As some commentors observe, native wildlife prefers to feed on native plants. This gives non-native plants an advantage as native wildlife often does not feed on non-native plants. Often non-native plants encourage non-native predators and pests which can grow uncontrolled if their native control predators are not present in our ecosystem. This can endanger native plants often leading to their loss as occurred with chestnut tree blight, Dutch elm disease, and recently emerald ash borers destroying ash trees with more non-native pests working their way through our ecosystem.
In just 12 years, 28 invasive pests have been introduced to North American forests. Can anything stop the spread? Get...
In just 12 years, 28 invasive pests have been introduced to North American forests. Can anything stop the spread?
[ The emerald ash borer was devasting ash trees in Allen County at this time. 23% of the street trees in Fort Wayne were ash trees with most dying before control measures could be implemented. ]
Invasive plants are not necessarily poisonous plants just as many native plants such as poison ivy can be eaten by birds and other wildlife but cause allergic reactions in some people.
It is useful to know what plants are poisonous especially since this 74-page book is online for Free!
Here's a useful resource, if you are getting out into Virginia's wilds and historic places: A free Guide to Poisonous...
Did you know that USGS scientists are using environmental DNA, the genetic material (e.g., skin cells, hair, mucus, waste) that an animal sheds or excretes into its surroundings, to detect invasive species?
This is especially important for species that are hard to find. Environmental DNA, or eDNA, has been used to find the elusive Burmese python in the Everglades and zebra and quagga mussels in the western U.S. Researchers collect eDNA by filtering it out of environmental samples, such as water from a lake that an organism may have passed through recently. The #USGS is applying this technology to determine the presence of aquatic organisms like fish, amphibians, and reptiles.
Resource managers use USGS information to prevent the spread of invasive species and manage lands and waters where they have been found.
According to the Purdue Forestry and Natural Resources "Got Nature?" blog, invasive species are non-native plants, animals, insects, or diseases that can cause harm to the environment, disrupt ecosystems and threaten native species. As spring approaches, it's an ideal time to address them before they overtake native plants and affect water availability or soil quality. Read more here: What Are Invasive Species and Why Should I Care?
Indiana Invasive Species Council - https://www.entm.purdue.edu/iisc/ at Purdue.edu. Mission: The Indiana Invasive Species Council (IISC) was established by the state legislature to enhance the ability of government agencies to detect, prevent, monitor, and manage new and long established invasions, as well as increase public awareness about invasive species.
Indiana Invasive Plant Advisory Committee - https://www.facebook.com/groups/332086560211528/ on Facebook description: This is the FB group for the Invasive Plant Advisory Committee (IPAC), which was created by the Indiana Invasive Species Council in 2010. I'll be using this to share information about IPAC's activities and request information from you when needed. Welcome!
The Terrestrial Plant Rule (312 IAC 18-3-25) designates 44 species of plants as invasive pests. This rule makes it illegal to sell, gift, barter, exchange, distribute, transport, or introduce these plants in the State of Indiana. Learn what you need to know in the Terrestrial Plant Rule Brochure.
This rule went into effect April 18, 2019 .
Plant species already in trade will be prohibited from sale one year later (April 18, 2020).
In recognition of Illinois Invasive Species Month, The Morton Arboretum released 13 invasive species videos - one on...
In recognition of Illinois Invasive Species Month, The Morton Arboretum released 13 invasive species videos - one on basic concepts and 12 on species ID. Check them out! They cover a few species that don't typically get a ton of attention, including lily-of-the-valley, reed canary grass, and narrow-leaved cattail.
Learn the basics of how invasive species spread as well as how to identify some of the most common invasive plant species of the Chicago Region/Midwest. Learn more on how to identify and manage invasive plants at: https://mortonarb.org/explore/activities/adult-programs/invasive-species-online/
Please be a good neighbor and SHARE! The TERRESTRIAL PLANT RULE (312 IAC 18-3-25) goes into full effect on April 18th,...
The TERRESTRIAL PLANT RULE (312 IAC 18-3-25) goes into full effect on April 18th, 2020. For a complete list of plants that are illegal to sell, gift, barter, exchange, distribute, transport, or introduce in the State of Indiana, visit the Indiana Department of Natural Resources' list here: https://www.in.gov/dnr/6351.htm. Please feel free to message us with any questions. [ What is the Rule? INDNR]
Although not required by law, be a conservation champ and eradicate any of these found on your property. This will increase biodiversity and help our native plants, animals and insects. For help with identification, removal, and replacement, please reach out to us or NRCS.. For identification, you can also try the free PlantSnap app on your smartphone. Download it here: https://www.plantsnap.com/.
What is are invasive species and why do we need to be aware of them? They are plants/bugs/animals/diseases etc. that aren't native to our state that will likely cause some sort of harm (health, financial, environmental). Indiana Department of Natural Resources has some great info on invasive species, including photos and reporting tools. #invasivesawarenessin
Spring is on its way - and so are invasive insects! The Purdue Landscape Report recently shared the news on insects to watch for - and report! https://buff.ly/3sPagji
All those white blooming trees you see everywhere... do you think they are pretty? If you knew what they actually represent, you would choke on your morning coffee.
All those white blooming trees you see everywhere... do you think they are pretty? If you knew what they actually represent, you would choke on your morning coffee.
I have always loved this quote [ When you know better... You do better ] by Maya Angelou and I was thinking about it this morning as I was driving by all of the pear trees that are blooming so profusely around town. This tree was planted when no one knew any better and originally was sterile when it was first introduced into the landscape industry. Over the years, it has become highly invasive and is now in natural areas like our Eagle Marsh wetlands. It is out-competing our native plants and it is time that we do better. Please don't plant this tree at your house and if you see it for sale, feel free to respectfully ask that it not be sold. Here are a couple photos of the trees that have invaded an area along W. Jefferson Blvd., just one of many. Look around as you drive and you'll notice where these trees are growing that they were obviously not planted.
