Native primarily to South America, its attractive, vibrantly green underwater foliage and ability to oxygenate and filter water have led to its popularity and dispersal worldwide. Tinca tinca, stone moroko, parrot feather and yellow floating heart are a few of the unwanteds on the list. 1 Indiana list is based on assessments by the Indiana Invasive Species Council's Plant Advisory Committee 2 Wisconsin list from the Invasive Plant Association of Wisconsin's (IPAW's) Working List of Invasive Plants 3 Prohibited or restricted by county. The primary issues with Carolina fanwort are its ability to choke out native plants and block waterways so that it’s more difficult for fish, animals, and watercraft to get through. Exotic, invasive plants create severe environmental damage, invading open fields, forests, wetlands, meadows, and backyards, and crowding out native plants. What’s the Big Deal? Eurasian watermilfoil hails from, as might be guessed, Eurasia. Your Guide to an Invasive Plant. Your backyard garden can truly be a safe haven for many organisms. While there are dozens of invasive plants in this state, we’ll mainly cover the most pervasive and damaging ones. Invasive species newer to Michigan: Black swallow-wort It also has small, solitary flowers located at the bases of its leaves, while purple loosestrife has large clustered spikes of flowers located terminally at the end of each stem. Alder-leaved buckthorn has small berries in clusters usually of 3 or fewer, while the other two have larger berries in larger clusters. What are non-native and invasive species? Japanese honeysuckle 3. Though it doesn’t possess painful thorns or entangling vines, garlic mustard is another of our most scorned invasives. Wildlife, fish, and humans alike find it almost impossible to move through, and if you try you will almost certainly get punctured by the incredibly tough stems (trust us – we’ve been there). Many non-native species are considered invasive, as they are free from natural predators, reproduce rapidly, … This plant needs a lot of room because its 6- to 10-foot tall plants spread rapidly by rhizomes and form large colonies. It is the Oriental bittersweet vine that is sure to make most lists of … Michigan State-listed Noxious Weeds 17 records returned. Like most other grasses, its lightweight seeds spread easily on the wind, furthering its distribution, along with its strong, far-spreading rhizomes. Top Invasive Aquatic & Marginal Plants in Michigan, 1. The Report IN is a regional effort to develop and provide an early detection and rapid response (EDRR) resource for invasive species. Once introduced, these plants can aggressively colonize natural areas, decreasing biodiversity and compromising the ecological integrity of an area. Whether a plant is invasive or not depends on its natural growth habits and where it is located. If you’d like a plant guide for your area, don’t hesitate to reach out and let us know! While Phragmites australis is native to Michigan, an invasive, non-native, variety of phragmites is becoming widespread and is threatening the ecological health of wetlands and the Great Lakes coastal shoreline. The Forest Service National Strategic Framework for Invasive Species Management responds to a 2010 USDA Office of Inspector General audit of Forest Service invasive programs by providing a consistent, agency-wide approach to the prevention, detection, and control of invasive insects, pathogens, plants, wildlife, and fish. Purple loosestrife 2. Making sure that we utilize only native plants here is of critical importance as we work to conserve the integrity of the Great Lakes, its unique plant and animal species, and the world’s largest freshwater supply. It’s most often found in open woods and along woodland edges, such as trails and the borders of yards, and is mostly easily spotted in autumn when the vegetation from most other plants has dropped off. Learn how your comment data is processed. Spotted knapweed is allelopathic and as such is able to kill many nearby plants by exuding toxins into the soil – spotted knapweed often has barren areas around each plant, making it a bit easier to spot. Read on to learn about the top invasive plants in Michigan, and some native alternatives that you can utilize in their place. By thick, we mean over 100 shoots per square meter! In fact, it’s a restricted plant in Michigan and should be reported using the Midwest Invasive Species reporting tool. (Hibernation Explained), How to Fix Smelly Pond Water (Safe & Easy Treatments), Koi Fish Lice Treatment Guide 2020 (Get Rid of Pond Lice), Wildlife Pond Maintenance Guide (Cleaning Advice), Guide to Different Types of Pond Algae (With