Merry Invasive Christmas Eve!

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Invasives are pervasive! On a walk this morning in one of our local parks, I observed many invasive plants happy as a child on Christmas Eve!

 

As I walked along, I came across the following vines, shrubs, and trees:

 

Ailanthus altissima, Tree of Heaven still has seed clusters.

tree of heaven

 

 

Reynoutria japonica, Japanese Knotweed was still visible in clusters above ground.

knotweed

 

 

Celastrus orbiculatus, Oriental Bittersweet still had a large amount of seed.

bittersweet

 

 

Rosa multiflora, Multiflora Rose had rose hips present.

rose hips

 

 

Ligustrum vulgare, wild privet showed some green leaves and purple fruit.

privet

 

 

Lonicera japonica, Japanese Honeysuckle was still very green.

honeysuckle

 

 

Alnus glutinosa, European Alder has formed a monospecific stand preventing other plant growth.

alnus

 

 

This can be harmful when trying to encourage other species to grow like this Betula nigra, River Birch to grow along this riverbank as the European Alder outcompetes the birch.

alder and birch

 

 

Phragmites australis, Common Reed will grow in any retention basin or ditch where water persists.

phragmites

 

 

Merry Invasive Christmas Eve from Northeast Ohio!

 

 

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