BCWA volunteers work to eradicate invasive and non-native species that are harming our wetland ecosystem. These harmful plants crowd out native species, providing little to no sustenance for birds, insects, and other animals. Their rapid growth and aggressive spread contribute to a significant loss of biodiversity. Native plants, on the other hand, have co-evolved with native animals for millennia, providing essential food sources and supporting a healthy ecosystem.
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Table of Contents
Amur Honeysuckle
| Scientific Name: | Lonicera maackii |
| How to Identify: | “These shrubby plants have dark green leaves with long tips. The underside of the leaf has little hairs along the veins. Flowers grow at the stems of the leaves as circular, short, tubular flowers.” |
| Why it’s invasive: | Amur honeysuckles produce an abundant number of fruits, attracting birds and deer that disperse the seeds around the area. When the shrubs are cut, they are quick to return. They easily overshadow the native plants. |
| Removal Method: | “Mechanically – Amur honeysuckle can be removed in early stages if the whole root system is removed. In adult shrubs, cutting it back repeatedly at ground level annually can be effective. If needed, prescribed burns can be used to control honeysuckle. Chemically – Herbicide can be applied to cut stems, the bark, or leaves of honeysuckle in an attempt to control it. For adult honeysuckle, cutting it at ground level then applying herbicide had been most effective.” |
Autumn Olive
| Scientific Name: | Elaeagnus umbellata |
| How to Identify: | “Autumn-olive is a shrubby plant/small tree with small, dark green, oval leaves and an extensive root system. In May through June, it flowers a small, light yellow flower that changes to a small, red/pink fruit.” |
| Why it’s invasive: | Autumn-olives grow rapidly and aggressively, even after being cut. This plant produces an abundant number of fruits, attracting birds that disperse the seeds around the area. |
| Removal Method: | “Mechanically – They can be removed in early stages if the whole root system is removed. Regular mowing or burning can control the plant. Chemically – Herbicide can be applied to cut stems, the bark, or leaves in an attempt to control it.” |
Canada Thistle
| Scientific Name: | Cirsium arvense |
| How to Identify: | “Canada thistle is a tall plant with alternating, prickly leaves that are lobed. Their stems are ridged and hairy. At the top of the plant, there is a round, purple/lavender/white flower in June through October. They grow in meadows, wet prairies, fends, pastures, barrens, and fields.” |
| Why it’s invasive: | The seeds from Canada thistle can be easily dispersed by the wind. When in the soil, their seeds can be viable for up to twenty years. Canada thistle can easily grow from root fragments that are less than an inch. |
| Removal Method: | Rosettes (new sprouts) can be dug out or chemically treated. Dig out the plant’s taproot 1″ below the surface and remove the plant, use a dauber, or spray RoundUp on individual plants. The best practice is to spray large strands with RoundUp. |
Cattails: Narrow-Leaved and Hybrid
| Scientific Name: | Typha angustifolia |
| How to Identify: | Narrow-leaved cattails (invasive) are tall, green, narrow stalks that produce a brown flowering head. The leaves are ¼ to ¾ inches wide. They have a natural 1- to 4-inch gap between the male and female flowers. Broad-leaved cattails (native) have leaves up to 1½ inches wide with no gap between the flowers. Hybrid cattails (invasive) are often taller and more invasive than either parent. They have a gap between the male and female flowers, but not as wide as the narrow-leaved cattail’s gap. |
| Why it’s invasive: | Narrow-leaved cattails reproduce by both seeds and rhizomes (underground stems that grow horizontally and function as the organs of asexual reproduction and food storage), quickly taking over wet prairies by crowding out native plants species. |
| Removal Method: | In early summer, manually control cattails by cutting green stalks down to ground level. Place the stalks in a pile to dry. In late summer and early fall, wipe cattail resprouts with RoundUp Custom while they are still green. (Wiping cattails requires specific training and protective apparel. Contact the BCWA office for more information at 937-320-9042 or Beth at bedsall@beavercreekwetlands.org) Biologically – introducing a species to graze on the cattails, such as muskrats that will feed on seedlings and young cattails. |
Common Buckthorn
| Scientific Name: | Rhamnus cathartica |
| How to Identify: | “Common buckthorn is a woody shrub/small tree with grayish-brown bark with a speckled look to it. It has dark leaves that are shiny, oval, and a wave look to it’s edges that form a point at the tip. In May through June, a 5-petaled, cream/green flower blooms that changes to purple/black fruit in July through September. Common buckthorn has a smooth stem that has a pink/orange center and a yellow layer underneath the bark.” |
| Why it’s invasive: | Common buckthorn’s seedlings, saplings, and sprouts overshadow the surrounding native vegetation. It can grow to be very thick and dense, causing it to crowd out other plants. |
| Removal Method: | “Mechanically – Simple hand-pulling! The entire plant and roots must be removed. Once removed, the plant should be disposed of away from the area. Repeated mowing can be effective, but regrowth will occur. Prescribed burning can also be effective. Chemically – Herbicide can be applied to cut stems or the bark in an attempt to control it. This can be done in the dormant season of the plant, and in above freezing temperatures.” |
Common Reed
| Scientific Name: | Phragmites australis |
| How to Identify: | A tall, stalky grass that can grow 5 – 10 feet with purple/golden flowers at the top of the stalk. Compared to the invasive Phragmites, the native Phragmites have smooth, shiny, and short ligules (outgrowth from a node in the grass stem). |
