Appendix C Invasive Species Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie Final Environmental Impact Statement

Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie Final Environmental Impact Statement

APPENDIX C

Table 1: Non-native, invasive plant species at Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie that threaten restoration, management or health and safety

Scientific name Abundance at Midewin Comments Common Name Acer platanoides Present (planted) around Invades mesic woodlands and forests; Norway Maple former house sites and potential to change structure and abandoned buildings. increase understory shade during Seedlings and saplings from growing season. these plantings are present at two localities on MNTP. Agropyron (Elytrigia) repens Locally common, especially Invasive and competitive into seed Quack Grass on poorer soils. production beds. Not a problem in pastures or other grasslands, but has invasive potential in dolomite prairies Agrostis alba Common, especially on Currently planted on site to expand Redtop moister soils. grassland bird habitat and renovate pastures. May be invasive in prairie remnants and restoration, but can be controlled through prescribed burns. Ailanthus altissima Occasional; small stands at May be invasive in dry dolomite prairie. Tree-of-Heaven abandoned house sites. Alliaria petiolata Locally abundant in native Competes with native herbaceous Garlic Mustard forests and woodlands along understory in native woodland, forest, Prairie and Jackson creeks; and savanna communities. Excludes or also in successional thickets outcompetes most native understory along these streams and herbs. Grant Creek. Allium vineale Present only in dolomite Appears to be invading and spreading Field Garlic prairie at NW boundary of in dolomite prairie. MNTP. Arctium minus Locally common throughout Large persistent herb that effectively Common Burdock MNTP, especially in shaded shades out any competition. Difficult to ground in pastures or at eradicate and replace with desirable abandoned house sites. species. Asparagus officinalis Present in prairie remnants, Very persistent, may become common Wild Asparagus roadsides, and other in some prairie remnants despite grasslands. management with fire. Berberis thunbergii Uncommon in forests, Bird-dispersed shrub now increasing in Japanese Barberry woodlands, and thickets. northern Illinois forests and woodlands. Bromus inermis Nearly ubiquitous in Import cover in grassland bird habitat. Smooth (Hungarian) Brome grasslands throughout MNTP. May be difficult to control in native Grass restoration. Bromus spp. Locally common; includes B. Appears to occupy microhabitats and Winter-annual Brome Grasses tectorum, Cheatgrass, and displace native annuals and biennials in other species (B. japonicus, dolomite prairie. B. racemosus).

Appendix C C-1 Invasive Species Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie Final Environmental Impact Statement