Now that we know better, we can do better.
Small blooming pears along US-24/I-469 at Stellhorn Road, May 2018 Street View photo from Google Maps
Several housing subdivisions surround shopping centers extensively planted with flowering pear trees which are escaping into the surrounding areas as birds consume the fruit and drop seeds as they fly around. Current Street View photos show larger fuller trees.
Callery pear, also known as Bradford pear, so pretty blooming but it’s a fast-growing non-native tree that is spreading...
Callery pear, also known as Bradford pear, so pretty blooming but it’s a fast-growing non-native tree that is spreading from our yards, crowding out our native trees & taking over our public places & wild woods. Many pears were planted along streets & in parks before the landscaping community understood the hazards of invasive trees like the pear. Serviceberry or Eastern redbud are nice alternatives here in the Midwest.
There are a lot of pretty #TREES in Fort Wayne, but some of them can be pretty terrible too. Our Superintendent of Urban...
There are a lot of pretty #TREES in Fort Wayne, but some of them can be pretty terrible too. Our Superintendent of Urban Forestry Derek Veit put together an informative article about one of those AWFULLY beautiful trees. #ArborDay#TreeCityWeek#FortWayneAn AWFULL Beautiful Tree
Invasive exotic Bradford pears being removed. They will take over natural areas, and their seeds are mildly poisonous. ...
Invasive exotic Bradford pears being removed. They will take over natural areas, and their seeds are mildly poisonous. Please don't plant these, and if you have them, consider replacing them with native trees like serviceberry.
Q: What's the best way to prune a Bradford Pear?
A: CUT IT DOWN!
Can you smell rotting fish in the air this spring? That’s the awful Callery pear tree, also known as Bradford pear, one of the earliest trees to bloom and one of the most terrible threats to Indiana’s natural landscapes. Overused by landscapers due to its showy blooms, fast growth, and upright stature, this tree is wreaking havoc on Indiana’s biodiversity by spreading rapidly to wild open spaces, where seeds from bird droppings and cross-pollination create monoculture landscapes of dense thickets with sharp thorns – sharp enough to puncture a tractor tire! – that choke out native species and diminish crucial habitat and food for pollinators.
The Bradford pear’s showy white spring blossoms smell disgusting (many compare it to dead fish) yet these trees are a popular landscaping choice for many who don’t realize how devastating they are for Indiana’s environment. A weak tree prone to wind and ice damage, they are also a hazard with a very short lifespan of only 20-25 years.
The Callery pear issue is a rather complex one. Broadford Pear was first introduced to America in the late 1950's. It was the almost perfect tree. It came from a region in China similar in latitude to the U,S. it had a lollipop form, spring flowers, great fall color. The tree was also virtually sterile producing little if any fruit. I remember looking at some examples of the first flowering Bradford pears planted at Purdue in the mid-1980's. The issue with Bradford was their branching habit since all the branches were attached in the same area of the tree, it would break up over time in ice or snow or wind events. So plant breeders went back to that region of china and found other flowering pears that had better branching habits than Bradford. Cleveland select was and still is a common flowering pear cultivar. The other issue with flowering pears is that they are grafted on a rootstock of a similar species that has thorns and has roots that are highly adaptable to tough soil types. In recent years all of a sudden the different overplanted flowering pears scattered across our landscapes began to cross pollinate and produce fruit. In addition the rootstocks of these ornamental pears began to produce suckers below the graft union that also crossed pollinated with the pears and also produced berries. The berries were eaten by birds and scattered over areas. So the pears we see invading wild areas are actually wild hybrids and not the actual cultivars. In other words Bradford pear itself is not the issue, it was a combination of factors that led to wild seedlings of flowering pear becoming invasive. it happened and it is regretful perhaps our zeal to find the perfect tree for landscapes backfired and certainly money was involved. it is too late to point fingers but it is clear that this is an increasing problem because the trees are taking over areas that normally would be occupied by natives such as eastern red cedar. The point of my post was to say that confusing information about the issue and inaction by task forces only will make the problem worse. Trying to fix this issue will present many challenges but i think we can solve it over time.
Ricky Kemery is a Professor of Horticulture at Purdue University Fort Wayne and Former Extension Educator at Purdue University. He posts to The Plant Medic on Facebook with Intro: Gardening information from the Horticulture Educator (retired from the Allen County Extension for 20 years) Ricky Kemery and Jane Ford, Advance Master Gardener and garden writer columnist for the News Sentinel for 9 years. Ricky occasionally writes articles for The Journal Gazette newspaper.
The City of Fort Wayne will be celebrating National Trails Day with a trail improvement project of removing invasive...
The City of Fort Wayne will be celebrating National Trails Day with a trail improvement project of removing invasive Bradford Pear trees along the Pufferbelly Trail. They will need 6 – 12 volunteers. Each volunteer is asked to bring a bow saw (preferred) or hand saw. We’ll park in the back of the Cookie Cottage, 620 West Washington Center Rd, on June 5th. The project will begin at 9 a.m. and end by Noon. They will follow up with a tree planting to replace the Bradford Pears with native trees this fall. If you are interested in helping contact Dawn Ritchie at Dawn.Ritchie@cityoffortwayne.org or 260-427-6002.
Callery pear is one of the most urgent threats to Indiana’s natural areas. Cultivars include Bradford pear, Cleveland...
Callery pear is one of the most urgent threats to Indiana’s natural areas. Cultivars include Bradford pear, Cleveland select, autumn blaze, aristocrat, red spire, Chanticleer, and many others. All cultivars of Callery pear are invasive - there are no exceptions.
