How to Identify Non-native Invasive Plants Cynthia Sandeno, Ecologist Monongahela National Forest March 20, 2012

What We Will Cover Today: Learn how to ID plants using: o Growth cycles o Leaf types o Leaf arrangements o Leaf margins Learn how to ID: o Autumn-olive o Japanese knotweed o Japanese stiltgrass o Tree-of-heaven o Garlic mustard

Growth Cycles Annual : plants that perform their entire life cycle from seed to flower to seed within one growing season. Biennial : plants which require two years to complete their life cycle. Perennial : any plant that persists for three or more growing seasons. Japanese Stiltgrass Garlic Mustard Tree-of-heaven

Leaf Types Node Leaflet Midrib

Leaf Arrangements

Leaf Margins Entire/Smooth leafToothed leaf

Autumn-olive Why was this invasive plant introduced into the U.S.?

Autumn-olive Leaves: small and oval, dark green on the upper surface and silvery below. Small coppery dots occur on stems and leaves. Flowers: light yellow and has a very strong odor. Fruits: a lot of red, small, and round fruits. Can reach up to 20 ft. in height!

Japanese Knotweed Why was this invasive plant introduced into the U.S.?

Japanese Knotweed Stems: are smooth and hollow (like bamboo). Stem is zigzagged. Leaves: pointed leaves vary from broadly oval to almost triangular, but they always have a squarish base. Flowers: sprays of small greenish-white flowers. Affects water quality and fish habitat!

Japanese Stiltgrass How did this plant get into the U.S.?

Japanese Stiltgrass Leaves: pale green and lance-shaped with a distinct sliver stripe along the middle of the leaf. Has very shallow roots. Can grow 2-3 ft. in height.

Tree-of-heaven What country is this invasive native ?

Tree-of-heaven Leaves: compound and each leaflet is entire except for 1-2 rounded teeth at the base. Underside of each leaflet has a round gland near the “thumb”. Flowers: small, yellow-green near tips of branches.

Garlic Mustard

Rosettes consisting of 3-4 kidney-shaped leaves Leaves are coarsely toothed Between 2 and 4 feet in height Triangular leaves with toothed edges Clusters of small white flowers 4 petals in a cross shape First year plantSecond year plant Leaves smell like garlic when crushed!

Garlic Mustard-Look-alike Species Sweet white violetGarlic mustard

Getting Rid of Garlic Mustard!