Scientific name Abundance at Midewin Comments Common Name Carduus acanthoides Very local in disturbed soil; May be aggressive in early stages of Plumeless Thistle uncommon but fairly prairie restoration; large stands reduce widespread in pastures and suitability of grassland habitats for other grasslands on MNTP. certain bird species. Carduus nutans Uncommon but scattered in Illinois Noxious Weed. A potential pest Musk Thistle, Nodding Thistle pastures, grasslands, in pastures and grasslands. abandoned fields, and early stages of prairie restoration. Catalpa speciosa Not native in Will County Not a severe problem, but will need to Northern Catalpa (native from east Central be removed as fragmentation of Illinois south). Planted trees grassland bird habitat is reduced. persist at abandoned house sites, and produce seedlings. Centaurea maculosa Locally common on dry soils, Invader of dry prairie habitats and Spotted Knapweed especially along abandoned pastures; also invades dolomite prairie railroad lines and roadsides, on adjacent state land and has but also in some pastures.. displaced native vegetation. Cirsium arvense Common in roadsides, Serious problem in seed production Canada Thistle, Field Thistle pastures, grasslands, beds and fields. Aggressive in early wetlands, and degraded stages of prairie and grassland prairie habitats (including restoration. Increasing in native some dolomite prairie). May wetland habitats. be increasing on site. Cirsium vulgare Locally common in pastures. Unsightly when present in seed Bull thistle production beds, pastures, or early stages of prairie restoration. Cornus drummondii Planted on site for wildlife Potential invader of prairie habitats. Rough-leaved Dogwood benefits; MNTP is probably just beyond the NE margin of the natural range. Coronilla varia Locally common on MNTP, Invades prairie communities in Illinois; Crownvetch primarily in roadsides. serious problem in dolomite prairie and other dry and mesic prairie habitats. Cotoneaster multiflora Rare escape in NE Illinois; at Potential invader of grasslands, forests, Many-flowered Cotoneaster one site on MNTP. and woodlands. Dipsacus lacinatus Locally common at a few A rapidly increasing and spreading plant Cut-leaved Teasel localities on MNTP, mostly in throughout the Midwest. Invades roadsides. grassland and native prairie habitats, often forming dense, monotypic stands. Dipsacus sylvestris Common in grasslands, Perhaps not as serious a pest as D. Common Teasel prairie remnants, wetlands, laciniatus, but does form dense stands and roadsides at MNTP. under certain conditions. Echinops sphaerocephalus Present at one locality on Elsewhere in Will County has been Blue Globe Thistle MNTP; immediately adjacent found (large numbers) in roadsides, to one of the few mesic grasslands, and prairie remnants. prairie remnants on site. Elaeagnus umbellata Common, often abundant in Aggressive invader of grasslands and Autumn-olive roadsides, prairie remnants, prairie remnants; threatens grassland and other grasslands. bird habitat on MNTP. Eriochloa villosa Locally abundant in May become a problem in early stages Chinese Cup-grass abandoned crop fields. of prairie/wetland restoration.

C-2 Appendix C Invasive Species Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie Final Environmental Impact Statement

Scientific name Abundance at Midewin Comments Common Name Euonymus alatus A few plants persist at one High potential to invade mesic Winged Euonymus, “Burning- abandoned house site. savannas, woodlands, and forests, bush” Common ornamental shrub in displacing native shrubs and Will County, so likely to herbaceous understory species. appear elsewhere on site. Euphorbia esula Present at two localities This species is a major invader of Leafy Spurge at Midewin. pastures, grasslands, hayfields, and native prairie in the north-central USA. Festuca arundinacea, F. Locally common on MNTP. Important pasture grass, but can be pratensis invasive in some prairie habitats. Tall Fescue, Meadow Fescue Glechoma hederacea Locally common in shaded Probably not a serious threat to native Ground-ivy areas. both in native forests woodland flora, at least compared with and disturbed woodlands. garlic mustard.. Hemerocallis fulva Locally common near May persist and spread vegetatively in Orange Daylily abandoned housesites. prairie remnants and restorations. Hypericum perforatum Locally common in roadsides Potentially poisonous to livestock; does European St. John’s-wort and grasslands, also in invade seed production beds. Invades dolomite prairie. dolomite prairie, including microhabitat occupied by Dalea foliosa (Federal Endangered). Leonurus cardiaca Locally common in shaded Potential problem in woodlands. Motherwort ground, especially in pastures. Leonurus marrubiastrum Locally common in regions of May become a problem in dolomite Lion’s-tail MNTP where dolomite is at or prairie habitats. near the surface. Ligustrum vulgare Locally common in thickets. May be a problem in woodlands or Common Privet grasslands, although not as serious as Lonicera spp. Lonicera x bella Present in roadsides, thickets Invades forests, woodlands, savanna, Showy Honeysuckle and old fields, but not as and grasslands. common as L. maackii. Lonicera maackii Locally abundant in Serious threat to all natural vegetation Amur Honeysuckle woodlands and forests; and restoration. Can survive in dense invades open land. Large shade, and often changes vegetation plantings done before FS structure and recruitment patterns presence still present on site. among forest species. Lonicera x muendeniensis Present, but rare. Invades forests, woodlands, savanna, Muenden Honeysuckle and grasslands. Lonicera tatarica Present in roadsides, prairie Invades forests, woodlands, savanna, Tartarian Honeysuckle remnants, thickets, and grasslands, including dolomite woodlands, and old fields, but prairie.. not as common as L. maackii. Lotus corniculata Locally common in roadsides May become a problem in dry prairie Bird’s-foot Trefoil and pastures. and dolomite prairie habitats. Lysmachia nummularia Locally common in moist May persist in seeps and fens. Moneywort soils. Lythrum salicaria Very rare on MNTP. Serious invader of wetlands (including Purple Loosestrife wet prairie) throughout the Midwest.

