissima Lindl. & Paxton COMMON NAME Sweet breath of spring FAMILY Caprifoliaceae SYNONYMS Sylosteon fragrantissimum (Lindl. & Paxton) Small NPS CODE LONFRA NPS NORTHEASTERN STATUS Potentially invasive THREAT Can produce many offspring and form dense thickets. INVASIVE ECOLOGY Fast growth rate, easy to grow, adapted to many soils and pH levels, has tremendous shade tolerance GEOGRAPHIC ORIGIN China HISTORY OF INTRODUCTION Introduced to the United States in 1845. NORTHEASTERN US DISTRIBUTION New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia NORTHEASTERN NATIONAL PARKS REPRODUCTION Deciduous shrub, flowers in March and April. Reproduces by cuttings or from seeds. FRUIT AND SEED PRODUCTION Fruits mature in May and June CONTROL SPECIES NAME Lonicera japonica Thunb. COMMON NAME Japanese honeysuckle FAMILY Caprifoliaceae NPS CODE LONJAP NPS NORTHEASTERN STATUS Invasive THREAT Forms dense, monotypic thickets, climbing over other vegetation. Spreads, but does not flower or fruit in shade. INVASIVE ECOLOGY Tends to be weedy and a rampant grower, can spread or climb 15 to 30 feet, grows as a climbing, twining vine or a groundcover. Easy to grow, tolerant of difficult growing sites, and adaptable to most soils. Outcompetes native plants. Persists in shade, not flowering until canopy is opened. HABITAT Moist woodlands, borders of streams, fence rows, disturbed areas, forest edges and midsuccessional communities. GEOGRAPHIC ORIGIN Eastern Asia HISTORY OF INTRODUCTION Introduced to the United States in 1806. NORTHEASTERN US DISTRIBUTION Entire Northeast except Vermont NORTHEASTERN NATIONAL PARKS BOHA, CACO, DEWA, GATE, MABI, MIMA, SAGA, WEFA REPRODUCTION Deciduous shrub, flowers in late April through July. Reproduces by cuttings. FRUIT AND SEED PRODUCTION Fruits ripen in August through October. CONTROL Prescribed fire, herbicide, mowing, hand-pulling SPECIES NAME Lonicera maackii (Rupr.) Herder COMMON NAME Amur honeysuckle FAMILY Caprifoliaceae NPS CODE LONMAA NPS NORTHEASTERN STATUS Invasive THREAT Produces many seeds and can form dense stands. INVASIVE ECOLOGY Shade tolerant, free of pests, easy to grow, adaptable to most soils. Self sows, weedy and can be a rampant grower. GEOGRAPHIC ORIGIN Manchuria and Korea HISTORY OF INTRODUCTION Introduced 1855-1860 NORTHEASTERN US DISTRIBUTION Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, West Virginia, Virginia NORTHEASTERN NATIONAL PARKS REPRODUCTION Deciduous shrub, flowers in May and June. Reproduces by cuttings or by seeds. FRUIT AND SEED PRODUCTION Fruits ripen in October and are dispersed by birds and small mammals. CONTROL Grubbing, pulling seedlings, cutting, prescribed burning, herbicide SPECIES NAME Lonicera morrowii Gray COMMON NAME Morrow’s honeysuckle FAMILY Caprifoliaceae NPS CODE LONMOR NPS NORTHEASTERN STATUS Invasive THREAT Produces many bird-dispersed fruits and can form dense thickets. This species crosses with Lonicera tatarica and their hybrid gives rise to many taxonomically indistinct offspring. INVASIVE ECOLOGY Fast growth rate, easy to grow, produce abundant, many-seeded berries, rapidly invade and overtake an area, compete with native plants for resources such as light, nutrients and pollinators. Seeds remain viable for up to two years in the soil. Possibly secrete allelopathic chemicals into the ground, preventing the growth of other species. Shade tolerant. Grows especially well in calcareous soils. HABITAT Near human habitation, wetlands, prairies, forests, stream banks and lake shores. GEOGRAPHIC ORIGIN Japan HISTORY OF INTRODUCTION Introduced to the United States in 1975. NORTHEASTERN US DISTRIBUTION Entire Northeast NORTHEASTERN NATIONAL PARKS ACAD, BOHA, CACO, DEWA, MIMA, WEFA REPRODUCTION Deciduous shrub, flowers in May. Reproduces by cuttings or seeds. FRUIT AND SEED PRODUCTION Fruits ripen in July though September, and are bird dispersed. CONTROL Hand pulling, cutting, prescribed burning. European honeysuckle aphid recently introduced to control reproduction. SPECIES NAME Lonicera standishii Jacques COMMON NAME Standish honeysuckle FAMILY Caprifoliaceae NPS CODE LONSTA NPS NORTHEASTERN STATUS Invasive THREAT Can form dense thickets. INVASIVE ECOLOGY Forms thickets and shrub layers that crowd and shade out native plants. Decreases light, depletes soil of moisture and nutrients. Competes with natives for pollinators. Grows vigorously and has the ability to invade rapidly. GEOGRAPHIC ORIGIN Asia and western Europe HISTORY OF INTRODUCTION Probably introduced to the United States as an ornamental. NORTHEASTERN US DISTRIBUTION Entire Northeast NORTHEASTERN NATIONAL PARKS REPRODUCTION Semi-evergreen shrub, flowers in April. FRUIT AND SEED PRODUCTION Fruits mature in May and June and are dispersed by birds. CONTROL Hand pulling of seedlings, cutting, herbicide and prescribed fire. SPECIES NAME Lonicera tatarica L. COMMON NAME Tatarian honeysuckle FAMILY Caprifoliaceae NPS CODE LONTAR NPS NORTHEASTERN STATUS Invasive THREAT Can form, along with its hybrid offspring, dense thickets. INVASIVE ECOLOGY Easy to grow and adaptable to most soils. Weedy, tends to self sow. Withstands flooding, drought, shade and temperature extremes. Invades rapidly, creates a dense shrub layer which crowds and shades native plants. Depletes soil of moisture and nutrients and competes with natives for pollinators. Crosses with Lonicera morrowii to form Lonicera X bella. GEOGRAPHIC ORIGIN Central Asia to southern Russia HISTORY OF INTRODUCTION Introduced to the United States in 1752 as an ornamental, and for shelterbelts, erosion control, wildlife food and cover. NORTHEASTERN US DISTRIBUTION Entire Northeast NORTHEASTERN NATIONAL PARKS CACO, BOHA REPRODUCTION Shrub, flowers late April through June. Reproduces by cuttings or seed. FRUIT AND SEED PRODUCTION Fruits mature July through September and are dispersed by birds. CONTROL Cutting, pulling, hand-grubbing, herbicide applied to cut stumps, and biocontrol (an aphid species). SPECIES NAME Lonicera X bella Zabel (Lonicera tatarica x Lonicera morrowii) COMMON NAME Bella honeysuckle FAMILY Caprifoliaceae NPS CODE LONBEL NPS NORTHEASTERN STATUS Invasive THREAT Produces many offspring that form dense thickets. This hybrid back-crosses giving rise to many taxonomically indistinct offspring. INVASIVE ECOLOGY Capable of rapid invasion, creates a dense shrub layer which crowds and shades