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

2. 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

3. 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

4. Leaf Types Node Leaflet Midrib

5. Leaf Arrangements

6. Leaf Margins Entire/Smooth leafToothed leaf

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

8. 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!

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

10. 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!

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

12. 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.

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

14. 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.

15. Garlic Mustard

16. 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!

17. Garlic Mustard-Look-alike Species Sweet white violetGarlic mustard

18. Getting Rid of Garlic Mustard!