Appendix C C-3 Invasive Species Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie Final Environmental Impact Statement

Scientific name Abundance at Midewin Comments Common Name Maclura pomifera Originally planted as living Invades open grasslands. Management Osage-orange fence; now widespread in complicated because of use by RFSS grasslands, pastures, and (loggerhead shrike) floodplain forests. Malus prunifolia Planted as ornamental; Potential invader of grasslands and Plum-leaved Crab Apple occasional escape on MNTP. woodlands. Malus pumila Scattered orchard trees and Not a serious invader, but may need Domestic Apple their offspring present removal from grassland bird habitat and throughout site. prairie remnants. Malus sieboldii Planted as ornamental; Potential invader of grasslands and Japanese Crab Apple occasional escape on MNTP. woodlands. Melilotus alba Common throughout site in Can be a serious problem in prairie White Sweet Clover roadsides, old fields, prairie remnants and restorations. remnants, and on abandoned railroad beds. Melilotus officinalis Locally common throughout Can be a serious problem in prairie Yellow sweet Clover site in roadsides, old fields, remnants and restorations; perhaps a prairie remnants, and on threat to dolomite prairie habitats. abandoned railroad beds. Morus alba Common in woodlands, Fast-growing, prolific tree that invades White Mulberry thickets, floodplains, native vegetation. fencerows, and grasslands. Pastinaca sativa Locally common in Does invade prairie remnants and Wild Parnsip grasslands, roadsides, and restorations; poses a minor health prairie remnants. hazard (dermatitis) to public, staff, and volunteers. Phalaris arundinacea Locally abundant in moist Serious invader of natural wetlands, Reed Canary Grass grasslands, wetlands, and displacing native flora. Actively along ditches. invading wet dolomite prairies on site. Phragmites australis Locally common in wetlands. Invades native wetlands, including Common Reed Although some Midwestern marshes, wet prairies, dolomite prairies, populations appear native, and sedge meadows, replacing native most appear to be non-native flora with monotypic stands. strains (as on MNTP). Poa compressa Locally common in dry Has invaded dry and mesic dolomite Canada Bluegrass pastures, grasslands, and prairie habitats on site; appears to have prairie remnants. replaced many native species. Poa pratensis Common in grasslands, Local problem in some prairie Kentucky Bluegrass pastures, old fields, remnants. However, important roadsides, and prairie component of pasture habitats for remnants. certain grassland birds. Populus alba Persists at abandoned house May persist and spread into prairie White Poplar sites, where it forms large remnants and restorations. thickets. Rhamnus cathartica Uncommon and relatively on Already present in dolomite prairies and European Buckthorn MNTP, but increasing; locally woodlands on site; likely to invade other abundant elsewhere in Will vegetation. County.

C-4 Appendix C Invasive Species Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie Final Environmental Impact Statement