Overused by landscapers due to their showy blooms, fast growth, and upright stature, Callery pear trees are wreaking havoc on Indiana’s biodiversity by spreading rapidly to wild open spaces, where seeds from bird droppings and cross-pollination create monoculture landscapes of dense thickets with sharp thorns (sharp enough to puncture a tractor tire!) that choke out native species and diminish crucial habitat and food for pollinators.
Callery pears are one of the first trees to bloom in spring. Their showy white spring blossoms smell disgusting and many compare it to dead fish. Yet these trees are a popular landscaping choice for many who don’t realize how devastating they are for Indiana’s environment.
A weak tree prone to wind and ice damage, they are also a safety concern with a very short lifespan of only 20-25 years.
Protecting Indiana’s forests starts at home in our backyards. Help by removing invasive species before they spread into the natural areas we love and protect.
MIPN has just posted a new article "Pears on the Loose!" contributed by Dr. Theresa Culley. Ohio is the first state to outright regulate the Callery pear, banning it from commercial sale and distribution in January of this year. Learn more about this tree and what is being done to help curtail its spread and impact. Pears on the Loose!
For those wondering why callery pear isn't regulated in Indiana (yet), it was proposed to be included on the Terrestrial Invasive Plant Rule that when into effect in 2020, however it was removed after an economic analysis. It is on a list of species prosed to be added as an amendment to the rule (all species ranked, or revaluated as highly invasive), however that is awaiting next steps by the DNR Division of Entomology and Plant Pathology. More info on that at Indiana Invasive Species Council.
Did you see Cliff on FOX59 News this morning, talking about the issues with Callery pear trees? If not, you can catch it here.
Often times when sunlight can get to the forest floor, you end up having to deal with invasive plants. One plant that I have seen around Fort Wayne and the surrounding area is Dames Rocket. I just learned that there are things you can do with this plant.
I'm hoping to do a program about this plant. Have a great day!
Garlic Mustard
Invasive species: Garlic mustard May 8, 2013 The State Journal-Register on YouTube Garlic mustard was brought by early settlers for use as a substitute for garlic. It has escaped cultivation and is rapidly invading forests in the eastern and midwestern United States. For more outdoors news, visit: www.prairiestateoutdoors.com.
This week is National Invasive Species Awareness Week - a week dedicated to raising awareness of invasive species, their...
This week is National Invasive Species Awareness Week - a week dedicated to raising awareness of invasive species, their threat and we can collectively stop their spread.
Today: Garlic Mustard.
Garlic mustard poses a threat to local biodiversity by outcompeting native species in ecosystems due to its ability to spread seeds through wind and its early emergence in spring, which deprives native plants of sunlight and vital nutrients.
Because the understory of a forest is so important for insects and other species at the bottom of the food chain, plants like garlic mustard can weaken the entire ecosystem.
The ACRES community has spent years pulling this invasive weed from ACRES preserves. If you're ready to get involved and help stop the spread of garlic mustard, check out these opportunities:
What is garlic mustard? Garlic mustard, originally from Europe and Asia, has become a very troublesome invasive plant across the Northeast, Midwest and Northwest of the United States. The plant was introduced to North America in the mid 1800s for its herbal and medicinal qualities and as erosion control. Its aliases are Poor Man’s Mustard, Hedge Garlic, Garlic Root and Jack-by-the-Hedge. It is called garlic mustard because its leaves have a garlic smell when they are crushed.Garlic Mustard: Invasive, Destructive, Edible Wild garlic mustard is a highly destructive invasive species in the United States, but anyone can help stop its spread. The Nature Conservancy Stories In Indiana.
February 28, 2024 post by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources on Facebook: INVASIVE SPECIES WEEK: GARLIC MUSTARD (ALLIARA PETIOLATA) discusses European garlic mustard aphids (Liaphis alliarae) discovered in Cleveland, Ohio, in 2021, feeding on this invasive a possible beneficial control.
Asian Bush Honeysuckle is pretty much the only green you can see at this point along the riverfront.
“It was brought in the 40’s and 50’s as a landscaping plant, but it has taken over,” says Dan Wire, Riverfront Riparian Management Supervisor.
The invasive species is one of the first plants to get leaves in the spring, and one of the very last to lose leaves in the fall, putting a canopy over the soil before anything else can grow.
“It limits the natural variety of vegetation for wildlife to feed on, and for us to look at as beauty along the rivers,” explains Dan.
Honeysuckle gets tall with thick trunks, making it hard to see and enjoy the views from the waterways. Over 20 tons of honeysuckle have been removed the past couple of years.
Did you know there are 4 different species of invasive bush honeysuckle in our state? Tatarian honeysuckle (Lonicera tatarica) was introduced to this continent in the 1700s and has since spread across much of the eastern half of the United States. It can usually be distinguished by its pink flowers, orange fruits, and glabrous (no hairs) twigs, though it can sometimes hybridize with other invasive honeysuckles leading to variations in these characteristics. While telling the difference between these species can be tough, practices for controlling them are similar. For more information about invasive species in Indiana, visit: Invasive Indiana Plants Highlights!
Have you seen this plant? Japanese tree lilac (Syringa reticulata) is a non-native tree often used in urban landscaping. This species has been considered a plant of concern from experts within the Midwest region and has been reported as spreading from cultivation by 3 Midwest gardens (via Public Gardens as Sentinels against Invasive Plants). Syringa subspecies have also been reported as potentially invasive.
