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APANESE -ONEYYSUC[ZILE (Lonicera japonica) Japanese honeysuckle is a semi- vine and holds its late into winter . Exotic have certain character- Its ovate leaves are 1 .5 to 3 inches long, and istics in common . They tend to grow stems are rusty to light brown . In May and aggressively, crowding out native June, the is covered with white to yel- low tubular, fragrant that occur in species, and they tend to be hardy and pairs in the axils, and which later form able to colonize disturbed sites easily. attractive that are eaten and spread In too many instances, these by birds . have been deliberately introduced for This species, as well as some other non- some supposed beneficial use to man- native honeysuckles, has escaped cultiva- kind (forage, soil erosion control, wild- tion and is continuing to spread in our life cover, etc .) Unfortunately, some of woodlands throughout the state . Japanese these species are still being recom- honeysuckle is classified as an exotic weed, mended by' government agencies for and its commercial sale in the state is pro- planting by landowners, even after their hibited. Gardeners should select only invasive nature is well-known . species of honeysuckles which are non-in- vasive when planting these vines or The Illinois Audubon Society and the Kudzu was first planted in southern states which are attractive to the ruby-throated r . In a few years, it was Illinois Native Plant Society have to stop soil erosion hummingbird and adult sphinx , as known as the "vine which ate the South!" jointly produced this educational well as caterpillars of the clearwing sphinx The leguminous vine grows rapidly, root- brochure in an effort to enlighten land- . Contact the Illinois Native Plant ing at each leaf nodule and quickly blan- Society or the Illinois Audubon Society for owners in Illinois as to the identifica- keting everything in its path-utility more information on species which are tion of some of the most invasive poles, , roadside ditches, pastures, non-invasive . non-native plants, in an attempt to curb fields, and buildings . It is best identified their further spread across the state . when in bloom, as its pea-like purple Japanese honeysuckle can be controlled in flowers are colorful and also smell like several ral ways . On small patches, hand pull- grapes . Kudzu may be confused with ing or cutting of the vines may suffice . But I J other vines, such as wild grape or some of the trailing legumes, such as round- ONTROLLING leaved tick trefoil . However, it can be dis- C tinguished from these by the densely INVASIVE hairy, golden young stems . AUTUMN OLIVE i Unfortunately, Kudzu can survive cold ( umbellata Thunb.) weather. In Illinois, it has been found growing and reproducing as far north as Autumn olive is a medium to large , Quad Cities, Peoria and Chicago . State often growing to 20 feet in. height. It is agencies are now actively treating all colo- characterized by oval-shaped, alternate nies of kudzu reported in Illinois in an leaves which are dark green to grayish effort to keep it from spreading . Contin- green on the upper surface, and light and ued treatment is absolutely necessary to scaly on the underside . These silvery kill this persistent vine . If you see it, re- scaled leaves are easy to detect from a dis- port it to the biologists at your regional tance . Small yellow, cloyingly fragrant Both I .A .S . and I.N .PS . support the con- I .D .N .R. office . flowers bloom in early spring, followed trol of exotic species, and also advocate by small, fleshy fruits borne along the stem which range from pink to red in mechanical or non-chemical control color. where possible . However, it is recog- nized that large, well-established stands This shrub was once touted by the of exotic plants must sometimes be U .S .D.A . as good for providing wildlife food and cover. Birds do feed extensively . In such situa- treated with herbicides on its berries. But, like most alien spe- tions, chemicals must be judiciously cies, the plant is very invasive and con- applied, according to recommended tinues to spread unchecked throughout guidelines,yby licensed applicators . the state . In so doing, it has disrupted The Illinois Nature Preserves Commis- the natural succession of native plants in those areas . Despite its reputation, this sion is continuing to develop a series shrub does not provide the best nesting of Vegetation Management Guidelines cover for wildlife . to address the control of exotic and The entire shrub must be removed to . It is in natural areas keep it from resprouting. Aside from dig- recommended that landowners also ging out the shrubs, the most effective follow these guidelines, which include method of control is cutting and treating very specific information regarding the stumps immediately with herbicide practices which are most effective for (which should be done with great care .) each species .