Pictures). Like fanwort, a thick root system makes it difficult to get rid of, as it will simply regrow from any broken roots that remain in the ground. ), it can be difficult to identify and distinguish species. A native of Asia, autumn olive can grow up to 20 feet tall (though 5 to 10 is more common), and has very sweetly scented, small creamy-white flowers that bloom in early summer. Invasive Species Executive Order 13112. Aren’t They Just Plants? They have an even more extensive library of fact sheets that can be printed and taken with you when scouting for invasive plants. Invasive Plants in Michigan’s Natural Communities. I hope this talk (and blog) promotes the recognition of these invasive plants. Click on an accepted name below to view its PLANTS Profile with more information, and web links if available. Purchased at local nurseries, wholesale suppliers and elsewhere, these plants have the potential of taking over large areas, affecting native plants and animals and negatively changing … Invasive Species - (Fallopia japonica) Prohibited in Michigan Japanese knotweed is a perennial shrub that can grow from 3 - 10 feet high. Even if you only have or want a small amount of Eurasian watermilfoil, know that it spreads readily and is difficult to remove all root fragments to prevent regrowth. Organizations Focused on Controlling Invasive/Non-Native Species. There is a native variety of watermilfoil in Michigan: northern watermilfoil (Myriophyllum sibiricum). Not only that, but insects, birds, amphibians, and eventually even mammals move out of the area over time as they lose the cover, food sources, and clean water that were provided by those native plants. Curly-leaf Pondweed (Potamogeton crispus), 3. Here are a few tips to get rid of them or at least stop them from spreading. Few shrubs put on a better fall foliage display. A pretty, invasive plant that flowers in late summer and early fall is spreading throughout Michigan. Giant Knotweed. There is considerable work to do in Michigan to stop the spread of these species. The native variety has smooth, red or purplish internodes (the area where leaves or a stem connects with another portion of the stem), while invasive phragmites has rough, yellow or tan colored internodes during the growing season. This plant is another that’s on the restricted list, and is incredibly illegal to own, spread, sell, etc. Garlic mustard A list of invasive exotic plants , found in Indiana … Furthermore, these thick groves of buckthorn have been found to alter the home ranges and routes of important native megafauna like coyotes, wolves, and deer. Subscribe to the PlayCleanGo Protector to get clear information every month on invasive species, ways they spread, hands-on tips to use when you head outdoors, and inspiring stories of how outdoor enthusiasts are making a difference. Consider burning bush (Euonymus alatus) for example—an exotic (or "alien") shrub from Asia. However, this tree is now under attack by a harmful invasive species, the hemlock woolly adelgid, or HWA (Adelges tsugae). See text of state law for more detail. Now state officials are trying to find out if it’s growing … As with most of the aquatic species on this list, its establishment outside of its native range of Eurasia is due to its popularity in aquaculture and the ability to easily purchase just about any plant online regardless of location. Most non-native species are not harmful and may provide economic benefits. Trying to kill them once they have flowered is an even larger task. The more we learn about invasive plants, the more we realize how difficult they are to control, much less eradicate. An invasive plant that has long caused problems in eastern states has been found in Michigan. The impact of exotic invasive species on our forests in the U.S. is staggering. Buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica/frangula), 4. These volunteers need to recognize the species they are attacking. The goal of this regional resource is to assist both experts and citizen scientists in the detection and identification of invasive species in support of the successful management of invasive species. It can be easily distinguished from native wild roses, such as the swamp rose (Rosa palustris) by the presence of small, soft hairs (called fringed stipules) at the bases of its leaves and branches. Aquatic Invasive Species Regulations. Many non-native species in Michigan, including fruits, vegetables, field crops, livestock and domestic … An invasive species is one that is not native and whose introduction causes harm, or is likely to cause harm to Michigan's economy, environment, or human health. In Michigan, it is a