Japanese tree lilac can grow 20-30’ tall and 15-25’ wide. Blooms appear in late spring to early summer, later than other lilac shrub species. Flower clusters can grow up to 12” long and are creamy white and fragrant. Dark green, ovate leaves with pointed tips grow in pairs on the stems. Bark on the tree is reddish-brown and peeling, and turns gray with age.
With few reports so far in the Midwest, additional observations of Japanese tree lilac will be necessary to determine its behavior as a potential invasive species.
"Do not plant Japanese tree lilac." ~Adirondack Park Invasive Plant Program
There is a lot of talk and some action regarding currently listed invasive plant species, but few consider what our FUTURE invasive species will be. This tree could be one of them: the Japanese tree Lilac (Syringa reticulata).
They are blooming right now in the state and are easy to pick out. Look for their spray of flowers, and you'll start to see them planted by the thousands along streets, subdivisions, and shopping malls. The species has won several nursery trade/landscaping awards and seems to be one of the "it trees" for Urban Foresters. Webpages touting the tree list its wildlife benefits as "good for insect pollinators and hummingbirds." This tree is native to Asia, specifically Japan, northern China, Korea, and parts of Russia. The Arnold Arboretum of Boston introduced it as a landscape tree in 1876. Its escape from cultivation as a naturalized species is most documented in the New England area.
You'll become more alarmed if you dig beyond the nursery trade on this species. The Adirondack Park Invasive Plant Program (APIPP) webpage for this species says, "Japanese tree lilac can escape cultivation and dominate natural areas, excluding native trees and shading out native plants in the understory. Do not plant Japanese tree lilac." The University of Pittsburgh has found it is popping up all over campus and along the riparian corridor nearby and are conducting studies on it. The Invasive Plant Atlas has confirmed escape of this species in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and even Indiana, specifically at Holliday Park by Kevin Tungesvick.
We remained shocked that we've not learned the lessons that Callery pear, autumn olive, and many other non-native (turned-invasive species) should have taught us. Urban foresters, arborists, and city planners plant these (sometimes with our tax dollars) with seemingly no regard (or research) for the ecological threats these plants could have in the future. Furthermore, they have the audacity to sell people on their "wildlife benefits."
Take a moment and notice how many of these trees are in your community. Not only does every tree produce a massive seed bank that has the potential to threaten our biodiversity and ecological sustainability for years to come, but it also replaces a native tree that should be contributing to our local ecosystem and adding to our community's natural heritage. We must demand better from those who have power over these critical ecosystems.
{This is an alien and highly invasive species. This post is not meant to promote this plant but as an informational warning of its negative effect on native species]
This perennial plant is a member of the Buttercup Family and is native to Europe, North Africa and Western Asia. It has been introduced to North America and is now widespread, mostly but not entirely in the East. It can spread by seed and also by underground stems. It is also called Pilewort or Fig Buttercup;
The flowers have 8 glossy petals. The long-stemmed leaves are heart-shaped. It is a low-growing plant but a single rosette cluster can be up to 12 inches in diameter. It grows best in moist sandy soil often, but not always, along stream and river banks. It is mostly hairless.
It emerges very early, often from March to late May. Since it shares the same habitat it can out-compete native early spring flowers, especially Spring Beauty, Trillium and Blood Root. Once established it can be difficult to control. Botanists recommend use of herbicides when it first emerges and before the native plants appear. It can also be removed mechanically, but it is hard to get all the roots.
Common names can be confusing in botany. There is another plant called Celandine (Chelidenium majus) that is a member of the poppy family. It has similar flowers but only with 4 petals. There is also the Celandine Poppy or Wood Poppy (Stylophorum diphyllum) that is a native species. Both of these have deeply lobed leaves, but those of Celandine Poppy are in pairs and the seeds are hairy. The leaves of the alien Celandine are single and the seeds hairless.
This photograph of the Lesser Celandine was taken by Lisa Pawelski at Emmerling Park, Indiana Twp., Allegheny County, PA on March 17, 2024.
Invasive flowering plant often confused for native species Did you see last week’s spotlight on marsh marigold—a...
Invasive flowering plant often confused for native species
Did you see last week’s spotlight on marsh marigold—a native, yellow beauty of a spring wildflower? The post really gained steam as it became clear that many folks thought what they saw on their property was marsh marigold, when in fact, what many were seeing was a very aggressive non-native plant impacting habitats across Ohio.
At first glance, it’s easy to confuse our native marsh marigold (Caltha palustris) and the non-native invasive, lesser celandine (Ficaria verna). Both are flowering plants whose bright yellow flowers bloom in spring and typically grow in wet locations. However, once you know what to look for, it gets easier to tell them apart!
Where you find the plant is the first clue! Marsh marigolds are found in high quality, intact wetlands with groundwater influence, such as swamps, fens, seeps, and sedge meadows. Lesser celandine tends to grow in disturbed habitats including floodplains, ditches, wet yards, and roadsides. This non-native and invasive plant can tolerate drier upland habitats as well, while marsh marigold needs to keep its “feet” wet.
While the two superficially look similar, up close they are quite different. Marsh marigold has larger flowers (1-1.5” wide) with usually 5, but up to 8, golden yellow, sepal-like petals. Lesser celandine has smaller flowers (up to 1” wide) with 8-12 shiny bright yellow true petals AND 3 green sepals. Marsh marigold has larger, darker green leaves on longer stalks, compared to lesser celandine’s smaller, shiny green leaves on shorter stalks.
Another key difference is how these two plants reproduce. Marsh marigold spreads only via seed production, while lesser celandine can spread by both seed and its tubers. These tubers easily break off to create new plants, which is how this non-native wildflower can quickly become immense monocultures in floodplains. Sadly, those huge swaths of lesser celandine can take over native plant communities which is why ecomanagement on public lands has become critical in some areas. Marsh marigold cannot create dense carpets of plants, rather occurring and scattered clumps.
