Weeds

🌱 WEEDS

MUGWORT:  Artemisia vulgaris: Aromatic fast-spreading perennial herb that reproduces via rhizomes, forming dense monocultures, crowding out native flora. When possible, hand pulling very young plants in spring or early summer, before formation of rhizomes may keep spread of populations in check and prevent establishment of new colonies.

Identification:
• Stem: Erect, reddish or purplish
• Leaves: Deeply lobed with silvery undersides
• Flowers: Small, inconspicuous, greenish-yellow (late summer)
• Growth: Releases chemicals that inhibit other plants

  mugwort

(Photo Credit Alyssa Siegel-Miles)

GARLIC M USTARD: Alliaria petiolata: A biennial herb that displaces native wildflowers and disrupts forest ecology. 

Identification:
• Leaves: Heart-shaped with scalloped edges; smell like garlic when crushed
• Stem: Smooth, slender, ridged, and green up to 3 feet tall
• Flowers: Small, white, 4-petaled clusters (spring)
• Seed Pods: Thin, upright capsules containing black seeds

  garlic mustard

Photo Credit Chris Evans, University of Illinois, Bugwood.org.

JAPANESE STILTGRASS: Microstegium vimineum: A shade-tolerant annual grass that overtakes forest understories, creating dense mats.

Identification:
• Stem: Delicate Sprawling, weak, often reddish near base.  NOTE: Stems feel wiry and produces prickle-like stilts. This characteristic distinguishes Stiltgrass from our native Nimblewill which has a similar appearance, but has soft, flexible stems.
• Leaves: Narrow with a distinct silvery midrib (2–4” long)
• Flowers: Tiny, Slender, spike-like (late summer/fall)
• Seed: Minute & Abundant, allowing rapid spread

  japanese stiltgrass

 Photo Credit: Chuck Bargeron; University of Georgia & WNYPRISM

🌴Trees:

 

TREE of HEAVEN:  Ailanthus altissima: Rapidly growing invasive native to China. It disrupts local ecosystems by outcompeting native species and is particularly problematic due to its association with invasive pests like the spotted Laternfly. A female tree produces up to 300,000 seeds per year.  Sometimes confused with the native Sumac and Black Walnut.

Identification:
• Habitat: Sun-loving, drought tolerant and grows in poor soil.
• Bark: Distinctive rough/fissured back, like cantaloupe skin.
• Branches: Long with “chiseled” tips.
• Leaves: Long with a central stem and leaflets on either side. Lance-shaped leaflets with smooth edges with a glandular tooth at the base. This distinguishes them from Sumac and Black Walnut.
• Scent: Leaves have a repugnant smell like burnt peanut butter, wet gym socks, or cat urine, while the flowers of the male trees have a noxious, skunk-like smell.  tree of heaven                                                                                                                          Photo Credit: Paul Wray, Iowa State University, Bugwood.org

NOTE: WILD GRAPE: Vitis labrusca: Native Species that is easily confused with more aggressive vines that cause ecological harm.. The general rule is DO NOT CUT unless it’s completely covering the tree canopy and smothering the tree.  Wild Fox Grape provides shelter and food for birds and other animals, especially during the winter.