Common Invasive Plant Identification

These are some of the most common and / or most detrimental invasive species in Lexington.

japaneseknotweed-300

Japanese Knotweed

(Polygonum cuspidatum or Fallopia japonica)

A member of the buckwheat family (Polygonaceae), knotweed is an upright, shrubby, herbaceous perennial that can grow to over 10 feet in height.

Learn more information on Japanese Knotweed.

Asiatic Bittersweet

Asiatic Bittersweet

(Celastrus orbiculatus)

Vine. Infests forest edges, open woodlands, fields, hedgerows, coastal areas, salt marsh edges and particularly disturbed lands.

Learn more information on Asiatic Bittersweet.

Glossy Buckthorn

Glossy Buckthorn

(Frangula alnus)

Deciduous shrub that grows in wet soils in open woods, scrub, hedgerows and bogs, thriving well in sunlight and moderate shade.

Learn more information on Glossy Buckthorn.

Multiflora Rose

Multiflora Rose

(Rosa multiflora)

A scrambling shrub climbing over other plants to a height of 10 feet - 15 feet, with stout stems with recurved prickles (sometimes absent).

Learn more information on Multiflora Rose.

Burning Bush or Winged Euonymus

Burning Bush or Winged Euonymus

(Euonymus alatus)

Deciduous shrub grows to 8 feet tall, often wider than tall.

Learn more information on Bush Honeysuckle.

Bush Honeysuckle

Bush Honeysuckle

Lonicera spp)

All are upright, shallow-rooted deciduous shrubs, ranging from 6 to 15 feet, that leaf out early and remain green late.

Learn more information on Bush Honeysuckle.

Black Swallowwort

Black Swallowwort

(Cynanchum louiseae)

Perennial vine with a single non-branching stem that grows up to 6 feet, typically twining and sprawling over other vegetation.

Learn more information on Black Swallowwort.

Japanese Stiltgrass

Japanese Stiltgrass

(Polygonum cuspidatum)

Annual grass resembling a small, delicate bamboo; mature plants grow to 2 feet - 3 feet.

Learn more information on Japanese Stiltgrass.

Garlic Mustard

Garlic Mustard

(Alliaria petiolata)

Biennial. In the first year of growth, plants form clumps of round shaped, slightly wrinkled leaves, that when crushed smell like garlic. The next year plants flower in spring, producing cross shaped white flowers in dense clusters.

Learn more information on Garlic Mustard.

Japanese Barberry

Japanese Barberry

(Berberis thunbergii)

Dense, deciduous, spiny shrub that grows 2 feet - 8 feet.

Learn more information on Japanese Barberry.