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 seed-containing 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. Individual plants can give rise to more plants vegetatively and by seed.
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. Reproduces by crown division, rooted stem cuttings and seeds.
FRUIT AND SEED PRODUCTION
Fruits inconspicuous
CONTROL
Prescribed burning and mowing over successive seasons, herbicide
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 low-fertility, 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.
Share with your friends: |