restricted plant, meaning that it’s illegal to own, possess, sell, distribute, or introduce anywhere in the state. The larvae feed in tunnels in the wood of the tree branches and trunks, … American bittersweet has yellow fruits that are found terminally on the plant, or at the end of each branch, while oriental bittersweet has red or orange fruits that are found in clusters at the bases of its leaves. This research is funded by the Department of Entomology at Michigan State University, the Michigan Invasive Species Grant Program of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, the Sustainable Michigan Endowed Project, and the C.S. Another invasive species that is often overlooked, garlic mustard typically grows 1 to 2 feet tall (sometimes taller) and has small white flowers. There is a wealth of information about invasive species listed on their website. It is thought that, since it’s not an overly desirable plant, spotted knapweed was accidentally introduced to North America in the late 1800s via contaminated bags of seeds and soil. An invasive species is one that is not native and whose introduction causes harm, or is likely to cause harm to Michigan’s economy, environment, or human health. Aquatic Invasive Species Regulations. The Indiana Invasives Species Council is another source of information on invasive species in Indiana.. Use EDDMaps to report invasive plants in Indiana.. Every little bit counts! Learn about invasive species currently found in Michigan, where they are located, how to identify them and report new sightings through the Midwest Invasive Species Information Network at misin.msu.edu. A Field Identification Guide to Invasive Plants in Michigan's Natural Communities. It can at times be mistaken for the native rough blazing star (Liatris aspera), but rough blazing star has purple flowers all along its stem while spotted knapweed has only terminal flowers at the end of each bushy stem. Invasive Species in Michigan: A Quick Look Michigan has been invaded by a number of harmful exotic plants and animals. Phragmites (pictured below) is an invasive reed found across the state. Invasive species cause harm when they out-compete native species by reproducing and spreading rapidly in areas where they have no natural predators and change the balance of the ecosystems we rely on. Trumpeter bills are all black and tundra … The species listed below are non-native, invasive plants in Michigan. Mature Phragmites stand in Michigan Phragmites (pictured below) is an invasive reed found across the state. They are commonly found in damp woods and along waterways, but can also persist in drier areas like pastures. In Michigan, aquatic and terrestrial (land-dwelling) invasive plant species are responsible for tremendous ecological and economic damage across the state. The reed, when fully mature, grows to nearly 15 feet in height, frequently obscuring waterfront views and even blocking waterway access. It’s important to note that Michigan does have a native buckthorn species, alder-leaved buckthorn (Rhamnus alnifolia). A Field Identification Guide to Invasive Plants in Michigan’s Natural Communities A resource for public land managers, land stewards and volunteers engaged in conserving & restoring Michigan’s native plant & animal communities Michigan … Learn to recognize them. It was often planted along the edges of farms, powerlines, and dams as a means of helping the wildlife in these otherwise disturbed areas. Each mature plant is able to produce as much as thirty pounds of fruit per year, or 66,000 seeds, meaning that this species has astonishing potential and opportunity for dispersal and further spread. Its small leaves in the spring make it easy to miss, and bending down to tear them from the ground before they have a chance to flower is no small task in areas where they’ve become rampant. Eurasian Watermilfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum), 4. While some argue these shrubs have wildlife value because of this, much of the plant contains an incredibly toxic compound called emodin. The Great Lakes region is rich with life and full of native species well-adapted to survival. An invasive species is one that is not native and whose introduction causes harm, or is likely to cause harm to Michigan's economy, environment, or human health. Native to Eurasia, garlic mustard (sometimes called poor-man’s garlic) was intentionally introduced to the US by settlers as a food source. To report an invasive species, go to the Midwest Invasive Species Information Network website and click on "Report" in the navigation bar at the top. Related: 11 invasive species to watch out for in Michigan. Its introduction to and