We are thankful for all the attention paid to lesser celandine—we hope you’ll consider removing it from your property now that you know what it looks like!
Poison Hemlock - Conium maculatum
4030 Lahmeyer Road August 2023 Street View photo indicates someone sprayed herbicide to kill growth in 2023 Bullerman Ditch from Google Maps. The June 2019 Street View photo shows No hemlock, while the May 2024 photo below shows it grew right back! It looks like more hemlock in a 2023 Street View photo growing in the same Bullerman Ditch on Trotters Chase Lane and in-person viewing in June 2024 in the ditch on either side of Stellhorn Road east of the IU Health Center.
May 2024 photo below shows poison hemlock sprayed by August 2023 grew back!
Native Cicuta maculata, or water hemlock, tends to stay in wet areas and doesn't spread so aggressively.
Exotic Species: Poison Hemlock Native to Europe, western Asia, and North America, poison hemlock (Conium maculatum) is now naturalized in almost every state in the United States. It was introduced in the 1800s as a garden plant, marketed as being a “winter fern”. Poison hemlock is highly poisonous to humans and animals. It can acts as a pioneer species and quickly colonized disturbed sites. Infestations occur along roadsides, field margins, ditches, marshes, meadows, and low-lying areas, but poison hemlock prefers shaded areas with moist soil. From the National Park Service.
Poison HemlockHemlock poisoning can occur if you accidentally ingest poison hemlock. Symptoms can range from vomiting to seizures to respiratory failure. There’s no antidote for hemlock poisoning. Your healthcare provider will treat your symptoms, but the condition can be fatal. You can prevent hemlock poisoning by getting rid of any hemlock plants in your yard. From the Cleveland Clinic
Here is the second Poison Hemlock video featuring bolting plants, which is exactly what we are seeing in Dubois county right now. It's also your last chance to control hemlock with herbicides before it flowers. View the 3 video series that includes bolting and flowering hemlock at https://www.facebook.com/watch/169702553062476/224035992172032 or on youtube at https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEWqT_8rlzku_zVYMzCF_S-IOl2a8QbFk. For more info on poison hemlock, including herbicide options, check out this handout from Purdue: https://www.extension.purdue.edu/extmedia/FNR/FNR-437-W.pdf.
Here is the second Poison Hemlock video featuring bolting plants, which is exactly what we are seeing in Dubois county right now. It's also your last chance to control hemlock with herbicides before it flowers.
View the 3 video series that includes bolting and flowering hemlock at Invasive Plants or on youtube at Invasive Plants.
For more info on poison hemlock, including herbicide options, check out this handout from Purdue Invasive Plant Series: Poison Hemlock.
During Wednesday's Garlic Mustard Pull with the Friends of Ferdinand State Forest, Invasive Species Specialist Emily Finch also pulled up some poison hemlock! Check out this video she shared comparing the fern-like hemlock leaves to those of actual native ferns growing in the same area. #invasivespecies, #noxiousweeds
During Wednesday's Garlic Mustard Pull with the Friends of Ferdinand State Forest, Invasive Species Specialist Emily Finch also pulled up some poison hemlock! Check out this video she shared comparing the fern-like hemlock leaves to those of actual native ferns growing in the same area. #invasivespecies, #noxiousweeds
A word on poison hemlock (Conium maculatum) and some of its relatives in the Apiaceae family. It is good that people are becoming more aware of the invasive species like poison hemlock which can cause harm to human health. However, there is some incorrect information out there about this species and its relatives and I’d like to clarify some things.
If your bare skin touches a poison hemlock plant it is unlikely to cause a rash or blisters. I say ‘unlikely’ because different people respond differently to plants and have can have varying degrees of sensitivity. To repeat – skin rash or blisters are generally not symptoms of poison hemlock. However, if the plant’s sap gets into a cut on your skin, or your eyes, or your nasal passages you could have impacts to your nervous system, vomiting, problems in movement and a whole host of other problems. That’s why it is suggested you avoid making contact with the plant, in case sap gets into cuts, eyes, nose, or mouth accidentally. But no blisters – yay!
Wild parsnip (Pastinaca sativa) is an invasive plant in the same family as poison hemlock, and this plant DOES cause blisters if you brush bare skin against the plant (again, some are more sensitive than others) followed by exposure to sunlight. The chemical that causes this is furanocoumarin. The blisters are large, they last for weeks, and leave burgundy scars that can last over a year. I’ve had it twice, and it is not pleasant.
Cow parsnip (Heracleum maximum) is a native plant in the same Apiaceae family, and it contains the same chemical that wild parsnip does and it can cause the same blistering if bare skin is exposed to its leaves followed by exposure to sunlight. Cow parsnip is found in moist woods and roadsides in many counties in the northern half of Indiana, but never gets very abundant (unlike wild parsnip and poison hemlock, which often form monocultures in the areas they are in).
Finally, the media darling of the Apiaceae, giant hogweed (Heracleum mantegazzianum) also contains the chemical that causes blisters. However, giant hogweed has only been found a few times in the past in Indiana, and those populations have been eradicated. It is a federal noxious weed and so reports of it go to the Division of Entomology and Plant Pathology for follow-up. I have also gotten many, many reports of giant hogweed in the state. The total number of proven reports of giant hogweed in Indiana is ….zero. Before reporting giant hogweed, I strongly suggest you look closely at this site - https://www.dec.ny.gov/animals/72766.html- which gives a detailed description of giant hogweed and how to tell it from all lookalike species. It’s really not hard to distinguish it. Are the flower clusters two feet across? If not, it’s probably not giant hogweed.
Hope you find this helpful.
