Little River CanyonNational Preserve

Invasive Plants

What is an invasive plant?

Invasive plants are nonnative plants that grow in an environment that has

no native diseases, parasites, or predators.

This allows them to grow rapidly and be destructive to native plants.

How did they get here?

These exotic plants were introduced into this country by early explorers

and settlers.

Most were brought here as ornamentals or for livestock forage.

Today many people still use exotic plants in lawns for their beauty.

• Highly invasive plants can be very destructive to the natural environment.

• Because of the lack of natural controls (diseases, predators, etc…), these plants have an advantage over native species and can easily take over their habitat.

This Japanese Stilt Grass has almost completely taken over under this canopy. It is a ground cover that is of little value as food for wildlife and was first found in the U.S. around 1919.

Three Examples of Invasive Plants at Little River Canyon National Preserve

• Silktree, Mimosa

• Princesstree, Paulownia

• Chinese/European Privet

Silktree, Mimosa

A traditional ornamental

introduced from

Asia in 1745.

In Bloom

Princesstree, Paulownia

An ornamental that was

introduced in the early

1800s from Asia.

Has pale-violet flowers before leaves in early spring.

Very Young Tree

Has broad velvety leaves.

Chinese/European Privet

Ornamentals that were introduced from

China and Europe in the early to mid-1800s.

Often used as decorative border shrubs.

How to Control Invasive Plants

• First avoid buying and planting exotic nonnative plants

• Herbicides (Be careful and follow instructions)

• Hand Pulling- be sure to remove all parts of the plant from the soil.

Just a Reminder

• Some plants are poisonous!

• Some plants can cause an allergic reaction!