~iutiuvjd you putt `aAisrAuI Aj1i pua) OT~' ---I E (f -od a.zi swi jd q nq & 2utuii j Aq dpq n" I P osju uva s.zauaparr sataua2i .zadoad auk o1 s1u1jd aAtltu-uou •j o suoIP sajui ijod u of pur aziu5oaa .z o-1 5uiu.zraj Aq 1 ap u on larger areas, prescribed burning or 1 q s!qI ui Isissi uMa uaztlta AJ Ad j udicious use of herbicide may be more northern 2/3 of the state, garlic mustard jo.z1uoa .zapun sataads ai,oxa asarli daal oductive in controlling this invasive has already taken over parks, nature pre- o11 s.zaumoputJ jo dpq RI1 paau '(2q1 ant. With great effort, some kind of serves, and other natural habitats . With- pup Nprq 2uuq i•I air s1s!2oloiq `MOM control of this exotic vine may be achieved . out a massive effort to stop its spread, spurj1aen pur `sa!J!I zd `sruurnrs `spur] Eradicating it will probably be impossible . many of our favorite spring wildflowers -pooh 2utpnjaui `sadraspurj p .zniru will disappear. Current control mea- 01 a1SInn 2u!ArI pup S1)Mo[jpjtnn sures include hand pulling, controlled )A111311 .zno •jo burning, and selective use of an herbi- Aurui Jno 2utpM0fl AjaAtssaj22r cide which can be applied in early spring `s1sad auzoaaq Ahlainb anrq 1I IqM .zrad before wildflowers are blooming . Work -dr slurjd mau uaas anal any `sapraap is continuing on a biological agent to II.zanas IsEj a41 2ut .znU i auzoajam thwart this smelly alien, but it is several air uiaq Jo jIr you pur-s .zapmoq .zno of years away Be on the lookout for garlic sapads mau 2uIiq o1 suzaas 1 A uarj mustard in your own yard and in fa- vorite parks and preserves . If it is caught early, small patches are more easily con- trolled without having to resort to her- bicides . However, will form on hand-pulled plants in bloom, so the plants should be removed from the site . If not, the seeds will sprout and make the problem worse! SIONIZ7][ NI SY.NV"llJ ARLIC YUSTARD N3IIV -4O N0flSVAN][ 3HJL (Alliaria officinalis)

This noxious plant spreads through wood- lands and primarily shaded urban areas by seeds . While generally a biennial, garlic mustard may also bloom as an annual . The broad heart; shaped, toothed leaves tend OW TO to stay green through fall and winter, mak- ing the plant easy to identify in these sea- AGAINST INVASIVE SPECIES : sons . It varies from a few inches to nearly 1 4 feet in height . Use native species in your garden and . Small white 4-petaled landscaping flowers bloom in spring . Remember, native species are . When a leaf is well-adapted for life in Illinois and will not crushed or the stem of the plant broken, a require the additional care of many non-na- strong onion-like smell is evident . In the tive plants . 2 . Keep an eye out for invasive species on your property and in your neighborhood. Act to eliminate them before they become a prob- lem. 3 . Help spread the word by telling friends and neighbors about the problems caused by IPURlP1LE Il,OOSIESTRI FlE non-native plants, especially the threat they (Lythrum salicaria) pose to our favorite native wildflowers . 4 . Volunteer to help when local parks and Purple loosestrife is a perennial which is preserves need workers to help eliminate in- closely related to other Lythrums often vasive plants. grown in gardens. It has overtaken many This brochure was funded by I.N.PS. and .AI .S. wetlands, particularly in northern Illinois . with assistance of a grant from the Wildlife Pres- It grows in dense stands and the bright ervation Fund (I.D.N.R.) and a gift:from Spring- magenta color of its flowered is field Audubon Society. Artwork by Gary L. Wilford eyecatching, making it easy to spot . In and Patti Reilly. Published in June, 2003 . the last few years, scientists have begun a biological control program utilizing beetles Illinois Audubon Society that is showing some promise for the even- PO . Box 2418 tual control of this aggressive exotic . Danville, IL 61834 Meanwhile, gardeners should be abso- www.illinoisaudubon .org lutely certain that they are not introduc- ing this species in new areas . It is best to Illinois Native Plant Society choose some other colorful and native Forest Glen Preserve plants, rather than Lythrums, to avoid this 20301 E 900 North Rd . problem. Westville, IL 61883 www.ill-inps.org MORE INVASIVE PLANTS : EURASIAN Teasel (Dipsacus sylvestris) WATER-MILFOIL Dame's rocket (Hesperis matronalis) (Myriophyllum spicatum) White Sweet Clover (Melilotus alba) Yellow Sweet Clover (Melilotus officinalis) Eurasian water-milfoil is a rooted, sub- Star-of-Bethlehem (Ornithogalum umbellatum) mersed plant with long branching stems Purple wintercreeper (Euonymus fortunei) and whorled, feather-like leaves . Spikes Creeping Charlie (Glechoma hederacea) of small, reddish flowers are held above Japanese