Invasive Spotlight: Poison Hemlock Introduced as an ornamental plant in the 1800s, poison hemlock (Conium maculatum) is...
Introduced as an ornamental plant in the 1800s, poison hemlock (Conium maculatum) is a non-native, invasive species occurring throughout Ohio. The species is so widespread and abundant that it's difficult to control on a large scale. It's a real challenge to remove because there are few effective control methods.
It’s important to identify this plant as all parts of it, if consumed, are HIGHLY poisonous (pet owners beware). The easiest time to identify poison hemlock is when it's in full bloom. It's about 6 to 8 feet high with numerous umbels of small white flowers, stems covered with purple dots, and deeply dissected, fern-like leaves.
What can you do if you find this plant on your property? The recommended time to control poison hemlock is in April when the plants are sending up (bolting) their flowering stem. At that point, you can hand-pull, mow or spray it with a systemic herbicide when it is most effective with less biomass, and less chance of impacting adjacent desired vegetation. ALWAYS protect yourself with protective eyewear, gloves, and long-sleeve shirt when controlling this species. Bag up any parts of manually pulled plants and place them in the trash. Do NOT burn!
Note: This species does not cause dermatitis or blisters. The danger is the sap entering the body through eyes, nose, mouth or open cuts.
To learn more and see additional photos, visit Poison Hemlock .
So I follow a bunch of nature groups and every year on the Indiana Native Plant Society (INPS) there is a lot of talk...
So I follow a bunch of nature groups and every year on the Indiana Native Plant Society (INPS) there is a lot of talk about poison hemlock. I always thought it would be something that you see by the roadside and never really worried about it. I had never seen it at our house — until today. And there it is, right in our flower bed. It’s extremely toxic to ingest and the poison can even be absorbed through your skin so it’s not something you want in your back yard.
So consider this your PSA — poison hemlock has smooth stems, not hairy (like parsnips or carrot) and has purple splotches on the stem, in addition to the feathery fronds. It looks innocuous but it can spread like crazy if it flowers and goes to seed. Tomorrow the gloves are on and this sucker is OUT.
*FUN FACT FRIDAY* The answer to TALK TO ME TUESDAY’S Who Am I is: Poison Hemlock! You can find some interesting facts...
These are the egg cases of the non-native Chinese praying mantis. Our horticulturists have found them throughout the gardens. Note that they are poofy and can be found on almost any plant material. These non-native praying mantises are out of balance in our ecosystem and consume our pollinators, butterflies, and native Carolina mantises in huge numbers.
Our horticulturist says, "There have been times when I have seen a pile of butterfly wings on the ground to find when I looked up a Chinese mantid poised like a sniper on a flowering perennial."
EDIT: We've added a photo of the native egg case and native adult Carolina mantis for reference!
Chinese Silvergrass (Miscanthus sinensis)
Ohio Native Plant Month: Indian Grass It is time for another Plant This, Not That! This time between the invasive...
It is time for another Plant This, Not That! This time between the invasive Chinese Silvergrass (Miscanthus sinensis) and the Ohio native, Indian Grass (Sorghastrum nutans). There are a number of potentially invasive exotic grasses in home landscapes, and a number of wonderful Ohio native alternatives, but for now we are focused on these two!
Chinese silvergrass, also known as zebra grass and Maiden grass, is native to China, Japan, and Korea. Chosen for its large size and showy elegance for home gardens, it features vigorous roots and rhizomes that allow it to aggressively spread into disturbed areas. It also is extremely flammable and can increase the risk of wildfire. Chinese silvergrass can reproduce through rhizomes and seeds can be dispersed by wind. It prefers full sun and moist, rich soil that drains well. As with many exotic species, it does not support many wildlife species.
Indian Grass on the other hand is a beautiful native grass that hosts 9 species of Lepidoptera. Once a dominant grass of the tallgrass prairie which once covered parts of Ohio, it provides excellent cover year round for birds and mammals. Birds eat the seeds and it is resistant to deer browse. It has green foliage that ends in long feathery plumes in August. The plant grows in a wide range of soils including heavy clays, but thrives in moist, rich soils. It is able to withstand drought, erosion, and air pollution! It may not be suitable for small spaces as it reproduces from seed and rhizomes. That being said, there are many native Ohio grasses and grass like plants that can be used, like prairie dropseed, various sedges, sweet flag, northern sea oats, switchgrass, and little bluestem. There is a native grass for every scenario!
Beetles are the original pollinators! Scientists say this giant group of insects were the first to act as animal pollinators — moving pollen from the male parts of one flower to the female parts of another compatible flower. The only tricky part? Beetles also love to eat pollen and other flower parts. Talk about loving thine enemy! Here we have a lady bird beetle (Coccinellidae) sampling the nectar of Queen Anne’s lace (Daucus carota) in the Garden.
Ever wonder why Queen Anne’s lace (Daucus carota) has a red dot in the middle of its umbel of tiny, white flowers?...
Ever wonder why Queen Anne’s lace (Daucus carota) has a red dot in the middle of its umbel of tiny, white flowers? Legend has it the name comes from Queen Anne of Great Britain pricking her finger while tatting lace. Scientists debate its biological function, but some say it is an attractive nectar guide to draw in visiting pollinators like this tiny sweat bee (Halictidae).
Multiflora Rose - Rosa multiflora
🚨Invasive Species Control Update🚨 This week, our stewardship crew fought back against the aggressive multiflora rose at...
This week, our stewardship crew fought back against the aggressive multiflora rose at Ropchan Memorial. [ Steuben County ] Non-native invasive species pose a significant threat to the delicate balance of our native ecosystems, as they compete with and deplete the vital resources our native plants rely on. Using carefully blended herbicides, we are able to effectively target the invasives growing in the area.