native plants. Decreases light and depletes soil of moisture and nutrients. Grows vigorously and competes with native plants for pollinators. Possibly use allelopathic chemical to prevent the growth of other species. Shade tolerant. Grows exceptionally well in calcareous soils. HABITAT Near human habitation, wetlands, prairies, forests, stream banks, and lake shores. GEOGRAPHIC ORIGIN Asia HISTORY OF INTRODUCTION Introduced to the United States in the late 1800s by seeds from Russia. NORTHEASTERN US DISTRIBUTION Entire Northeast NORTHEASTERN NATIONAL PARKS ACAD, MIMA, SAGA, WEFA REPRODUCTION Shrub, flowers in May and June. Reproduces from seed and occasionally vegetatively. FRUIT AND SEED PRODUCTION Fruits mature July through September. Dispersed by birds. CONTROL Hand pulling of seedlings, cutting, herbicide and prescribed burning. Recently, the European honeysuckle aphid as been introduced to control reproduction. SPECIES NAME Lonicera xylosteum L. COMMON NAME European fly-honeysuckle FAMILY Caprifoliaceae NPS CODE LONXYL NPS NORTHEASTERN STATUS Invasive THREAT Can produce many fruits giving rise to many offspring. INVASIVE ECOLOGY Fast growth rate, easy to grow, tolerant of difficult growing sites, adaptable to most soils. Urban tolerant, adaptable, tolerant of poor soils, pH tolerant, tolerant of drought, salt spray and heavy pruning. GEOGRAPHIC ORIGIN Europe HISTORY OF INTRODUCTION NORTHEASTERN US DISTRIBUTION Entire Northeast NORTHEASTERN NATIONAL PARKS REPRODUCTION Shrub, flowers in early May and June. Reproduces by rooted stem cuttings and seeds. FRUIT AND SEED PRODUCTION Fruits mature in July and August CONTROL Hand pulling of seedlings, cutting, herbicide and prescribed burning. SPECIES NAME Luzula luzuloides (Lam.) Dandy & Wilmott COMMON NAME Oakforest woodrush FAMILY Juncaceae SYNONYMS Juncoides nemorosum (Pollard) Kuntze NPS CODE LUZLUZ NPS NORTHEASTERN STATUS Potentially invasive THREAT Many individuals can form dense stands. INVASIVE ECOLOGY GEOGRAPHIC ORIGIN Europe HISTORY OF INTRODUCTION NORTHEASTERN US DISTRIBUTION Entire Northeast NORTHEASTERN NATIONAL PARKS REPRODUCTION FRUIT AND SEED PRODUCTION CONTROL SPECIES NAME Lythrum salicaria L. COMMON NAME Purple loosestrife FAMILY Lythraceae NPS CODE LYTSAL NPS NORTHEASTERN STATUS Invasive THREAT Individuals can produce high numbers of seeds. Forms dense stands that many exclude other species. INVASIVE ECOLOGY Crowds and shades out native vegetation, tolerant of a wide range of soils, pH and shade tolerant. Creates dense, monospecific stands, has an extended flowering season, invades wetlands, produces over 2.5 million seeds per mature plant annually. HABITAT Low-lying coastal areas, wetlands, banks of streams and ponds, flood plains, wet pastures, irrigation canals, ditches and waterways. GEOGRAPHIC ORIGIN Eurasia HISTORY OF INTRODUCTION First reported in 1814 in the United States. Introduced as an ornamental and for medicinal uses. NORTHEASTERN US DISTRIBUTION Entire Northeast NORTHEASTERN NATIONAL PARKS ACAD, BAHA, CACO, DEWA, MIMA, SAGA, SAIR, SARA, UPDE REPRODUCTION Perennial subshrub, flowers in July through October. Reproduces by seed and vegetatively through underground stems. FRUIT AND SEED PRODUCTION Seeds are dispersed by water, wind, waterfowl and birds. CONTROL Mowing, plowing, herbicide, hand pulling, replacement with other species, biological control. SPECIES NAME Microstegium vimineum (Trin.) A. Camus COMMON NAME Japanese stiltgrass FAMILY Poaceae SYNONYMS Andropogon vimineu Trin., Eulalia viminea (Trin.) Kuntze NPS CODE MICVIM NPS NORTHEASTERN STATUS Invasive THREAT This highly invasive annual produces many seeds that give rise to many individuals. Rapidly forms dense carpets in upland woods and wetland forests. INVASIVE ECOLOGY Able to form dense stands that dominate habitats, displace native understories and wetland species. Easily invades disturbed areas and can produce seeds in low light. Forms monotypic stands and produces many seeds. Seed banks are fire resistant and remain in the soil for three years. HABITAT Flood plains, stream banks, woodland edges, moist fields and meadows and swamps. GEOGRAPHIC ORIGIN Asia HISTORY OF INTRODUCTION Introduced to the United States in Tennessee in 1919 possibly as packing material. Reached southern New England by the 1980s. NORTHEASTERN US DISTRIBUTION Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and southwards. NORTHEASTERN NATIONAL PARKS DEWA, MORR REPRODUCTION Annual grass, flowers beginning in mid-September. FRUIT AND SEED PRODUCTION Fruits mature from late September through early October. Seeds are mechanically dispersed, and dispersed over long distances by humans and animals. CONTROL Prevention, hand pulling, herbicide, and prolonged flooding SPECIES NAME Miscanthus sinensis Anderss. COMMON NAME Eulalia FAMILY Poaceae NPS CODE MISSIN NPS NORTHEASTERN STATUS Potentially invasive THREAT Can escape and become established especially in sandy soils; clumps can form dense stands. INVASIVE ECOLOGY Adaptable to poor soil, compacted soil, a large pH range, heat and drought. Clump-forming. GEOGRAPHIC ORIGIN China HISTORY OF INTRODUCTION Cultivated in the United States as an ornamental and later escaped. NORTHEASTERN US DISTRIBUTION Entire Northeast, except for Maine, Vermont and New Hampshire NORTHEASTERN NATIONAL PARKS REPRODUCTION Perennial grass, flowers in late July through frost. Reproduces by crown division. FRUIT AND SEED PRODUCTION Early flowering cultivars set seed, however seed doesn’t mature in late flowering cultivars. CONTROL SPECIES NAME Morus alba L. COMMON NAME White mulberry FAMILY Moraceae SYNONYMS Morus tatarica L. NPS CODE MORALB NPS NORTHEASTERN STATUS Potentially invasive THREAT Produces large amounts of bird-dispersed fruits, each with many seeds. INVASIVE ECOLOGY Fast growing, tolerant of drought, urban and seaside conditions, can also exist in disturbed woodlands. Low pH, frost, poor soil, shade, slope and weed tolerant. GEOGRAPHIC ORIGIN China HISTORY OF INTRODUCTION Introduced to the United States in early Colonial times for silkworm culture. NORTHEASTERN US DISTRIBUTION Entire Northeast NORTHEASTERN NATIONAL PARKS REPRODUCTION Monoecious or dioecious shrub or tree, flowers in May. Reproduces by cuttings or seed. FRUIT AND SEED PRODUCTION Fruits mature in June to July and contain numerous seeds. CONTROL Cutting, girdling, and herbicide. SPECIES NAME Murdannia keisak (Hassk.) Hand.