hops (Humulus japonicus) the water. Periwinkle (Vinca minor) (Lespedeza bicolor) s This plant can be confused with a num- Bicolor lespedeza ber of other submerged plants, includ- Winged burning bush (Euonymus alatus) ing other species of water-milfoil and Common privet (Ligustrum vulgare) native coontail. It is already widespread Eur. Highbush cranberry (Viburnum opulus) in the U .S . and Canada, and is readily Japanese knotweed (Polygonum cuspidatum) transported' from one body of water to Smooth brome (Bromus inermis) another by boats, trailers, and personal water craft. HERE TO LEARN MORE Eurasian water-milfoil is cold hardy, and can tolerate a wide variety of water qual- EED CANARY GRASS ABOUT 7XOTIC SPECIES : ity conditions, allowing it to spread more easily into new areas. It grows quickly (Phalaris arundinacea) Illinois Exotic Weed Control Act to form dense infestations which not INPC Vegetative Management Guidelines only shade out native aquatic plants, but This grass, which grows to 6 feet in Visit these websites: also affect birds and fish by changing the height, is a particular problem in aquatic habitat . Large decaying mats of The Nature Conservancy - marshes, sedge meadows, and other wet- http ://nature .org/initiatives/invasiv e species/ the plant can reduce oxygen levels, af- lands throughout the state . Growth is fecting other aquatic life . INPS - Vegetative Management Guidelines - highly variable, and the Eurasian species http ://www.inhs .uiuc .edu/chf/outreach/ Various control measures have been is difficult, if not impossible, to distin- VMG/VMG .html tried, including the manipulation of wa- guish from closely-related native species . Illinois Native Plant Society - ter levels, and/the introduction of both The species spreads by creeping rhi- www.ill-inps .org insects and' fish as biological control zomes . Dense clusters of flowers are pro- agents . Individuals can help prevent the duced from May through August . The spread of this plant by washing boats and flowering heads are green, then purple, other watercraft before leaving the boat and finally tan in color . The seeds are ramp. shiny brown, and can germinate without a period of dormancy, allowing more rapid spread of the plant . In some selected northeastern Illinois ESCUE wetlands, eradication programs have al- lowed wild orchids and other native spe- (F,estuca pratensis) cies to reappear once the grass is removed . This tall, coarse grass has short, creeping Fire can be used to suppress the spread rootstocks and grows in heavy clumps . of reed canary grass, especially in areas The stems may be 2 to 5 feet in height, where there is still an abundance of na- and often form very dense, solid stands. tive species . However, it is not very ef- Flowers occur in flat, oval spikelets with fective in dense monocultures . Herbi- 6 to 12 individual flowers in each. Leaves cides which are licensed for use in aquatic are 4 to 5 inches long, and rough on the areas may also be used to control reed upper surface and smooth beneath. canary grass. For more information, con- COMMON UCKTHORN tact your regional I .D .N.R. office . This hardy, perennial grass was intro- (Rhamnus cathartica) duced from Europe and is commonly sown for pasture and hay because it can In the northern 1/3 of the state, this Eu- withstand grazing and trampling by ropean species forms thickets which are 1 almost impenetrable cattle. It is also used extensively on grass . It can be recog- waterways and stream banks for erosion nized by its fine-toothed, opposite leaves and dark, berry-like fruits control. . The twigs end in sharp spines . The inner bark of While it is slow to become established, twigs is yellow. Common buckthorn is once the heavy clumps of grass form, fes- spread by birds, which feed on the fruits . cue can be extremely difficult to eradi- Unfortunately, it was planted in the cate . It is primarily a problem when it 1950's along many roadsides in the state . invades natural communities, such as glades or prairies . In such habitats, it Restoration efforts are underway in many quickly changes the species composition areas where this shrub has taken over, so that our native plants have a chance and displaces many native plants . to recover. Prescribed burning' can be used to help Control measures include digging out the control fescue, especially in areas of light entire shrub, or cutting and treating with infestation . herbicide . The cleared areas then usu- In prairie areas, selective herbicides may ally must be immediately reseeded with need to be used in conjunction with native plants . Efforts must be made to burning to eliminate this grass . keep this species from spreading further southward in Illinois .