Your contributions make it possible for us to undertake crucial invasive species maintenance. Thank you for protecting land with us, and thank you stewards for your endless work in supporting native wildlife on the land we protect.
Shrubs in the forest starting to green up with new leaves is a great sign that spring is on the way, right? It depends...
Shrubs in the forest starting to green up with new leaves is a great sign that spring is on the way, right? It depends on the plant! Not all new leaves are a good sign. The invasive, non-native multi-flora rose (Rosa multiflora) is a great example. Here in the mid-Atlantic, this plant is already leafing out, and areas with a lot of this species are tinged in green. However, many of our native plants have yet to reawaken for the season. This is a common issue with invasive plant species, which often leaf out earlier and keep their leaves longer than many of our native species. A study by Penn State showed that non-native shrubs in the eastern US keep their leaves between 30 and 77 days longer than their native counterparts. This phenomenon is problematic because the invasive species get a jump on and outcompete native plants for light. Plants like spring ephemerals, which emerge early in the season, are especially susceptible as they are denied the sunlight that would normally be present when surrounded by native shrubs without leaves.
You can get involved by volunteering to help remove invasive species from natural spaces in your area, not planting invasive plants, and educating others. Check out this site from the USDA for more resources: Take Action Against Invasive Species
Invasive multiflora rose (Rosa multiflora), was originally planted for living fencerows and erosion control because of its ability to quickly grow into dense thickets. Unfortunately, it has done just that. Foresters at Yellowwood State Forest have been attacking invasive rose thickets with foliar herbicide spray, died blue to make sure the spray is hitting its intended target. Foliar sprays of herbicide are an effective method of control for multiflora rose in the late spring through summer. Learn more about managing Indiana invasive species at control and management!
Non-native Phragmites australis is one of the most invasive plants in North America, having been found in all lower 48 states. In the Laurentian Great Lakes basin, it has invaded over 60,000 acres of U.S. coastline and an unknown amount of inland habitat. Upon invasion, #Phragmites is capable of shifting ecosystem functions and services, including outcompeting native species and limiting access to recreation areas. Although control efforts are successful in some situations, most treatment techniques are expensive and their effectiveness under varying conditions remains uncertain.
To reduce uncertainty and improve the effectiveness and efficiency of all future management actions, the #USGS and partners have developed the Phragmites Adaptive Management Framework, or PAMF: http://bit.ly/2oCWxdM. This free program uses citizen science to analyze outcomes from all participants’ Phragmites management efforts. PAMF is a win-win: It benefits its participants and the #GreatLakes basin by improving Phragmites management, increasing transparency and accountability in decision making, and uniting resource managers, researchers, and others in an effort to promote enduring conservation.
Image: A Phragmites rhizome, or a belowground stem that puts up new shoots, dug up in a coastal marsh of Lake Erie in northern Ohio. Phragmites' belowground biomass can exceed that of its aboveground biomass. (Credit: Dan Engel, Five Rivers Services)
Have you ever seen this grass? If you’ve driven past a wet ditch, you probably have! Common reed grass (Phragmites australis), often called phragmites, is a highly invasive grass in wetland habitats. It colonizes marshes, swamps, and water edges as well as manmade habitats. As we mentioned, it's often seen thriving in roadside ditches.
Phragmites is a tall grass, easily topping 10 feet or higher. It can be identified by its colony-forming habit and fluffy seed heads in winter. Its purple flower heads appear from July to August. It often overruns native wetland plants and can block access to waterways or become a fire hazard.
Caution—Don’t confuse this plant with Ohio’s native species, American reed grass (P. americanus). The native species doesn’t form dense colonies and only grows in higher-quality wetland habitats like marshes, fens, and wet prairies. It has yellow-green leaves, small flower heads, and will shed its mature sheaths (where the leaf meets the stem).
Spring is an excellent time to survey your property for invasive plants and create a management strategy. Summer is generally the best time to administer control methods for invasive phragmites. To learn more about managing aggressive non-native plant species, visit the Ohio Invasive Plant Council’s website at Ohio Invasive Plants Council
Purple Loosestrife - Lythrum salicaria
Over many decades it has spread from garden plantings to unmowed areas including natural areas where it is easily seen growing in wet areas like ditches along roads, along river banks, streams, and other wet areas.
Purple loosestrife Lythrum salicaria Purple loosestrife grows 3-7 feet tall and puts up several spikes of purple flowers in June-July. It spreads aggressively by seed and by rhizome. Even “sterile” cultivars can still produce viable seed. Purple loosestrife has invaded wetlands in northern Indiana, forming pure stands that choke out native vegetation. It has also been found in parts of central and southern Indiana. It is ILLEGAL to buy, sell, or plant purple loosestrife in Indiana.Ohio Fact Sheet. Copied from Meet Indiana’s Bad Guys at the Indiana Native Plant Society.
Another invasive plant species is in full bloom right now. Those patches of purplish-pink flowers you see along...
Another invasive plant species is in full bloom right now. Those patches of purplish-pink flowers you see along waterways (and in some home gardens) are purple loosestrife. While it may look pretty, according to a fact sheet at Indiana Native Plant & Wildflower Society, it readily adapts to wetlands, edging out native grasses, sedges, and other flowering plants that provide a higher quality source of nutrition for wildlife. Even if not planted near a waterway, its seeds are widely distributed by animals, machinery and people.
Check Invasive Plants of Ohio - Purple Loosestrife for more info and to learn removal strategies. In Indiana, it is illegal to buy, sell, or plant purple loosestrife. It is also illegal to sell in Ohio and restricted in Michigan.
