Invasives
Black Swallowwort (Cynanchum louiseae syn: Cynanchum nigrum)
Black or Louis’ swallow-wort (previously Vincetoxicum nigrum and Cynanchum nigrum) is a perennial, twining herbaceous vine. The leaves are oval shaped with pointed tips, 3-4 in. long by 2-3 in. wide, and occur in pairs along the stem. The small five-petaled star shaped flowers are dark purple to almost black with white hairs, about…
Kudzu (Pueraria montana ssp. lobata)
Kudzu, known as “the plant that ate the south” is a perennial, semi-woody vine that can reach 100 feet in length. The alternate, compound leaves consist of three broad leaflets, which are hairy on the undersides and 4-6 inches in length. The clusters of purple flowers, which have a grape-like…
Mile-a-minute Vine (Persicaria perfoliata)
*If found report here to Mass. Dept. of Agricultural Resources (MDAR). Overview: Relatively new species to Massachusetts and considered an Early Detection Species. Herbaceous, annual vine that can grow ~6 in a day. Small, curved, sharp barbs cover the stem, petioles, and leaf undersides. Size: Can grow to 25 feet…
Oriental Bittersweet (Celastrus orbiculatus)
Overview: Deciduous woody perennial plant which grows as a climbing vine and a trailing shrub. Size: Mature plants can attain stem widths of 10 inches in diameter and 60 feet in length. Leaves: Alternate, glossy, nearly as wide as they are long (round), with finely toothed margins. There are separate…