-Maz. COMMON NAME Aneilima FAMILY Commelinaceae SYNONYMS Aneilema keisak Hassk. NPS CODE MURKEI NPS NORTHEASTERN STATUS Potentially invasive THREAT Forms dense stands in open wetlands. INVASIVE ECOLOGY Crowds out native plants, forms a solid growth mat, establishes itself in freshwater wetlands, and forms monoculture growths. GEOGRAPHIC ORIGIN China, Japan, Korea, Tibet HISTORY OF INTRODUCTION Imported to the United States before the 1920s with rice intended for growth in this country. NORTHEASTERN US DISTRIBUTION Maryland, Virigina NORTHEASTERN NATIONAL PARKS REPRODUCTION Annual, flowers in August through late September. Reproduces vegetatively and by seed. FRUIT AND SEED PRODUCTION Produces 1000s of very small seeds. Dispersed by ducks and other waterfowl. CONTROL Herbicide SPECIES NAME Myriophyllum heterophyllum Michx. COMMON NAME Variable watermilfoil FAMILY Haloragaceae NPS CODE MYRHET NPS NORTHEASTERN STATUS Invasive THREAT Forms dense monotypic mats that prohibit sunlight penetration. INVASIVE ECOLOGY Able to completely cover waterways and crowd out native aquatics. Provides mosquito breeding areas and degrades water quality for fish and other aquatic wildlife. GEOGRAPHIC ORIGIN Southern United States; naturalized in New England. Native to parts of New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. HISTORY OF INTRODUCTION Dispersed to New England around 1932 via waterways. Possibly intentionally introduced. NORTHEASTERN US DISTRIBUTION New England and southwards NORTHEASTERN NATIONAL PARKS REPRODUCTION Herbaceous aquatic plant, flowers from June through September. Reproduces vegetatively and by seed. Vegetative parts are dispersed by people and animals. FRUIT AND SEED PRODUCTION Fruits appear from June through September. CONTROL SPECIES NAME Myriophyllum spicatum L. COMMON NAME European watermilfoil FAMILY Haloragaceae NPS CODE MYRSPI NPS NORTHEASTERN STATUS Invasive THREAT Forms dense monotypic mats that prohibit sunlight penetration. INVASIVE ECOLOGY Grows in both still and running water, tolerant of highly alkaline conditions and of brackish water. Forms dense mats and crowds out native aquatics. Tolerant of eutrophic conditions. Creates mosquito habitat and reduced oxygen levels in the water. Also cause a change in temperature and pH. Roots can overwinter. HABITAT Aquatic habitats such as ponds, lakes and rivers. GEOGRAPHIC ORIGIN Europe, Asia and North Africa HISTORY OF INTRODUCTION First recorded in the United States in Washington, D.C. in 1942. Introduced via escape from cultivation and as an aquarium plant NORTHEASTERN US DISTRIBUTION Entire Northeast except Maine NORTHEASTERN NATIONAL PARKS REPRODUCTION Aquatic perennial, vegetatively dispersed FRUIT AND SEED PRODUCTION Fruits contain four seeds each CONTROL Herbicides, blocking sunlight, water level drawdowns, cutting and harvesting after the plant has filled the available niche, possibly insects, and grass carp. Boaters should clean their boats and trailers before leaving boat ramps. SPECIES NAME Ornithogalum umbellatum L. COMMON NAME Star of Bethlehem FAMILY Liliaceae NPS CODE ORNUMB NPS NORTHEASTERN STATUS Potentially invasive THREAT Seeds and vegetative propagules (bulbs) easily dispersed, especially in flood plains. INVASIVE ECOLOGY Tolerant of summer drought. Spring geophyte. Appears to infrequently set seed in New England. GEOGRAPHIC ORIGIN Europe and Asia Minor HISTORY OF INTRODUCTION Introduced to the United States as an ornamental. NORTHEASTERN US DISTRIBUTION Entire Northeast NORTHEASTERN NATIONAL PARKS WEFA REPRODUCTION Herbaceous perennial, flowers April through June. Reproduces via bulbs. FRUIT AND SEED PRODUCTION Fruit contains several seeds. CONTROL Hand digging SPECIES NAME Paulownia tomentosa (Thunb.) Sieb. & Zucc. ex Steud. COMMON NAME Empress tree FAMILY Scrophulariaceae NPS CODE PAUTOM NPS NORTHEASTERN STATUS Invasive THREAT Each tree produces many seeds which are easily dispersed by wind; can form dense stands in some areas. INVASIVE ECOLOGY Fast growth rate, salt tolerant, drought tolerant. Tolerates infertile and acidic soils, easily adapts to disturbed conditions, burned areas, forests, defoliated areas, landslides, rocky cliffs. Survives fire, cutting and bulldozing. In New England, appears to be restricted to coastal areas. GEOGRAPHIC ORIGIN China HISTORY OF INTRODUCTION Introduced in 1834 as an ornamental landscape tree. Escaped from cultivation from southern New York to Georgia. NORTHEASTERN US DISTRIBUTION Entire Northeast NORTHEASTERN NATIONAL PARKS REPRODUCTION Deciduous tree, flowers in the spring. Reproduces by seed and root sprouts. FRUIT AND SEED PRODUCTION Fruit capsules can contain up to 2000 winged seeds and each tree produces around 20 million seeds annually. CONTROL Hand pulling seedlings, cutting and applying herbicide, foliar herbicide and girdling. SPECIES NAME Phalaris arundinacea L. COMMON NAME Reed canary-grass FAMILY Poaceae SYNONYMS Phalaris arundinacea (L.) Raeusch. NPS CODE PHAARU NPS NORTHEASTERN STATUS Potentially invasive THREAT Forms very dense stands of many individuals. INVASIVE ECOLOGY Spreads rapidly via rhizomes. Forms dense monocultures. Has little value for wildlife and increases siltation in irrigation banks and ditches. Produces abundant pollen and chaff. GEOGRAPHIC ORIGIN Europe, some native to the United States HISTORY OF INTRODUCTION European cultivars introduced to the United States in the early 1800s as forage grasses and is still used for hay. NORTHEASTERN US DISTRIBUTION Entire Northeast NORTHEASTERN NATIONAL PARKS DEWA REPRODUCTION Perennial grass, flowers from late May to August. FRUIT AND SEED PRODUCTION Seeds are mechanically dispersed and form a dense seed bank. CONTROL Herbicides and burning SPECIES NAME Phellodendron amurense Rupr. COMMON NAME Amur cork tree FAMILY Rutaceae NPS CODE PHEAMU NPS NORTHEASTERN STATUS Potentially invasive THREAT Trees produce many offspring. INVASIVE ECOLOGY Tolerant of many soil types and pHs, tolerant of drought and pollution. Very pest free. Tends to self sow. GEOGRAPHIC ORIGIN China, Manchuria and Japan HISTORY OF INTRODUCTION Introduced in 1856. NORTHEASTERN US DISTRIBUTION Massachusetts and Connecticut NORTHEASTERN NATIONAL PARKS REPRODUCTION Deciduous tree, flowers in June. Reproduces from seed. FRUIT AND SEED PRODUCTION Fruits ripen