PURPLE LOOSESTRIFE: Purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria) is a colorful perennial invasive plant introduced as an ornamental over a hundred years ago. A well-known invasive, this costly natural lake and wetland invader dominates the plant community, reduces open water habitat, and crowds out native wetland species. As a prolific seeder producing millions of seeds per plant, purple loosestrife creates large populations very quickly. What few Hoosiers may not know is it is illegal to sell, offer to sell, give away, plant, or distribute any Lythrum species.
Indiana’s natural resources are everyone’s responsibility. Be aware of what species are non-native and which have shown invasive characteristics. Plant natives whenever possible.
Don’t be tricked by Purple Loosestrife’s (Lythrum salicaria) pretty flowers! It is an aggressive invasive plant found in wetlands throughout the park. A single plant can release millions of seeds a year! Because of their aggressive nature, Purple Loosestrife can easily outcompete native vegetation in wetlands, diminishing their value to native wildlife. Blue Flag Iris is one of many native plants that purple loosestrife threatens in these unique habitats.
Picture 1: Invasives Purple Loosestrife along the edge of The Calumet Lagoon in Miller Woods.
Picture 2: Native Blue Flag Iris in a wetland at Miller Woods.
Attention Wildwood Park residents: The regularly scheduled Beautify Day this Saturday has been replaced by a much more urgent "Save Our Oaks Day." Please report for duty at 9 a.m. and be prepared to eliminate these voracious Spongy Moth caterpillars that are devouring our tree canopy. Board members Brian Mowry, Carmen McGee and Katy Silliman will be providing supplies and know-how at the Park at the Point and at Willowdale Creek. The goal is to band as many trees in our common areas and parks as possible with preference to our century-old but oh-so-vulnerable oaks. Your participation is imperative!
Save the Oaks -- and save the essence of Historic Wildwood Park!
Indiana DNR entomologists have begun seeing spotted lanternfly (SLF) nymphs hatching this year in Switzerland County. The federally regulated invasive species was first identified in Indiana’s Switzerland County in 2021. Detrimental to plant growth and fruit production, especially in vineyards and orchards, it has been found on more than 103 plant species including walnut, oak, maple and fruit trees. The Division of Entomology & Plant Pathology is treating populations to limit spread and conducting surveys to determine its status throughout Indiana. If you think you may have seen this pest (or any other invasive species), report it to the DNR by calling 866-NO EXOTIC (866-663-9684) or email DEPP@dnr.IN.gov. Learn more about spotted lanternfly at Spotted Lanternfly.
Left photo: Adult spotted lanternflies won’t be visible until mid to late August lasting through the first hard freeze. When feeding or crawling about, the wings of this large lanternfly are closed until ready to fly. At roughly an inch in length, they are very noticeable, if they don’t fly away too quickly. Top right photo: When in flight the colorful red hindwings are visible and distinctive. Bottom right photo: The fourth (last) instar of the nymphal stage of spotted lanternfly is bright red with white dots and black markings. This stage will be evident toward the end of July into August. It’s fairly distinctive, but prior to reach this stage of development (and out now), the nymphs are very small and completely black with little white dots.
You may have heard that Spotted Lanternfly, an invasive insect first discovered in Pennsylvania in 2014, has spread to...
You may have heard that Spotted Lanternfly, an invasive insect first discovered in Pennsylvania in 2014, has spread to portions of Indiana. The spotted lanternfly causes serious damage including oozing sap, wilting, leaf curling, and dieback in trees, vines, crops, and many other types of plants. In the spring, they are often found on grapes, roses, tree of heaven, black walnut, butternut, and perennials but are capable of feeding on over 70 species of plants. Spotted lanternfly can kill grape vines and early research suggests they may make other plants more susceptible to stresses like disease and drought. If you think you’ve found a spotted lanternfly, take a picture and report it right away so that we can work to slow its spread (EDDMapS Website, Email: DEPP@dnr.in.gov, or 1-866 NO EXOTIC (1-866-663-9684)).
The hatching of spotted lanternfly nymphs has been confirmed in Huntington and Switzerland Counties of Indiana. Why should you report and then squash them? Learn more from Vince Burkle, Assistant Director of the Division of Entomology & Plant Pathology in this informative video. If you see this insect, contact DNR Division of Entomology & Plant Pathology at 1-866-NO-EXOTIC or you can submit photos at DEPP@dnr.IN.gov.
The Indiana DNR is asking the public to keep an eye out for a brightly-colored invasive insect, spotted lanternflies....
Star of Bethlehem is a member of the lily family. It is believed to have originated in the Mediterranean region in countries such as Italy, Greece and Turkey. It is a highly aggressive poisonous plant. It has naturalized in the Eastern United States. It grows especially well in disturbed and degraded waste areas. The bulb consists of alkaloids and is poisonous to grazing animals. Some folks develop skin rashes simply by handling the plant. A few people have died as a result of thinking the bulbs were wild onions and eating them. Copied from The Plant Medic: Get rid of invasive, poisonous Star of Bethlehem Ricky Kemery April 6, 2024 The Journal Gazette newspaper.
WINTER CREEPER: Today, we look at another ground cover that is popular in garden centers. Everyone has a place where most plants won’t grow or is difficult to mow. Unfortunately, some of the popular sellers are also the most invasive. WINTER CREEPER (Euonymus fortunei) is one example. Winter creeper can form dense low growing mats, climb up trees or be more shrub-like depending on its growing environment. This China native can quickly become established in heavily shaded forests and woodlots and quickly outcompete natives. When the vines begin to climb, they can kill small shrubs and trees. Instead, try a native alternative such as Creeping Blueberry (Vaccinium crassifolium) or Climbing Hydrangea (Decumaria barbara).
Invasive Species Control Update
