These species are invasive plants that have been observed in other locations, particularly southern Michigan and its bordering states. They either have not been observed in the NCCISMA geographic region, or their observation has been limited to a few isolated occurrences. 

​It is unlawful to possess, introduce, import or sell a species that is prohibited or restricted in Michigan.

Black & Pale Swallow-wort 

Description
  • Vine that can grow up to seven feet long
  • Leaves are narrow and waxy with a pointy tip
  • Leaves give off a strong herbal scent when crushed
  • Small five-petal flowers that grow in clusters by leaf axils
    • Black swallow-wort has dark purple flowers; pale swallow-wort's are light purple or pink 
  • Long, thin seed pods that resemble those of milkweed that split open to reveal seeds and cotton 

Habitat
Swallow-wort is native to Europe. It is often found in disturbed areas including pastures and farm fields and can tolerate a variety of light and soil conditions. 

Reason For Concern
Swallow-wort plants grows rapidly over vegetation. Their roots emit substances that are lethal to other plants. Swallow-wort plants are known to be toxic to mammals, including livestock. 

Chinese Yam
Michigan Watch List Species

Description 
  • Vine with long, heart-shaped leaves
  • Small bulbils or air tubers, which resemble small potatoes, grow at leaf axils

Habitat
Chinese yam is native to Asia. It an be found many areas including along roadsides, fence rows, stream banks, ditches, and in forests.

Reasons for Concern:
Chinese yam grows quickly and can over surrounding vegetation. 

European Frog-Bit
Michigan Watch List Species - Prohibited in Michigan

​Description
  • Free floating aquatic plant
  • Small heart-shaped leaves that resemble miniature water lily leaves
  • Leaves are about 1/2" to 2 1/4" wide 
  • Underside of leaves are a purplish-red color
  • Three-petal white flowers with a yellow center

Habitat
European frog-bit grows primarily in slow moving water, along the edges of rivers, lakes, and wetlands, and ditches.

Reasons for Concern:
It forms dense, tangled mats in the water which are difficult for wildlife, people, and boats to move through. It can be spread by stolons and turions. 

Flowering Rush
Restricted in Michigan

Description
  • Long, narrow leaves that grow at the base of the plant 
    • Leaves have triangular cross-section and tend to twist towards the upper tip
  • Clusters of pink flowers with three petals and three petal-like sepals
  • Difficult to identify when flowers are not in bloom. 

Habitat
Flowering rush is native to Europe and western Asia. It typically grows in waters less than 10 feet deep. It tends to inhabit wetlands along rivers and lakes, as well as ditches with persistent standing water. 

Reasons for Concern: 
Flowering rush can block water flow and hinder recreational activities. It is known to harbor the snails that host the swimmer's itch parasite. ​

Giant Hogweed
Prohibited in Michigan

Description 
​Giant hogweed is a tall (8-15 feet) biennial or short-lived perennial. If the sap of the plant comes into contact with skin, it causes severe blistering and skin discoloration when in the presence of sunlight.
  • Leaves: large, lobed leaves that can grow up to 9 feet long; leaves have tooth edges and hairy undersides
  • Flowers: clusters of small white flowers which grow in a large umbrella shape
  • Stem: thick (2-4 inches in diameter), hollow and covered in stiff white hairs; reddish-purple colored blotches cover stem, especially near the base  
Habitat 
Giant hogweed is native to Russia and Georgia. It can grow in a range of habitats, but prefers open, moderately moist areas.

Himalayan Balsam
Michigan Watch List Species

Description 
  • Leaves: Opposite or whorled leaves with toothed edges; mid-rib is often reddish color; petiole has large glands which produce a sweet smelling nectar   
  • Purple, pink, or occasionally white flowers
  • Purplish-color and have a 6-sided cross-section

Habitat 
Himalayan balsam is native to the Himalayas. It can be found in moist areas including riverbanks, ditches, swamps, and floodplains. 

Japanese Chaff Flower
Michigan Watch List Species

Description 
  • Simple, opposite leaves with slightly wavy edges
  • Green colored spikes with no petals 

Habitat
Japanese chaff flower is native to east Asia. It can be found in a range of areas including forests, riparian areas, and disturbed areas. 

Japanese Stiltgrass
Michigan Watch List Species

Description
  • Long, lance-shaped leaves
  • Distinct shiny mid-rib which looks like a silver line down the center of the leaf

​Habitat
Japanese stiltgrass will tolerate a variety of sun and moisture conditions. It prefers moist soils and will grow in riverbanks, forest floodplains, roadsides, and ditches. 

Jetbead

Description
  • Tall shrub 
  • Leaves have very toothed edges and narrow to a long point 
  • White flowers with four petals which grow at the tips of branches
  • Black fruit which grows in clusters at the tips of branches 

Habitat 
Jetbead is native to China and Japan. It can tolerate a range of sun conditions and prefers well-drained soils. It has been found to invade forests. 

Kudzu
Michigan Watch List Species

 Description
  • Compound leaves with three leaflets
  • Leaflets narrow to a point and  can be lobed or unlobed 
  • Stems and edges of leaflets are covered in small hairs
  • Purple flowers grow in spikes along leaf axils 

​Habitat 
​Kudzu is native Asia. It prefers open, sunny area, but will grow under a variety of conditions.

Problems Caused
​Kudzu is a fast growing vine which can grow between 32-100 feet long. It can spread at a rate of one foot per day.

Lesser Celandine

Description
  • Dark-green, heart-shaped leaves that grow in rosettes 
  • Yellow flowers with many petals 

​Habitat 
Lesser celandine is native to Europe. It can be found in forest floodplains, wet meadows, and roadsides. 

Water Hyacinth
Michigan Watch List Species

Description
  • Free-floating aquatic plant
  • Broad, thick leaves that grow at the base of the plant
  • Lavender-blue flowers which grow in clusters on a spike
​
Habitat
Water hyacinth can grow in freshwater wetlands, ponds, lakes, and rivers. It does not tolerate freezing temperatures for long periods of time. 

Problems Caused
It reproduces quickly and forms dense mats in the water. 

Water Lettuce
Michigan Watch List Species

Description
  • Free-floating aquatic plant that resembles a head of lettuce
  • Thick, light green leaves covered in tiny white hairs 
  • Feathery roots which dangle beneath the water's surface
​
Habitat
Water lettuce grows in slow-moving waters including ponds, lakes, and ditches. 

Problems Caused
Reproduces quickly and covers the surface of the water in dense mats.

Water Soldier
Michigan Watch List Species - Prohibited in Michigan 

Description 
  • Submerged aquatic plant that floats to the surface during the summer 
  • Long, lance-sharped leaves with sharp, spiny edges
  • Leaves grow in rosettes at the base of the plant 
  • White flowers with three petals
​
Habitat
Water lettuce is native to Europe and northwest Asia. It grows in freshwater including ponds, lakes, and rivers. 

Problems Caused
It forms dense mats in the water and its sharp leaves can cut swimmers.

Yellow Floating Heart
Michigan Watch List Species - Prohibited in Michigan

Description
  • Rooted aquatic plant
  • Floating, heart-shaped leaves which are nearly circular and have scalloped edges
  • Yellow flowers with five fringed petals that rise several inches above the water's surface

​Habitat
Yellow floating heart is native to Europe and Asia. It grows in slow moving waters including lakes, ponds, rivers, and streams. 

Problems Caused
It forms dense mats in the water. Can reproduce through plant fragments.
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