in October and persist into the winter; each contain 5 seeds. CONTROL SPECIES NAME Phellodendron japonicum Maxim. COMMON NAME Amur cork tree FAMILY Rutaceae NPS CODE PHEJAP NPS NORTHEASTERN STATUS Invasive THREAT Trees produce many offspring. INVASIVE ECOLOGY Tolerant of many soil types and pHs, tolerant of drought and pollution. Very pest free. Tends to self sow. GEOGRAPHIC ORIGIN East Asia HISTORY OF INTRODUCTION NORTHEASTERN US DISTRIBUTION Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania NORTHEASTERN NATIONAL PARKS REPRODUCTION FRUIT AND SEED PRODUCTION Five seeds per fruit CONTROL SPECIES NAME Phellodendron lavallei Dode. COMMON NAME Cork tree FAMILY Rutaceae SYNONYMS Phellodendron amurense var. lavaleii NPS CODE PHELAV NPS NORTHEASTERN STATUS Potentially invasive THREAT Trees produce many offspring. INVASIVE ECOLOGY Tolerant of many soil types and pHs, tolerant of drought and pollution. Very pest free. Tends to self sow. GEOGRAPHIC ORIGIN Japan HISTORY OF INTRODUCTION Introduced to the United States in 1862. NORTHEASTERN US DISTRIBUTION NORTHEASTERN NATIONAL PARKS REPRODUCTION Deciduous tree, flowers in June through July. Reproduces by seed, cuttings and root cuttings. FRUIT AND SEED PRODUCTION CONTROL SPECIES NAME Phleum pratense L. COMMON NAME Timothy FAMILY Poaceae SYNONYMS Phleum nodosum L. NPS CODE PHLPRA NPS NORTHEASTERN STATUS Potentially invasive in an anthropogenic landscape. THREAT Individuals can disperse into and become established in minimally managed habitats. INVASIVE ECOLOGY Tolerant of disease, frost, low pH and weeds. Adaptable to clay soil. HABITAT Roadsides, along waterways and meadows and pastures. GEOGRAPHIC ORIGIN Eurasia HISTORY OF INTRODUCTION Introduced to the United States before 1711 for cultivation as a hay and pasture grass. NORTHEASTERN US DISTRIBUTION Entire Northeast NORTHEASTERN NATIONAL PARKS ACAD, DEWA REPRODUCTION Perennial bunch grass, flowers in June through July. Reproduces vegetatively and by seed. FRUIT AND SEED PRODUCTION Produces seed June through August. Seeds dispersed by wind. CONTROL Cutting and mowing, herbicide SPECIES NAME Phragmites australis (Cav.) Trin. ex Steud. COMMON NAME Common reed FAMILY Poaceae SYNONYMS Phragmites communis Trin., Phragmites phragmites (L.) Karst. NPS CODE PHRAUS NPS NORTHEASTERN STATUS Invasive THREAT Forms very dense monotypic stands that can displace native species. INVASIVE ECOLOGY Tolerant of fire, frost, high pH, salt, weeds and waterlogging. Forms dense monospecific stands. Is aggressive and eliminates other marsh species. Destroys habitat, increases soil nitrate levels and speeds eutrophication in bodies of water. GEOGRAPHIC ORIGIN Eurasia and Africa. Possibly also native to the United States. HISTORY OF INTRODUCTION Some genotypes introduced to the United States from Europe and Asia. NORTHEASTERN US DISTRIBUTION Entire Northeast NORTHEASTERN NATIONAL PARKS BOHA, CACO, DEWA, FIIS, MIMA, SAIR REPRODUCTION Perennial grass, flowers July through October. Reproduces vegetatively. FRUIT AND SEED PRODUCTION Seeds produced July through September. Great quantities of seed produced. Seeds dispersed November through January by birds and wind. CONTROL Herbicide, cutting, grazing, dredging, draining, and shading with plastic. Vegetative spread can be controlled by barriers. SPECIES NAME Phyllostachys spp. Sieb. & Zucc. COMMON NAME Bamboo FAMILY Poaceae NPS CODE NPS NORTHEASTERN STATUS Invasive THREAT Spreads by rhizomes and can form dense stands. INVASIVE ECOLOGY Fast-growing, spread rapidly via runners, forms dense stands GEOGRAPHIC ORIGIN Eastern Asia and the Himalayas HISTORY OF INTRODUCTION NORTHEASTERN US DISTRIBUTION Massachusetts, New Jersey, Maryland, West Virginia, Virginia NORTHEASTERN NATIONAL PARKS FIIS REPRODUCTION Woody, stemmed perennial grass, usually evergreen, reproduce vegetatively FRUIT AND SEED PRODUCTION CONTROL Digging, cutting, creating a root barrier to stop spread SPECIES NAME Physocarpus opulifolius (L.) Maxim. COMMON NAME Atlantic ninebark FAMILY Rosaceae NPS CODE PHYOPU NPS NORTHEASTERN STATUS Potentially invasive THREAT Individuals can give rise to many offspring. INVASIVE ECOLOGY Easy to grow, adaptable to many conditions, tolerant of a wide range of soil conditions. Adaptable to dry sites, and pollution tolerant. GEOGRAPHIC ORIGIN Native to the Northeast and Central North America HISTORY OF INTRODUCTION NORTHEASTERN US DISTRIBUTION Entire Northeast NORTHEASTERN NATIONAL PARKS REPRODUCTION Deciduous shrub, flowers May and June. Reproduces by cuttings and underground suckers. FRUIT AND SEED PRODUCTION Fruits ripen in September to October CONTROL SPECIES NAME Polygonum cuspidatum Sieb. & Zucc. COMMON NAME Japanese knotweed FAMILY Polygonaceae SYNONYMS Fallopia japonica (Houtt.) Dcne. NPS CODE POLCUS NPS NORTHEASTERN STATUS Invasive THREAT Forms dense impenetrable thickets. INVASIVE ECOLOGY Grows aggressively, crowds out other vegetation. Tolerant of full shade, high temperatures, high salinity, drought. Forms dense stands and deep dense mats of rhizomes. Can be a fire hazard, and can resprout from fragments. Can hybridize with P. sachalinense. HABITAT Waste areas, open sunny habitats, along rivers and riparian ecosystems. GEOGRAPHIC ORIGIN Japan HISTORY OF INTRODUCTION Introduced to the United States from England in the late 1800s as an ornamental and for erosion control and landscape screening. NORTHEASTERN US DISTRIBUTION Entire Northeast NORTHEASTERN NATIONAL PARKS ACAD, DEWA, SAIR, SARA, ROVA, UPDE REPRODUCTION Shrub-like herbaceous perennial, flowers August and September. vegetatively and sometimes by seed. Mechanical and water dispersal. Reproduces mainly FRUIT AND SEED PRODUCTION Produces many seeds with low seedling survival. CONTROL Grubbing, pulling, repeated cutting, application of herbicide to cut stems, foliar herbicide SPECIES NAME Polygonum perfoliatum L. COMMON NAME Mile-a-minute vine FAMILY Polygonaceae SYNONYMS Ampelygonum perfoliatum (L.) Roberty & Vautier NPS CODE POLPER NPS NORTHEASTERN STATUS Invasive THREAT Forms dense climbing mats that cover vegetation. Easily dispersed and grows exceedingly fast. INVASIVE ECOLOGY Grows well in open disturbed areas and abandoned agricultural fields. Very fast growing, up to six inches per day. Can overgrow and outcompete native vegetation. Prolific seeder. HABITAT Roadsides, ditches, stream banks, wet