Scientific name Abundance at Midewin Comments Common Name Robinia pseudoacacia A few planted stands present Can be persistent and difficult to Black Locust on MNTP; some clonal eradicate from native vegetation spread. Native to eastern (upland prairie and woodlands). North America, but not in northern or central Illinois. Rosa eglanteria (rubigonosa) Uncommon in pastures. Probably not a serious problem; Sweetbrier Rose appears to be controlled by browsing (deer and livestock) Rosa multiflora Common in pastures, Not declining, despite presence of rose Multiflora Rose grassland, and old fields. rosette disease. Increasing in some grasslands, reducing suitability for certain grassland birds. Salix alba Occasional along streams Not a serious management problem, White Willow and drainage ditches. but may need removal from riparian wetlands. Saponaria officinalis Locally common in roadsides May be a local problem in dry prairie Bouncing-bet and grasslands. restorations. Setaria faberi Locally abundant in disturbed Not a serious problem, except for seed Giant Foxtail soils. Often abundant in early production beds. stages of prairie and grassland restorations. Solanum dulcamara Local in moist thickets. Not a serious problem at MNTP, but Bittersweet Nightshade elsewhere does invade fens. Sonchus arvensis Locally common. Illinois Noxious Weed. Not a problem in Perennial Sow-thistle prairie restoration, but control required in seed beds and pastures. Sorghum halapense Local in row crop fields. Illinois Noxious Weed. Probably will not Johnson Grass be problem in prairie restoration, but may require control in row crop fields until conversion by habitat restoration. Ulmus pumila Spreading from plantings at Invades upland grasslands and prairies. Siberian Elm abandoned house sites. Verbascum thapsus Locally common in roadsides, May be a problem in dry prairie Common Mullein pastures, eroding banks, and restoration and dolomite prairie dolomite prairies. remnants. Viburnum opulus Occasional on MNTP, in Potential invader of woodlands and European Highbush-Cranberry thickets. wetlands. Vinca minor At MNTP, persists at a few May spread into adjacent woodlands Periwinkle abandoned house sites and and forests, where it can displace native cemeteries. herbaceous flora.

Appendix C C-5 Invasive Species Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie Final Environmental Impact Statement

Table 2: Some native, invasive plant species at Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie that threaten restoration and management of specific habitats or health and safety

Scientific name Abundance at Midewin Comments Common Name Acer negundo Locally common at Control required to reduce Box Elder abandoned house sites, in fragmentation of grassland fencerows, thickets, and habitats. riparian areas. Acer saccharum Mesic forests and Increasing in forests and Sugar Maple woodlands; also planted woodlands following fire specimens near buildings suppression. and at abandoned house sites. Acer saccharinum Along streams and Removal of dense, monotypic Silver Maple persisting at abandoned stands required to restore many house sites. Also in former open wetlands that were depressions on uplands sedge meadows, wet prairies, and and outwash plain. marshes. Ambrosia spp. Common throughout. May need control in high public use Ragweeds areas and seed production beds because of potential health problems (allergies). Andropogon gerardii Scattered throughout site, May need to be controlled in early Big Bluestem but only common in mesic stages of prairie restoration. prairie remnants. Aster pilosus Common throughout. May be a pest in seed production Hairy Aster beds. Celtis occidentalis Locally common at Some reduction required to reduce Eastern Hackberry abandoned house sites, in fragmentation of grassland habitats fencerows, thickets, and and in the process of restoring riparian areas. Native in open structure to woodlands and bottomland forests, savannas. woodlands, and savannas. Conyza canadensis Common in disturbed soils. Often abundant in early stages of Horseweed prairie restoration, but a pest in seed production beds. Cornus racemosa Occasional on well-drained Can be an aggressive and Gray Dogwood soils of grasslands, persistent invader of native prairie roadsides, and prairie remnants. remnants; also in open woodlands. Crataegus spp. Often abundant in Control and/or removal required to Hawthorns pastures, fencerows, and reduce fragmentation of grassland forests. bird habitat and restore structure to prairie, woodland, and savanna remnants. Cuscuta spp. Occasional throughout. Potential pest in seed production Dodders beds. Desmanthus illinoiensis Local and uncommon on May need to be controlled in early Illinois Sensitive Plant outwash plain prairie stages of prairie restoration. remnants.

C-6 Appendix C Invasive Species Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie Final Environmental Impact Statement

Scientific name Abundance at Midewin Comments Common Name Elymus canadensis Scattered throughout site, May need to be controlled in early Canada Wild Rye but only common in mesic stages of prairie restoration. prairie remnants. Eupatorium serotinum Common. May need to be controlled in early Late Boneset stages of prairie and wetland restoration; also pest in seed production beds.