widespread establishment in Michigan and, by extension, North America, is due to its featherlike leaves that adeptly filter and oxygenate water, making it a popular aquaculture plant. Many non-native species in Michigan, including fruits, vegetables, field crops, livestock and domestic animals, are important to our economy and lifestyle. However, like the other plants on this list, it overtakes areas fast, and its curving, vine-like branches that can grow up to 16 feet tall adeptly choke out other plants. Because the grass family is so very massive (over 10,000 species! Native to Asia, oriental bittersweet was brought here as a charming, trailing ornamental plant. This species is included on Michigan’s watch list, and is the reason for the CAKE CISMA’s diligent winter survey efforts. It’s only been fairly recently that the two have been recognized as separate species, and as such efforts to eradicate Phragmites australis have negatively impacted native phragmites populations. Even heavy duty trucks find themselves inevitably barricaded by an impenetrable wall when trying to drive through stands to treat and remove them (again, we’ve been there). The Michigan departments of Natural Resources and Agriculture and Rural Development recently confirmed the presence of invasive mile-a-minute weed (Persicaria perfoliata) at Albion College’s Whitehouse Nature Center in Calhoun County.. Mile-a-minute weed, a fast-growing, barbed vine native to India, Asia and the Philippine Islands, was not known to be in Michigan until Doug … And if there’s a Michigan invasive plant not on this list that you’d like to know more about, comment below! Native to Eurasia, some North American nurseries argue that it has value here in its ability to attract pollinators – however, its detriments far outweigh this. A species is considered invasive in Michigan if it is not native and can cause harm to the environment or economy. With its small, kidney or heart-shaped leaves that float atop the water’s surface, European frogbit’s introduction into Michigan and many other places outside of its native European range is due to its popularity in aquaculture and ornamental ponds. While you’re not incredibly likely to want to plant this in or near your garden or pond, it’s possible that you may have some existing in your yard or nearby, particularly if you have soils that are on the drier side or live near rangeland or a cattle farm. The obvious course of action is to avoid planting these species in the first place. If you see bright yellow, glossy leaves on vines that readily encompass other plants and structures, it’s very likely oriental bittersweet. Oriental Bittersweet (Celastrus orbiculatus), backyard garden can truly be a safe haven, Michigan Natural Features Inventory guide, Leslie J. Mehrhoff, University of Connecticut, Bugwood.org, Curly-leaf Pondweed (Potamogeton crispus), Eurasian Watermilfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum), northern watermilfoil (Myriophyllum sibiricum), European Frogbit (Hydrocharis morsus-ranae), Phragmites/European Common Reed (Phragmites australis), Rob Routledge, Sault College, Bugwood.org, alder-leaved buckthorn (Rhamnus alnifolia), Oriental Bittersweet (Celastrus orbiculatus), Swamp Sunflower Facts, Care & Planting Guide (Helianthus angustifolius), Mexican Butterfly Weed Care & Planting Guide (Asclepias curassavica), 13 Shade Loving Plants for Around Ponds [Updated], How to Plant & Grow Common Cowslip (Primula veris), How to Plant & Grow Flowering Rush (Butomus umbellatus), How to Plant & Grow American Water Willow (Justicia americana), Soft Rush Facts, Care, & Planting Guide (Juncus effusus), Giant Arrowhead Facts, Care, & Planting Guide (Sagittaria montevidensis), Complete Guide to Utsurimono Koi 2020 [Updated], Do Pond Fish Hibernate? Pollinators then have significantly fewer pollen and nectar options, as well as fewer host plants for their young, and in turn also decline. They can also girdle, or literally choke, other plants, small shrubs and large trees alike. Phragmites/European Common Reed (Phragmites australis), 6. Similar to autumn olive, buckthorn is commonly planted as an ornamental shrub or small tree, but easily escapes cultivation as birds and other organisms eat the dark purple, almost black, berries and spread them about to different habitats and even across countries as they migrate. 4 Also designated as an invasive aquatic plant statewide under s. “The plant … A woody vine capable of climbing over 60 feet, oriental bittersweet can be found trailing along the ground toward the beginning of its life and completely encompassing trees later on. 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