Invasives

Autumn Olive (Elaeagnus umbellata)

Autumn olive is a deciduous shrub that can grow to 20 ft. in height. The stems, buds and leaves have a dense covering of silvery to rusty scales. Leaves are alternate, egg or lance-shaped, smooth margined, dull green above and often with brown scales beneath. Autumn olive flowers in June…

Japanese Knotweed (Fallopia japonica)

Japanese knotweed is a tall herbaceous perennial that can grow to over 10 feet in height. As with all members of this family, the base of the stem above each joint is surrounded by a membranous sheath. The stems are smooth, stout and swollen at joints where the leaf meets…

Japanese Stiltgrass (Microstegium vimineum)

Japanese stiltgrass, native to East Asia, is an annual grass that can grow 5-6 feet in length, but the arching stems make it appear shorter. The name “stiltgrass” comes from the weak, prop-like roots which pull easily out of the ground. The 3” lance-shaped leaves are limy-green and taper at…

Oriental Bittersweet (Celastrus orbiculatus)

Oriental bittersweet is a deciduous woody perennial plant which grows as a climbing vine and a trailing shrub. Mature plants can attain stem widths of 4 inches in diameter and grow as high as 60 feet into trees. The leaves are alternate, glossy, nearly as wide as they are long…