Fraxinus pensylvanica Common, sometimes Forms dense, often monotypic Green Ash locally abundant in stands in savanna, moist prairie, bottomland thickets and and wetland remnants; removal woodlands; also in moist required to restore structure and old fields and prairie hydrology. remnants. Gleditsia triacanthos Sometimes common in Reduction necessary to reduce Honey Locust pastures and fencerows; fragmentation of grassland bird native in bottomland forests habitat and restore structure to and woodlands. native vegetation remnants. Helianthus spp. Some species locally May need to be controlled in early Perennial sunflowers common on site in stages of prairie restoration. roadsides and prairie remnants. Juglans nigra Local at former housesites, Some reduction required to reduce Black Walnut fencerows and riparian fragmentation of grassland habitats areas. Native in and in the process of restoring bottomland forests, open structure to woodlands and woodlands, and savannas. savannas. Juniperus virginiana Occasional in old fields and Easily controlled. Red Cedar roadsides; probably not native on MNTP. Panicum virgatum Scattered throughout site, May need to be controlled in early Switch Grass but only common in mesic stages of prairie restoration. Non- prairie remnants. Some local strains should be eradicated. roadside populations may be derived from non-local strains. Populus deltoides Locally common in upland May need to be controlled in early Eastern Cottonwood depressions and riparian stages of wetland restoration. areas. Native in Some removal required to restore bottomland forests, wetland and riparian habitats. woodlands, and savannas. Populus tremuloides Rare and local on MNTP, May need to be controlled in early Quaking Aspen but can be an aggressive stages of prairie and wetland invader of native prairies restoration. and wetlands in Will and adjacent counties. Prunus americana Locally common in Some control required to reduce Wild Plum fencerows, thickets, and fragmentation of grassland habitats edges. and in the process of restoring open structure to woodlands and savannas.

Appendix C C-7 Invasive Species Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie Final Environmental Impact Statement

Scientific name Abundance at Midewin Comments Common Name Prunus serotina Locally common at Some reduction necessary to Black Cherry abandoned housesites, in reduce fragmentation of grassland fencerows, thickets, and habitats and in the process of riparian areas. Native in restoring open structure to forests and woodlands. woodlands and savannas. Rhus spp. Occasional on well-drained Can be an aggressive and Sumac soils of grasslands, persistent invader of native prairie roadsides, and prairie remnants. remnants. Ribes missouriense Often locally abundant in Some reduction is necessary to Missouri Gooseberry native forests, thickets, and restore structure to the understory closed-in savannas. strata of forests, woodlands, and savannas. Rubus spp. Often locally common in Some reduction may be necessary Wild blackberries and old fields, native forests, to restore structure to the raspberries thickets, closed-in understory strata of forests, savannas, and prairie woodlands, and savannas. remnants. Salix interior Forms dense strands in Control required to restore wet Sandbar Willow and along drainage prairie, sedge meadow, and marsh ditches, riparian areas, wet remnants. prairies, and other open wetlands. Salix spp. Locally common in upland May need to be controlled in early Tree Willows depressions, and riparian stages of wetland restoration. areas. Some removal required to restore wetland and riparian habitats. Solidago canadensis Common, often locally Control may be necessary in early Tall Goldenrod abundant in old fields, stages of prairie and grassland roadsides, pastures, prairie restoration. remnants, and other grasslands. Sorghastrum nutans Scattered throughout site, May need to be controlled in early Indian Grass but only common in mesic stages of prairie restoration. prairie remnants. Symphoricarpos orbiculatus Scattered on MNTP, mostly Control may be required in dolomite Coralberry in brushy pastures, but also prairie. in prairie remnants. Toxicodendron radicans Locally common in Control may be required in high Poison Ivy fencerows and woodlands. public use areas. Typha spp. Locally common in May need to be controlled in early Cattails drainage ditches, wet stages of wetland restoration. depressions, and marshes. Ulmus americana Locally common at Some removal required to reduce (American Elm) abandoned house sites, in fragmentation of grassland habitats fencerows, thickets, and and in the process of restoring riparian areas. Native in open structure to woodlands and bottomland forests and savannas. woodlands.