meadows and clearcuts. GEOGRAPHIC ORIGIN East Asia HISTORY OF INTRODUCTION Introduced to the United States in Oregon with ship ballast in 1890. NORTHEASTERN US DISTRIBUTION New York, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New Jersey, Delaware and Maryland. NORTHEASTERN NATIONAL PARKS REPRODUCTION Herbaceous annual vine, reproduces from seed. FRUIT AND SEED PRODUCTION Fruits contain one seed each. Bird, small mammal and water dispersed. CONTROL Hand pulling and herbicides SPECIES NAME Polygonum sachalinense F. Schmidt ex Maxim. COMMON NAME Giant knotweed FAMILY Polygonaceae SYNONYMS Fallopia sachalinensis (F. Schmidt ex Maxim.) Dcne. NPS CODE POLSAC NPS NORTHEASTERN STATUS Potentially invasive THREAT Can form dense stands. INVASIVE ECOLOGY Spreads rapidly and monopolizes vegetation, can grow in nutrient poor areas, pH tolerant. Can hybridize with P. cuspidatum. GEOGRAPHIC ORIGIN East Asia HISTORY OF INTRODUCTION Probably introduced to the United States as an ornamental NORTHEASTERN US DISTRIBUTION Entire Northeast, currently much less common than P. cuspidatum. NORTHEASTERN NATIONAL PARKS ALPO REPRODUCTION Herbaceous perennial, flowers from July to October. Reproduces via rhizomes. FRUIT AND SEED PRODUCTION Seeds appear two weeks after flowering and are wind dispersed. CONTROL Shading and herbicide. SPECIES NAME Populus alba L. COMMON NAME White poplar FAMILY Salicaceae NPS CODE POPALB NPS NORTHEASTERN STATUS Potentially invasive THREAT Can form dense stands. INVASIVE ECOLOGY Rapid growth rate, salt and drought tolerant, air pollution tolerant, pH adaptable. Roots will clog drain tiles, sewers and water channels because of the dense stands it forms. Spreads abundantly by root suckers. Outcompetes native plants. Produces large seed crops and easily resprouts. GEOGRAPHIC ORIGIN Eurasia HISTORY OF INTRODUCTION Introduced to North America in 1748 as an ornamental. NORTHEASTERN US DISTRIBUTION Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, Maryland, West Virginia, Virginia NORTHEASTERN NATIONAL PARKS REPRODUCTION Deciduous tree, flowers March and April. Reproduces vegetatively and by seed. FRUIT AND SEED PRODUCTION Seed germination rate is low, and each fruit contains many seeds. Seeds are dispersed by the wind. CONTROL Hand pulling of seedlings, application of herbicide onto stumps, girdling and herbicide SPECIES NAME Potamogeton crispus L. COMMON NAME Curly pondweed FAMILY Potamogetonaceae NPS CODE POTCRI NPS NORTHEASTERN STATUS Invasive THREAT Can form dense mats that prohibit sunlight penetration. Easily dispersed down-stream. INVASIVE ECOLOGY Often survives through the winter and can germinate under ice. Turions form in summer. GEOGRAPHIC ORIGIN Europe HISTORY OF INTRODUCTION Introduce to the United States over 100 years ago. NORTHEASTERN US DISTRIBUTION Entire Northeast NORTHEASTERN NATIONAL PARKS SAIR REPRODUCTION Submersed aquatic perennial, flowers from June through September. rhizomes and by seed. Reproduces via FRUIT AND SEED PRODUCTION Produces fruits in early summer. No part of the plant except for the fruits and turions survive through the summer. CONTROL Herbicide SPECIES NAME Pueraria montana (Lour.) Merr. COMMON NAME Kudzu FAMILY Fabaceae SYNONYMS Glycine javanica L., Pueraria lobata (Willd.) Ohwi NPS CODE PUEMON NPS NORTHEASTERN STATUS Invasive THREAT Forms impenetrable climbing mat that covers native vegetation and everything else. INVASIVE ECOLOGY Grows well at forest edges, roadsides and disturbed areas. Smothers and girdles native vegetation. Breaks branches and uproots trees due to its weight. Grows rapidly, up to one foot per day. GEOGRAPHIC ORIGIN Japan HISTORY OF INTRODUCTION Introduced in 1876 at the Philadelphia Centennial Exposition where it was shown as a forage crop and ornamental. Farmers in the South were encouraged to plant it until 1950. NORTHEASTERN US DISTRIBUTION Massachusetts and south NORTHEASTERN NATIONAL PARKS REPRODUCTION Rapidly growing perennial vine flowers rarely, spreads primarily via runners and rhizomes. Many seeds are not fertile. FRUIT AND SEED PRODUCTION Each pod contains 3 to 10 seeds CONTROL Cutting, grazing, digging, prescribed burning, herbicides SPECIES NAME Pyrus calleryana Dcne. COMMON NAME Callery pear FAMILY Rosaceae NPS CODE PYRCAL NPS NORTHEASTERN STATUS Invasive THREAT Can produce many bird-dispersed fruits that can become established in minimally managed habitats. INVASIVE ECOLOGY Fast growth rate, very adaptable to many different soils, tolerant of dry and hot conditions, pollution tolerant, many cultivars fireblight resistant. Forms dense monocultures and self-sows. GEOGRAPHIC ORIGIN Korea, China and Japan HISTORY OF INTRODUCTION Introduced to the United States in 1918 to be used in breeding populations to introduce fire blight resistance to edible pears. Escaped from cultivation. NORTHEASTERN US DISTRIBUTION Maryland and Virginia NORTHEASTERN NATIONAL PARKS REPRODUCTION Deciduous tree, flowers in early spring. Reproduces by cuttings and seed. Seeds are bird dispersed. FRUIT AND SEED PRODUCTION Many seeds per drupe CONTROL Hand pulling seedlings, foliar herbicide SPECIES NAME Ranunculus ficaria L. COMMON NAME Lesser celandine FAMILY Ranunculaceae NPS CODE RANFIC NPS NORTHEASTERN STATUS Invasive THREAT Forms large monotypic mats on forest floor; displaces other species. INVASIVE ECOLOGY Spring ephemeral – emerges ahead of native plants. Forms solid, spreading mounds which exclude other plants. GEOGRAPHIC ORIGIN Europe HISTORY OF INTRODUCTION Introduced to the United States as an ornamental. NORTHEASTERN US DISTRIBUTION Entire Northeast except for Vermont and Maine NORTHEASTERN NATIONAL PARKS REPRODUCTION Herbaceous perennial, flowers March and April. Reproduces vegetatively by copious tuber production and also by seed. FRUIT AND SEED PRODUCTION Fruits mature in May CONTROL Hand pulling or digging, herbicide SPECIES NAME Rhamnus cathartica L. COMMON NAME Buckthorn FAMILY Rhamnaceae NPS CODE RHACAT NPS NORTHEASTERN STATUS Invasive THREAT Can create thickets of numerous individuals. INVASIVE ECOLOGY Fast growth rate, suckers, tolerant of most conditions, creates thickets under which native vegetation can not survive. Alternative host for crown rust. Can regenerate after being cut or burned. Proliferates in calcareous soils. GEOGRAPHIC ORIGIN Europe and western and northern Asia HISTORY OF INTRODUCTION