Invasive Plants and their Native Look-alikesan Identification Guide for the Mid-Atlantic

Matthew SarverAmanda TreherLenny WilsonRobert NacziFaith B. Kuehn

MistakenIdentity ?

Published by: Delaware Department Agriculture November 2008In collaboration with: Claude E. Phillips Herbarium at Delaware State University Delaware Center for Horticulture

Funded by: U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation ServiceCover Photos:

Front: Aralia elata leaf (Inset, l-r: Aralia elata habit; Aralia spinosa infloresence, Aralia elata stem)Back: Aralia spinosa habit

www.nrcs.usda.gov http://dda.delaware.gov www.dsu.edu www.dehort.org www.delawareinvasives.net

TABLE OF CONTENTS

About this Guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

Introduction

What Exactly is an Invasive Plant? ..................................................................................................................2What Impacts do Invasives Have? ..................................................................................................................2The Mid-Atlantic Invasive Flora......................................................................................................................3Identification of Invasives ..............................................................................................................................4You Can Make a Difference..............................................................................................................................5

Plant Profiles

TreesNorway Maple vs. Sugar Maple ....................................................................................................................6-7Japanese Angelica Tree vs. Devils Walkingstick ........................................................................................8-9White Mulberry vs. Red Mulberry ............................................................................................................10-11Tree-of-Heaven vs. Staghorn and Smooth Sumac....................................................................................12-13

ShrubsAsian Bush Honeysuckles vs. Native Bush Honeysuckles ........................................................................14-15Burning Bush and Wintercreeper vs. Native Euonymus ..........................................................................16-17Multiflora Rose vs. Native Roses ..............................................................................................................18-19Wineberry vs. Native Blackberries and Raspberries................................................................................20-21

VinesJapanese Honeysuckle vs. Native Twining Honeysuckles ......................................................................22-23Oriental Bittersweet vs. American Bittersweet ........................................................................................24-25Japanese Virgins Bower vs. Virgins Bower ............................................................................................26-27Porcelain-berry vs. Native Grapes............................................................................................................28-29

GrassesJapanese Stilt-grass vs. Whitegrass..........................................................................................................30-31Reed Canarygrass vs. Native Reedgrasses ..............................................................................................32-33Invasive Phragmites vs. Native Phragmites ............................................................................................34-35Golden Bamboo vs. Switch Cane ..............................................................................................................36-37Johnson Grass vs. Indian Grass ..............................................................................................................38-39

HerbsGiant Hogweed vs. Angelica and Cow-parsnip ........................................................................................40-41Yellow Flag vs. Northern Blue Flag ..........................................................................................................42-43Lesser Celandine vs. Marsh-marigold......................................................................................................44-45

Controlling Invasives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46

Species Control Recommendations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49

Glossary of Botanical Terms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52

Resources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55

Acknowledgements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58

1

Purpose:

While some invasive plants are distinctive andeasily recognized, many others are difficult todistinguish from one or more species of ournative flora. For landowners, managers, and thegeneral public, identifying confusing invasiveplants can be extremely difficult. While manyexisting publications include identification tips,none present a complete side-by-side,illustrated comparison of the key charactersneeded to confirm identification. This guide fillsa need for a regional photographic guide to abroad selection of invasive plants that are oftenconfused with similar native look-alikes.

Scope:

This guide covers the Mid-Atlantic region,defined here as Delaware, Maryland, NewJersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, andthe District of Columbia.

The species included represent some of the most significant invasive plant identification challenges in the region, as well asthe corresponding native species with which they aremost likely to be confused. Many invasive plant species are not included,either because their identification is considered relatively straightforward, or because their impacts or distributions aresomewhat limited. Invasive plant species included in this publication are those that (1) are generally widespread throughoutthe Mid-Atlantic region, or are currently expanding their ranges, and (2) are known to invade undisturbed natural habitats.

While detailed control recommendations for each plant species are beyond the scope of this publication, a general discussionof control methods, and a brief summary of methods for each species is included. More detailed control prescriptions arereadily available from many published and online resources, the best of which are included in the Resources section of thisguide.

Recommended Citation:

Sarver, M.J., A. Treher, L. Wilson, R. Naczi, and F.B. Kuehn, 2008. Mistaken Identity? Invasive Plants and their Native Look-alikes: anIdentification Guide for the Mid-Atlantic. Dover, DE: Delaware Department of Agriculture and USDA Natural Resources ConservationService.

Author Addresses:

AboutThis Guide

An invasion of Porcelain-berry (Ampelopsis brevipedunculata). Because of its climbinghabit, similar leaf shape, and clusters of bluish fruit, this species is often confused withour native grapes (Vitis spp.)

Matthew J. SarverSarver Ecological Consulting173 Wallace Rd., Blairsville, PA 15717Email: mjsarver@gmail.com

Amanda TreherClaude E. Phillips Herbarium,Delaware State University1200 North DuPont Hwy, Dover, DE 19901Email: amanda.treher@gmail.com

LennyWilsonHorticulture and Facility ManagerDelaware Center for Horticulture1810NorthDuPont St.,Wilmington, DE 19806Email: len44@dehort.org

Robert NacziCurator of North American BotanyThe New York Botanical Garden2900 Southern Blvd., Bronx, NY 10458-5126Email: rnaczi@nybg.org

Faith B. KuehnPlant Industries AdministratorDelaware Department of Agriculture2320SouthDuPontHwy,Dover,DE 19901Email: Faith.Kuehn@state.de.us

2

Definitions

What Exactly is an Invasive Plant?

Introduction

The term weed is a familiar word to farmers and gardeners.In common usage, a weed is simply any plant that is growingin a place where it is unwanted. In this context, virtually anyplant species could be considered a weed, depending on theperspective of the person applying the term. However, inregulatory and scientific terminology, a weed is typicallydefined more narrowly as a plant species that has thepotential to interfere with agricultural production or causedamage to natural ecosystems.

The plants we consider invasive species are a subset of thosespecies usually categorized as weeds using the narrowdefinition of the term. Invasive plants have the potential tobe evenmore damaging than agricultural weeds, because the

former are typically species that can compete with nativeplants in undisturbed natural areas, thus damaging thebalance of native plant communities and adversely impactingecosystems.

While most of our invasive plant species have been importedfrom overseas, some species that originated in North Americahave sometimes been regarded as invasive. These nativespecies often dominate human-altered habitats, and are notas problematic in natural areas. We choose to limit ourdefinition of invasive to include only plants not native to thecontinent, and to regard native species that can dominatecertain habitats as aggressive, rather than invasive.

Annual estimated economic losses due to invasive species ingeneral are in the hundreds of billions. These estimatedlosses include damage to agricultural crops, funds spent oncontrol, etc. The ecological impacts of invasive species aremore difficult to quantify, but are nevertheless critically im-portant. Invasive plants can impact native ecosystems in avariety of ways. They may reduce native plant diversity bycompetition for resources, such as light, water, or minerals.They may also alter the nearby soil conditions by secretingchemi