These species are invasive plants that are a threat to northern Michigan, but NCCISMA and its partners believe can still be controlled in our area.
It is unlawful to possess, introduce, import or sell a species that is prohibited or restricted in Michigan.
Giant and Japanese Knotweed
Prohibited in Michigan
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Description
Habitat Knotweed is found in home landscaping and fencerows on farms. It has been known to invade natural areas from where it was originally planted. It can tolerate a variety of moisture and soil types, and sunny to shady conditions. |
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Reasons for Concern
Knotweed is sometimes called Michigan bamboo, but it is not native to the state. Its roots can extend 60 feet horizontally and 15 feet deep. They are also strong enough to break through concrete and has been found to grow into houses. Mechanical removals such as cutting and mowing will not get rid of knotweed and can spread the plant. There is no known instance of complete eradication of knotweed.
Giant and Japanese knotweed can hybridize to produce Bohemian knotweed.
Knotweed is sometimes called Michigan bamboo, but it is not native to the state. Its roots can extend 60 feet horizontally and 15 feet deep. They are also strong enough to break through concrete and has been found to grow into houses. Mechanical removals such as cutting and mowing will not get rid of knotweed and can spread the plant. There is no known instance of complete eradication of knotweed.
Giant and Japanese knotweed can hybridize to produce Bohemian knotweed.
Oriental Bittersweet
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Description
Distinguish From Native Bittersweet The flowers and fruit of American bittersweet cluster at the ends of branches. Oriental bittersweet, on the other hand, has flowers and fruit growing at each leaf axil. |
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Habitat
Oriental bittersweet can survive in a variety of environments including full sun and full shade.
Reasons for Concern
Oriental bittersweet is an aggressive, fast growing vine which coils around trees, shrubs, and any other available support. The vine girdles trees, preventing them from transporting nutrients, and eventually killing the plants. It grows rapidly and can shade out the vegetation that supports it.
Oriental bittersweet can survive in a variety of environments including full sun and full shade.
Reasons for Concern
Oriental bittersweet is an aggressive, fast growing vine which coils around trees, shrubs, and any other available support. The vine girdles trees, preventing them from transporting nutrients, and eventually killing the plants. It grows rapidly and can shade out the vegetation that supports it.
Invasive Phragmites
Restricted in Michigan
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Description
Habitat Phragmites grows in wetlands, and along roadside ditches, stream/river banks, lakeshore edges, and other wet areas. Reasons for Concern
Invasive phragmites forms dense stands. Pulling, cutting, mowing, and burning can increase the rate of its spread. Even small rhizome fragments can grow into new plants. There is a native species of phragmites that can hybridize with invasive phragmites. Distinguishing between them can be difficult, contact NCCISMA for help with identification. |
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Wild Parsnip
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Description
Habitat Wild parsnip prefers open sunny areas, but will tolerate light shade and a wide range of soil conditions and moisture levels. It is often found along roadsides, in fields and disturbed areas. Reasons for Concern Wild parsnip produces sap that causes increased skin sensitivity to sunlight. If the sap comes into contact with skin, it can cause severe rash and blistering. |
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Tree-of-Heaven
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Description
Habitat Tree-of-heaven grows in a wide range of sun and soil conditions. It is commonly found in urban environments where it is used as a landscaping tree and along the edge of woodlots. Reasons for Concern
Cutting down or injuring tree-of-heaven causes it to spread by new growth from the roots. A single tree may stay put for years, then suddenly spread and quickly take over. |
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Garlic Mustard
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Description
Habitat Garlic mustard often invades forests and heavily disturbed areas. It can also grow in full sun and is sometimes found in prairies and along roadsides. |
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Reasons for Concern
Garlic mustard outcompetes other understory plants and forms dense monocultures. Its roots release chemicals that inhabit the growth of other plants. It spreads easily along trails and disturbed areas.
Garlic mustard outcompetes other understory plants and forms dense monocultures. Its roots release chemicals that inhabit the growth of other plants. It spreads easily along trails and disturbed areas.
Bristly Locust
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Description
Habitat Bristly locust can be found in a variety of soils. Reasons for Concern Bristly locust was originally planted to control erosion, but escaped cultivation. In the wild, it forms dense thickets that crowd out other plants and wildlife. Cutting it causes new growth from the roots, leading to the plant's spread. All parts of bristly locust are mildly poisonous. |
Bristly locust has bright pink flowers and stems covered in soft, red bristles.
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Black & Pale Swallow-wort
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Description
Distinguishing Between Species
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Habitat
Swallow-wort is found in hardwood forests, shaded woods, open prairies, fields, savannas, and roadsides. They can tolerate a range of light and soil conditions.
Reason for Concern
Swallow-worts can rapidly grow over native vegetation and wind-dispersed seed travels long distances. The plant sap contains toxins that may pose a threat to grazing farm animals when incorporated into hay bales and is poisonous to monarch butterfly larva (adult butterflies sometimes mistake swallow-wort for milkweed and lay their eggs on the invasive plant).
Swallow-wort is found in hardwood forests, shaded woods, open prairies, fields, savannas, and roadsides. They can tolerate a range of light and soil conditions.
Reason for Concern
Swallow-worts can rapidly grow over native vegetation and wind-dispersed seed travels long distances. The plant sap contains toxins that may pose a threat to grazing farm animals when incorporated into hay bales and is poisonous to monarch butterfly larva (adult butterflies sometimes mistake swallow-wort for milkweed and lay their eggs on the invasive plant).
European Frog-bit
Prohibited in Michigan
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Description
Distinguishing Between Species
Habitat European frog-bit occurs in shallow, slow-moving water on the edges of lakes, rivers, streams, swamps, marshes, and ditches. |
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Reason for Concern
Reproduces rapidly from turions (winter buds that are produced on the stolons/runners); one plant can produce over 100 turions a year. Dense mats of European frog-bit can impede boat traffic, alter food and habitat for ducks and fish and can also reduce oxygen and light in the water column.
Reproduces rapidly from turions (winter buds that are produced on the stolons/runners); one plant can produce over 100 turions a year. Dense mats of European frog-bit can impede boat traffic, alter food and habitat for ducks and fish and can also reduce oxygen and light in the water column.