Introduced to the United States before 1800 and began to invade around the early 1900s. Often used along fence rows and as shelter for wildlife. HABITAT Woodlands, savannas, prairies and wet areas. NORTHEASTERN US DISTRIBUTION All New England NORTHEASTERN NATIONAL PARKS CACO, BOHA, MIMA REPRODUCTION Small deciduous tree or coarse shrub, flowers in the spring and reproduces by seed. FRUIT AND SEED PRODUCTION Fruits contain 3 to 4 seeds each, appear in the fall and are eaten by birds. Seed dispersed by birds and small mammals. CONTROL Hand pulling, digging, girdling, herbicides, annual prescribed burning, and flooding. SPECIES NAME Rhodotypos scandens (Thunb.) Makino COMMON NAME Jetbead FAMILY Rosaceae SYNONYMS Rhodotypos tetrapetalus (Sieb.) Makino NPS CODE RHOSCA NPS NORTHEASTERN STATUS Potentially invasive THREAT Can produce many individuals in forest understories. INVASIVE ECOLOGY Fast growth rate, tolerant of many soil types including clay, pH adaptable, tolerant of crowding, most light conditions and polluted conditions. GEOGRAPHIC ORIGIN Japan and central China HISTORY OF INTRODUCTION Introduced to the United States in 1866. NORTHEASTERN US DISTRIBUTION Entire Northeast except Maine, Rhode Island and Maryland. NORTHEASTERN NATIONAL PARKS REPRODUCTION Deciduous shrub, flowers in late spring to early summer. Reproduces by softwood cuttings and from seed. FRUIT AND SEED PRODUCTION Fruits ripen in October and persist through winter CONTROL SPECIES NAME Robinia pseudoacacia L. COMMON NAME Black locust FAMILY Fabaceae NPS CODE ROBPSE NPS NORTHEASTERN STATUS Invasive THREAT Can form dense stands of many individuals. May change soil chemistry. INVASIVE ECOLOGY Easily grown, tolerant of most soils, performs well in dry, sterile, sandy soils, fixes nitrogen, tolerant of salt, heat, salinity and pollution. Can form tall, dense, monotypic stands. Can outcompete native plants for pollinators by producing abundant nectar. HABITAT Pastures, woodlots, thickets, old fields and roadsides; occasionally upland forests, prairies and savannas. GEOGRAPHIC ORIGIN Central and southeastern United States HISTORY OF INTRODUCTION Introduced to the United States for erosion control and for its wood. NORTHEASTERN US DISTRIBUTION Entire Northeast NORTHEASTERN NATIONAL PARKS ACAD, BOHA, CACO, DEWA, ROVA, SARA REPRODUCTION Fast growing deciduous tree, flowers in May and June. Reproduces by seeds and vegetative root suckers. FRUIT AND SEED PRODUCTION Fruits mature in October and persist into winter. Each contains 4 to 10 seeds. CONTROL Cutting and herbicides SPECIES NAME Rosa multiflora Thunb. ex Murr. COMMON NAME Multiflora rose FAMILY Rosaceae SYNONYMS Rosa cathayensis (Rehd. & Wilson) Bailey NPS CODE ROSMUL NPS NORTHEASTERN STATUS Invasive THREAT Forms dense, impenetrable thickets. Individual plants can produce many bird-dispersed seeds. INVASIVE ECOLOGY Fast growth rate, pH adaptable and salt tolerant. Tolerant of many soil and environmental condition. Outcompetes surrounding vegetation. Seeds readily into wild and waste areas. Often forms an impenetrable tangle of brush. Easy to grow. Tolerant of dry, heavy soils. A single plant can produce over 500,000 seeds and are viable for 10 to 20 years in the seed bank. HABITAT Pastures, riparian areas, thickets, roadsides and woodlands. GEOGRAPHIC ORIGIN Japan and Korea HISTORY OF INTRODUCTION Introduced to the United States in 1886 as rootstock for cultivated roses. Advocated as a component of living fences and erosion control plans. NORTHEASTERN US DISTRIBUTION Entire Northeast NORTHEASTERN NATIONAL PARKS ACAD, BOHA, CACO, DEWA, GATE, MIMA, SAIR, WEFA REPRODUCTION Densely spreading perennial shrub, flowers in May and June. Reproduces by seeds and cuttings. FRUIT AND SEED PRODUCTION Fruits mature in August and persist into winter. Fruits and seeds dispersed by birds, especially the cedar waxwing, mockingbird and American robin. CONTROL Hand pulling, cutting, mowing, and herbicides. SPECIES NAME Rosa rugosa Thunb. COMMON NAME Japanese rose FAMILY Rosaceae NPS CODE ROSRUG NPS NORTHEASTERN STATUS Potentially invasive THREAT Can form impenetrable thickets on coastal beaches and dunes, just above high tide line. INVASIVE ECOLOGY Fast growth rate, easy to grow, pH adaptable, salt tolerant, suckers and forms colonies. Has disease resistant foliage. Often used as a landscape plant because of its salt tolerance. HABITAT Often maritime habitats. GEOGRAPHIC ORIGIN Northern China, Korea and Japan HISTORY OF INTRODUCTION Introduced to the United States in 1845. NORTHEASTERN US DISTRIBUTION Entire Northeast NORTHEASTERN NATIONAL PARKS ACAD, CACO REPRODUCTION Perennial deciduous small sprouting shrub, flowers throughout the summer. Reproduces vegetatively and by seed (often takes two years). Water dispersed. FRUIT AND SEED PRODUCTION Fruits mature in August through fall. Dispersed by animals who eat the hip. CONTROL Hand pulling and grubbing. SPECIES NAME Rubus phoenicolasius Maxim. COMMON NAME Wineberry FAMILY Rosaceae NPS CODE RUBPHO NPS NORTHEASTERN STATUS Invasive THREAT Produces many bird-dispersed fruits per plant and can form dense thickets. INVASIVE ECOLOGY Often forms thickets, will spread, biennial canes root where they touch the soil. HABITAT Roadsides, thickets and open woods. GEOGRAPHIC ORIGIN Asia HISTORY OF INTRODUCTION NORTHEASTERN US DISTRIBUTION Entire Northeast except Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont(?). NORTHEASTERN NATIONAL PARKS DEWA, WEFA REPRODUCTION Deciduous shrub, flowers in May and June. Reproduces vegetatively and by seed. FRUIT AND SEED PRODUCTION Fruits mature in June and July. CONTROL SPECIES NAME Salvinia molesta Mitchell COMMON NAME Giant salvinia FAMILY Salviniaceae NPS CODE SALMOL NPS NORTHEASTERN STATUS Potentially invasive THREAT Can form dense monotypic mats on the surface of ponds, lakes and slow-moving waterways. INVASIVE ECOLOGY Forms dense floating mats, new plants can develop from stem fragments. Withstands stress, low temperature and little water as dormant buds. Shades and crowds out native plants. GEOGRAPHIC ORIGIN Southeastern Brazil HISTORY OF INTRODUCTION Introduced to the United States via the aquarium and landscaping trades. This species has been reported in many water garden nurseries. NORTHEASTERN US DISTRIBUTION No Northeastern records to date. NORTHEASTERN NATIONAL PARKS REPRODUCTION