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CROWN VETCH ROUND-LEAVED (Coronilla varia) lBIlTERSWEET (Celastrus orbiculatus) Crown vetch is a low-growing, bushy plant which was originally introduced by Round-leaved, Oriental, or Chinese the U.S . Department of Agriculture for bittersweet, is a vine which is often sold erosion control on slopes . Over the through nurseries and garden centers years, it has been widely planted . A na- because of its orange fruits, which are tive of Europe, crown vetch readily es- attractive to birds . It is and capes from such plantings and spreads hardy, and readily twines on fences and to new areas. arbors . Unfortunately, it also "reaches out" to climb nearby trees and shrubs . This member of the legume (pea and bean) family has very attractive blossoms As one of its names implies, it has which range in color from white through rounded leaves, which occur alternately dark pink. Like many other legumes, it on the twigs. In comparison, the leaves has three-parted leaflets . of the native climbing bittersweet (Celastrus scandens) tend to be more el- The plant likes full sun, and. it is often liptical or ovate . The fruits of the round- seen along Highway rights-of-way, where leaved bittersweet are borne all along the .D . to form it was once planted by I .O .T stem in clusters of 1 to 3, and turn or- . In spite of an attractive roadside cover ange in September. The native bitter- its reputation as an erosion control agent, sweet has larger and more attractive clus- crown vetch does not, in fact,, do a good ters of fruits which are often gathered for job of checking soil erosion, and has been ANADA HISTLE decorative purposes . C taken off the seeding list for Illinois road- (Cirsium arvense) sides . When round-leaved bittersweet escapes from gardens, it can be very invasive . While still available at some nurseries, While there are several species of native Plants should be controlled by hand thistles, the Canada thistle is a serious this plant should not be introduced to weeding, being sure that the roots are also new areas! Crown vetch is extremely ag- invader in fields and pastures through- removed . Left unchecked, this plant will out the state, and is difficult to eradicate . gressive and will even overtake estab- eventually shade out shrubs and trees on lished tallgrass prairie communities. A small patch can soon turn into a large which it grows, and choking out trees by colony if left unchecked. Getting rid of large areas of crown vetch vining around their branches. is not easy, and requires repeated efforts This plant spreads by both underground to eliminate not only the plants, but the rhizomes and seeds. In nurseries, bank in the soil where they have Canada thistle is known to readily repro- 01- duce itself from broken rhizomes after a been growing . directions . It was introduced several field has been disked . years ago by the U.S .Department of Ag- riculture as good cover for wildlife and This robust plant grows to 5 feet in height promoted as a "living fence ." Unfortu- and the stem and leaves are covered with nately, it spread into pastures and wood- prickly spines . Numerous lavender lands with the help of birds, which find heads produce many seeds, and the fruits desirable . the plant also spreads from horizontal roots . Because the root grows several feet Multiflora rose blooms in late spring with deep, this plant is difficult to control by clusters of white flowers, which later pro- hand-pulling. duce small, red rose hips that may remain on the plant into winter. Landowners should take steps to keep this exotic from spreading by identify- Rose rosette disease is a virus that is af- ing new plants early and removing them fecting this plant, and has the potential before they have viable seeds, and by to eliminate most of the rose bushes eliminating older plants by continued which are densely packed. Fortunately, mowing. Even then, cuttings should be the disease usually does not affect our removed and burned because any cut native roses, such as Rosa carolina, but flowers will mature and produce seeds . may attack cultivated varieties . Mowing is usually only a temporary so- M ULTIFLORA ROSE However, multiflora rose continues to lution. If large areas are involved, herbi- (Rosa multiflora) spread into new areas and requires ag- cide use may be more practical. How- gressive control by mechanically remov- ever, it is usually necessary to re-treat Multiflora rose is a medium-height ing large plants and hand-treating smaller such sites several times and then reseed thorny shrub, which readily spreads in all infestations. them with desirable plants . 0