Invasive Species Management

Common Invasive Plants 

Common Buckthorn

Buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica) is an invasive shrub that crowds out native plants, reduces wildlife habitat, and spreads quickly by seed. It has dark green leaves, black berries, and often stays green late into the fall. Check out this Buckthorn Factsheet (PDF) for more information on identification and control methods.

Wild Parsnip

Wild parsnip (Pastinaca sativa) is an invasive plant found along roadsides, fields, and disturbed areas. It produces tall yellow flower clusters in summer and spreads quickly, outcompeting native vegetation. Its sap can cause severe skin burns and blisters when combined with sunlight. Check out this Wild Parsnip Factsheet (PDF) for more information on identification and control methods.

Canada Thistle 

Canada thistle (Cirsium arvense) is an aggressive invasive weed that spreads by both seed and creeping roots. It forms dense patches in fields, turfgrass, prairies, and disturbed soils, outcompeting native plants and reducing habitat quality. Its spiny leaves make it unpalatable for many animals, allowing it to dominate once established. Check out this Canada Thistle Factsheet (PDF) for more information on identification and control methods.

Crown Vetch  

Crown vetch (Securigera varia) is a perennial groundcover introduced for erosion control on steep slopes and along roadways. It has become invasive in prairies, roadsides, and open habitats. It spreads through creeping stems and dense root systems, forming thick mats that crowd out native wildflowers and grasses. Its pink flower clusters bloom in summer. Check out this Crown Vetch Factsheet (PDF) for more information on identification and control methods.

Spotted Knapweed 

Spotted knapweed (Centaurea stoebe) is a highly invasive plant found in fields, roadsides, and disturbed areas. It produces showy purple flowers in summer and spreads quickly by seed. Dense stands of knapweed crowd out native grasses and wildflowers, reducing biodiversity and degrading habitat for wildlife. Check out this Spotted Knapweed Factsheet (PDF) for more information on identification and control methods.

White and Yellow Sweet Clover 

White (Melilotus alba) and yellow (Melilotus officinalis) sweet clover are invasive legumes that grow in fields, roadsides, and disturbed areas. They produce tall, fragrant flower spikes in summer and spread rapidly by seed. These plants can dominate open areas, displacing native grasses and wildflowers and altering soil nutrient balance. Check out this White and Yellow Sweet Clover Factsheet (PDF) for more information on identification and control methods.

Garlic Mustard

Garlic mustard (Alliaria petiolata) is an invasive biennial plant that spreads in forests, trails, and shaded areas. It produces clusters of small white flowers in spring and releases chemicals into the soil that inhibit growth of native plants, reducing forest biodiversity and altering habitat for wildlife. Check out this Garlic Mustard Factsheet (PDF) for more information on identification and control methods.

Japanese Knotweed

Japanese knotweed (Reynoutria japonica) is a fast-growing invasive shrub that spreads along riverbanks, roadsides, and disturbed areas. Its bamboo-like stems and dense foliage crowd out native plants, destabilize soils, and alter natural habitats. Check out this Japanese Knotweed Factsheet (PDF) for more information on identification and control methods.

Purple loosestrife 

Purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria) is an invasive wetland plant with tall spikes of vibrant purple flowers. It forms dense stands in marshes, riverbanks, and wetlands, displacing native vegetation and reducing habitat for wildlife. Check out this Purple Loosestrife Factsheet (PDF) for more information on identification and control methods.