Free-floating aquatic fern, reproduces vegetatively. Dispersed by the aquarium and garden pond trades. FRUIT AND SEED PRODUCTION Possibly not fertile in the United States. CONTROL Herbicide, prevention, biocontrol SPECIES NAME Senecio jacobaea L. COMMON NAME Tansy ragwort, Stinking willie FAMILY Asteraceae NPS CODE SENJAC NPS NORTHEASTERN STATUS Potentially invasive THREAT This species disperses easily and can produce many individuals in some coastal habitats. INVASIVE ECOLOGY Causes liver damage in livestock. Tolerant of most soil conditions, hot, dry summers, and cold temperatures. Seeds can lie dormant for up to 15 years. GEOGRAPHIC ORIGIN Eurasia HISTORY OF INTRODUCTION Introduced to the United States in 1922. NORTHEASTERN US DISTRIBUTION Maine, New York, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania and New Jersey NORTHEASTERN NATIONAL PARKS REPRODUCTION Biennial to short-lived perennial, flowers mid July to mid October. Reproduces vegetatively from the root or by seed. Dispersed mechanically or by the wind. FRUIT AND SEED PRODUCTION Each plant is capable of producing 150,000 seeds. CONTROL Biocontrol, hand pulling, tilling and herbicide SPECIES NAME Sorghum halepense (L.) Pers. COMMON NAME Johnson grass FAMILY Poaceae SYNONYMS Holcus halepensis L., Sorghum miliaceum (Roxb.) Snowden NPS CODE SORHAL NPS NORTHEASTERN STATUS Invasive in anthropogenic landscapes. THREAT Can produce many seeds per plant and can form dense stands. INVASIVE ECOLOGY Seeds can remain viable in the soil for about 6 years. Well adapted to a large range of conditions and soil types. Has a creeping rhizome system that grows quickly and produces a prolific number of seeds which makes it highly competitive and invasive. Shades native plants and decreases nutrient and moisture availability. GEOGRAPHIC ORIGIN Europe HISTORY OF INTRODUCTION Introduced to the United States in the early 1800s as a potential forage crop. NORTHEASTERN US DISTRIBUTION Entire Northeast except for Maine NORTHEASTERN NATIONAL PARKS REPRODUCTION Perennial grass, flowers in the summer. Reproduces vegetatively and by seed. Dispersed by water, wind, animals and contaminated crop seeds. FRUIT AND SEED PRODUCTION Produces an immense number of seeds CONTROL Removal of rhizomes by tilling and plowing, herbicide, prescribed burning, mowing and grazing. SPECIES NAME Spiraea japonica L. f. COMMON NAME Japanese spirea FAMILY Rosaceae NPS CODE SPIJAP NPS NORTHEASTERN STATUS Potentially invasive THREAT Often used in cultivation, this species can escape and become established in many habitat types. INVASIVE ECOLOGY Soil tolerant, extremely durable. Suckers. Has a fast growth rate and forms dense stands. Outcompetes native plants, and its seeds last for many years in the soil. GEOGRAPHIC ORIGIN Japan, Korea, China HISTORY OF INTRODUCTION Introduced to the United States in 1870 as an ornamental landscape plant. NORTHEASTERN US DISTRIBUTION Entire Northeast except for Maine, New Jersey and Delaware NORTHEASTERN NATIONAL PARKS REPRODUCTION Perennial deciduous shrub, flowers in late spring to mid summer. Reproduces by softwood cuttings and seeds. Dispersed by water and in contaminated fill dirt. FRUIT AND SEED PRODUCTION Fruits hold through the winter. Each plant may produce 100s of small seeds. CONTROL Cutting, mowing and herbicide SPECIES NAME Syringa reticulata (Blume) Hara COMMON NAME Japanese tree lilac FAMILY Oleaceae NPS CODE SYRRET NPS NORTHEASTERN STATUS Potentially invasive THREAT Can escape into and become established in minimally managed habitats. INVASIVE ECOLOGY pH adaptable, poor soil and compact soil tolerant. Tolerant of drought and salt. GEOGRAPHIC ORIGIN Japan HISTORY OF INTRODUCTION Introduced to the United States in 1876. NORTHEASTERN US DISTRIBUTION New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York and Pennsylvania NORTHEASTERN NATIONAL PARKS SAGA REPRODUCTION Deciduous large shrub or small tree, flowers in the late spring to early summer. Reproduces by cuttings or by seed. FRUIT AND SEED PRODUCTION Fruits mature in the fall and often persist through winter. CONTROL SPECIES NAME Trapa natans L. COMMON NAME Water chestnut FAMILY Trapaceae NPS CODE TRANAT NPS NORTHEASTERN STATUS Invasive THREAT Forms dense monotypic mats that cover surface and prohibit sunlight penetration. Each seed gives rise to multiple rosettes that each produce many seeds themselves. INVASIVE ECOLOGY Forms surface mats and competes for nutrients and space. Little nutritional value for wildlife. Leads to low levels of dissolved oxygen. Impedes fishing, swimming and boating. HABITAT Freshwater lakes and rivers. GEOGRAPHIC ORIGIN Eurasia HISTORY OF INTRODUCTION Before 1879, intentionally planted at the Cambridge Botanical Garden in Massachusetts, as well as in other Massachusetts ponds by a gardener. Became invasive and spread to much of the Northeast. NORTHEASTERN US DISTRIBUTION New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire and Connecticut NORTHEASTERN NATIONAL PARKS REPRODUCTION Aquatic annual flowers in July and continues until frost. Dispersed by rosettes carrying ripening seeds can be dispersed by water. Waterfowl and boats also disperse seeds. FRUIT AND SEED PRODUCTION Fruits ripen in a month and can remain viable for up to twelve years. CONTROL Mechanical harvesting of floating mats SPECIES NAME Tussilago farfara L. COMMON NAME Coltsfoot FAMILY Asteraceae NPS CODE TUSFAR NPS NORTHEASTERN STATUS Invasive THREAT Can invade rich woodlands seeps and displace native species. Produces many seeds per plant. INVASIVE ECOLOGY Able to form large colonies that crowd out native species. Rhizomes often very deep. Seeds can travel long distances and the plant flowers early, enabling it to disperse seeds earlier than native plants. HABITAT Disturbed and waste places, stream banks, pastures, fields, and roadsides. GEOGRAPHIC ORIGIN Europe HISTORY OF INTRODUCTION Introduced to the United States by European settlers for medicine, tea, candy and tobacco. Planted in herb gardens and spread via plantings or rhizomes. NORTHEASTERN US DISTRIBUTION Entire Northeast NORTHEASTERN NATIONAL PARKS ACAD REPRODUCTION Herbaceous perennial, flowers from April to June, with spreading rhizomes for clonal growth. Also reproduces from seed. FRUIT AND SEED PRODUCTION Seeds are wind and water dispersed CONTROL Avoid planting along roadsides, hand pulling, herbicide. SPECIES