C-8 Appendix C Invasive Species Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie Final Environmental Impact Statement

Table 3: Non-native, invasive plant species at likely to appear on Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie in the next 5-20 years

Scientific name Distribution Comments Common Name Alnus glutinosa Planted and naturalized Spreads in riparian areas, forming European Black Alder stands present in southern dense stands. Will County, including private land adjacent to MNTP. Celastrus orbiculatus Not present on MNTP, but Invasive climbing vine, often strangles Asiatic Bittersweet occurs in Will County and or shades out native trees and shrubs. likely to appear in future. Dioscorea oppositifolia Present in southern Illinois; Forms dense tangles over herbaceous Chinese Yam rapidly expanding throughout and shrubby vegetation. Ohio River Valley. Euonymus fortunei Local escape from cultivation Invades mesic forests, forming dense Purpleleaf Wintercreeper in Will County. stands; displaces native woodland wildflowers. Euonymus europaeus Local escape from cultivation. Invades forest understory; dispersed by European Spindle-tree birds. Euonymus hamiltonius Local escape from cultivation, Invades savanna, forest, and woodland Asiatic Spindle-tree increasing in NE Illinois understory; dispersed by birds. Heracleum mantegazzianum Spreading rapidly in Potential invader of woodlands, Giant Hogweed northeastern USA; has savannas, seeps, & prairies; causes reached Ohio. extreme dermititus & poisoning. Hesperis matronalis Present on land immediately Potential invader of forest, woodland, Dame’s Rocket adjacent to MNTP. and savanna habitats. Lespedeza cuneata Not on MNTP, but one Aggressive invader in prairies, glades, Sericea Lespedeza planted stand present on and warm-season pastures south of adjacent Army land. northern Illinois. Lonicera japonica Present in Will County; much Aggressive invader of native vegetation. Japanese Honeysuckle more common further south. Microstegium vimineum Locally abundant in Ohio Becomes abundant in riparian and Nepalese Stilt-grass River Valley; still actively bottomland habitats; spreads along spreading northwards. streams, roads, and trails, Miscanthus sacchariflorus Scattered in Will county and Strongly rhizomatous grass, but not yet Eulalia Northern Illinois. a problem in prairies or other habitats. Myriophyllum spicatum Locally common and Potential habitat on MNTP; limited; may Eurasian Water-milfoil increasing in northern Illinois. colonize some streams or marshes. Polygonum perfoliatum Restricted to northerneastern A vine that smother under-lying Mile-a-minute USA, but rapidly expanding. vegetation. Polygonum cuspidatum Present along streams in Potential invader of riparian habitats. Japanese Knotweed northern Will County; likely to spread down watersheds onto MNTP. Prunus padus Ornamental tree, escaping in Invades forest understory. European Bird Cherry Will County. Rhamnus frangula Occurs in Will County, In NE Illinois, this species is an Glossy Buckthorn including many localities aggressive invader of bogs, fens, sedge around MNTP; likely to meadows, and wet prairies. appear within 5-10 years (as of 1999).

Appendix C C-9 Invasive Species Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie Final Environmental Impact Statement

Scientific name Distribution Comments Common Name Viburnum lanata Ornamental shrub, escaping Potential invader of woodlands and Wayfaring-tree in Will County. savannas. Viburnum recognitum Not yet verified on MNTP, but Potential invader of savannas, Smooth Arrow-wood spreading in NE Illinois. woodlands, forests, and upland prairies. Native south and east of the prairie regions of Illinois and Indiana.

C-10 Appendix C Invasive Species