| Why it’s invasive: | Since this plant is taller than other native vegetation, it blocks the light from reaching other plants. Also, its rhizomes spread quickly, causing them to overrun an area. |
| Removal Method: | Mechanically – Hand-pulling, mowing, or cutting the plant in late July. Chemically – Herbicides can be used in late summer/early fall by spraying the plant for at least 2 years in a row. Biologically – Introducing a species to feed on the plant. |
Garlic Mustard
| Scientific Name: | Alliaria petiolata |
| How to Identify: | “Garlic mustard releases a garlic-like smell when the leaves are crushed. At first, a kidney-shaped leaf will grow while triangular leaves begin to grow on a longer stem in the second year. From late April to June, white flowers start to bloom at the end of the plant’s stem. A small green case holds the seeds until they turn brown, and the seeds are released.” |
| Why it’s invasive: | “This plant produces an abundance of seeds that can germinate for up to 10 years after being released.” |
| Removal Method: | “Mechanically – Simple hand-pulling! The entire plant, including the roots, must be removed. Once removed, the plant should be disposed of away from the area. In larger areas, removing the flowering stems can also be effective. Chemically – Herbicides can be used in dry areas. Be sure to spray all Garlic Mustard in the area, or surviving plants will come back with vengeance! Biologically – Currently, some species are being studied to see if they can be used to control Garlic Mustard.” |
Oriental/Asiatic Bittersweet
| Scientific Name: | Celastrus orbiculatus |
| How to Identify: | Oriental/Asiatic bittersweet is a green vine with alternating leaves that are rounded with little spikes. Stems of the vine can grow up to 60 feet. Small, green flowers grow out from the leaves and produce an abundance of fruit that are yellow. The fruit produces three orange seeds from the yellow case. |
| Why it’s invasive: | Oriental/Asiatic grows quickly, covering vast areas and other plants. The vine restricts nutrients and light from surrounding plants. It also has an extensive root system. The many seeds that are produced are spread by birds. |
| Removal Method: | “Mechanically – Simple hand-pulling for smaller populations. The entire plant must be removed, along with the roots. Once removed, the plant should be disposed of away from the area. Chemically – Herbicides can be applied when seeds are set, before it goes dormant for the winter.” |
Purple Loosestrife
| Scientific Name: | Lythrum salicaria |
| How to Identify: | Purple Loosestrife are tall green stalks that have blooming magenta flowers. In comparison to the native loosestrife, invasive loosestrife has 12 stamens instead of 4-6 in the native. |
| Why it’s invasive: | Purple Loosestrife’s flowering season is relatively long, usually from June to September. This causes many seeds to produce and spread for a long period of time. An adult plant can have around 30 stems that flower and produce millions of seeds per year. |
| Removal Method: | “Mechanically – simple hand-pulling! However, the entire root system must be taken out of the soil. When removed, the plant should be disposed of in a bag and not put back on the ground. Chemically – Herbicides can be used through spot-treatment late in the blooming season. Cutting the plant and applying herbicide can be done also. Biologically – Introducing a species to feed on the plant, such as Galerucella beetles that will feed on the plant’s leaves, stems, and flowers.” |
Reed Canary Grass
| Scientific Name: | Phalaris arundinacea |
| How to Identify: | A course, tall, large grass that can grow between 2 – 7 feet tall with short, limp leaves at the top of the grass. Flowers bloom that turn green to purple to light brown over time. In late June, its seeds become ripe and disperse. |
| Why it’s invasive: | “Reed Canary Grass has large seed banks that disperse easily to cover an area. They also have strong root systems that allow them to keep coming back year after year.” |
| Removal Method: | “Mechanically – Simple hand-pulling! The entire plant must be taken out, including the roots. Once removed, the plant should be disposed of away from the area. Chemically – Herbicides can be used. To be most effective, herbicides should be used in early spring or late fall. Be sure to remove previous year’s growth so the herbicide will reach the new growth. Using herbicide after mowing in the fall is effective as well.” |
Teasel
| Scientific Name: | Dipsacus fullonum |
| How to Identify: | Common teasel can grow up to 6 feet tall. The flowers are light purple, egg-shaped, and spiny. The leaves are long, narrow and serrated. |
| Why it’s invasive: | Teasel can create large, dense groups and is highly competitive in open prairie habitats. |
| Removal Method: | Sever the taproot with special shovels. After they begin flowering, cut the flower heads and collect them for disposal. |
Tree of Heaven
| Scientific Name: | Ailanthus altissima |
| How to Identify: | Tree of heaven is a tall tree with gray/brown bark. It has compound leaves with leaflets off the stem. Flowers bloom with a yellow/greenish tint. Female trees produce winged fruit that has a seed at the center. This tree is known to have a rancid peanut scent. |
| Why it’s invasive: | The adult female tree produces an abundance of seeds that disperse by wind, water, or birds. These seeds have a high germination rate, extensive root systems, and are fast-growing. Furthermore, they can grow from their stumps that have been cut. When they grow, they release a toxic odor that restricts the growth of other vegetation. |
| Removal Method: | “Mechanically – They may be hand-picked as a young plant. The whole plant and roots must be removed and disposed of away from the area. Chemically – Herbicide can be applied to the stems, bark, or leaves. Applying herbicide to cut stems is the best method of removal. Biologically – Insects, such as Ailanthus webworm, can be found to control the growth of the Tree of heaven.” |