NAME Ulmus parvifolia Jacq. COMMON NAME Chinese elm FAMILY Ulmaceae SYNONYMS Ulmus chinensis Pers. NPS CODE ULMPAR NPS NORTHEASTERN STATUS Potentially invasive THREAT Can produce many seeds. INVASIVE ECOLOGY Fast growth rate, pH adaptable, adaptable to many soil types. Tolerant of urban air and soils and resistant to Dutch Elm disease. GEOGRAPHIC ORIGIN China, Japan, Korea HISTORY OF INTRODUCTION Introduced to the United States from Asia by Frank Meyer in the early 1900s as an ornamental. NORTHEASTERN US DISTRIBUTION Maine, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Maryland, West Virginia and Virginia NORTHEASTERN NATIONAL PARKS REPRODUCTION Large deciduous tree, flowers in August through early September. Reproduces from seed. FRUIT AND SEED PRODUCTION Fruits ripen in September and October and contain one seed each. CONTROL SPECIES NAME Valeriana officinalis L. COMMON NAME Garden heliotrope FAMILY Valerianaceae NPS CODE VALOFF NPS NORTHEASTERN STATUS Potentially invasive THREAT This species can become dominant in old fields. INVASIVE ECOLOGY Invasive in old fields GEOGRAPHIC ORIGIN Eastern and central Europe HISTORY OF INTRODUCTION Introduced to the United States by colonists. NORTHEASTERN US DISTRIBUTION Entire Northeast except for Virginia, Delaware and Rhode Island NORTHEASTERN NATIONAL PARKS REPRODUCTION Perennial herb, flowers in June and July. Reproduces from seed. FRUIT AND SEED PRODUCTION One seed per fruit. Seeds are wind dispersed. CONTROL SPECIES NAME Verbascum thapsus L. COMMON NAME Common mullein FAMILY Scrophulariaceae NPS CODE VERTHA NPS NORTHEASTERN STATUS Invasive THREAT Can produce many individuals in open fields and disturbed habitats. INVASIVE ECOLOGY Adaptable to a wide variety of conditions. seeder who’s seeds last a long time in the soil. Grows more vigorously than natives. Prolific GEOGRAPHIC ORIGIN Europe and Asia HISTORY OF INTRODUCTION Introduced to the United States in the mid 1700s as a medicinal herb and insecticide. NORTHEASTERN US DISTRIBUTION Entire Northeast NORTHEASTERN NATIONAL PARKS DEWA REPRODUCTION Perennial herb, flowers from July through September. FRUIT AND SEED PRODUCTION Each plant is capable of producing 100,000 to 180,000 seeds that are viable for over 100 years. Seeds are dispersed mechanically. CONTROL Hand pulling, biocontrol and herbicide SPECIES NAME Viburnum dilatatum Thunb. COMMON NAME Linden viburnum FAMILY Caprifoliaceae NPS CODE VIBDIL NPS NORTHEASTERN STATUS Invasive THREAT Can easily become established in closed-canopy woodlands. INVASIVE ECOLOGY Easily established and shade tolerant GEOGRAPHIC ORIGIN Eastern Asia HISTORY OF INTRODUCTION Introduced to the United States before 1845. NORTHEASTERN US DISTRIBUTION Entire Northeast NORTHEASTERN NATIONAL PARKS REPRODUCTION Multi-stemmed deciduous shrub, flowers in late spring to early summer. Reproduces by cuttings and from seed. FRUIT AND SEED PRODUCTION Fruits ripen in September and October and persist into December. Seeds are bird dispersed. CONTROL SPECIES NAME Viburnum sieboldii Miq. COMMON NAME Siebold’s arrowwood FAMILY Caprifoliaceae NPS CODE VIVSIE NPS NORTHEASTERN STATUS Potentially invasive THREAT Can easily become established in closed-canopy woodlands. INVASIVE ECOLOGY Very easy to grow, pH adaptable, tolerant of dry soils. GEOGRAPHIC ORIGIN Japan HISTORY OF INTRODUCTION Introduced to the United States in 1880. NORTHEASTERN US DISTRIBUTION New York, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Maryland NORTHEASTERN NATIONAL PARKS MORR REPRODUCTION Deciduous shrub, flowers in late May. Reproduces by cuttings and from seed. FRUIT AND SEED PRODUCTION Fruits ripen in September through early October; eaten by birds. CONTROL SPECIES NAME Viburnum plicatum Thunb. COMMON NAME Japanese snowball FAMILY Caprifoliaceae SYNONYMS Viburnum tomentosum Thunb. NPS CODE VIBPLI NPS NORTHEASTERN STATUS Potentially invasive THREAT Can easily become established in closed-canopy woodlands. INVASIVE ECOLOGY Soil adaptable, and tolerant of drought. GEOGRAPHIC ORIGIN China and Japan HISTORY OF INTRODUCTION Introduced to the United States by R.F. Michaud to Surrey, B.C. in the early 1960s from Japan. NORTHEASTERN US DISTRIBUTION New York, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania NORTHEASTERN NATIONAL PARKS REPRODUCTION Deciduous shrub, flowers from May through the end of Fall. Reproduces by cuttings and from seed. FRUIT AND SEED PRODUCTION Fruits mature in August, and seeds are bird dispersed. CONTROL SPECIES NAME Wisteria floribunda (Willd.) DC. COMMON NAME Japanese wisteria FAMILY Fabaceae NPS CODE WISFLO NPS NORTHEASTERN STATUS Invasive THREAT Can climb on associated vegetation forming a dense thicket. INVASIVE ECOLOGY Tolerant of many soils and relatively tough sites. pH adaptable. Hefty vine that grows by twining around structures. Rampant grower, can be hard to contain. Takes over native shrubs by strangling and shading them. Forms dense thickets. GEOGRAPHIC ORIGIN Japan HISTORY OF INTRODUCTION Introduced to the United States in 1830 from Japan as an ornamental. NORTHEASTERN US DISTRIBUTION Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland and Virginia NORTHEASTERN NATIONAL PARKS REPRODUCTION Deciduous woody climbing vine, flowers from April to May. Reproduces vegetatively or from seed. Seeds are water dispersed. FRUIT AND SEED PRODUCTION Fruits ripen in October and persist into the winter. CONTROL Cutting, grubbing, painting cut stems with herbicide, foliar herbicide. SPECIES NAME Wisteria sinensis (Sims) DC. COMMON NAME Chinese wisteria FAMILY Fabaceae NPS CODE WISSIN NPS NORTHEASTERN STATUS Invasive THREAT Can climb on associated vegetation forming a dense thicket. INVASIVE ECOLOGY Shade and full sun tolerant, tolerant of many soil types. Can overtake native plants by strangling and overshading them. Forms dense thickets. GEOGRAPHIC ORIGIN China HISTORY OF INTRODUCTION Introduced to the United States in 1816 as an ornamental. NORTHEASTERN US DISTRIBUTION Vermont, Massachusetts, New York, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, West Virginia and Virginia NORTHEASTERN NATIONAL PARKS REPRODUCTION Deciduous climbing vine, flowers from April to May. Reproduces vegetatively or from seed. FRUIT AND SEED PRODUCTION One to three seeds per fruit. CONTROL Cutting, grubbing, painting herbicide on cut stems, foliar herbicide.
