Invasive Plants

Invasive plants are non-native weeds that take over the areas they inhabit and are nearly impossible to get rid of. They are not an issue in their native environments because certain conditions, such as consumers, keep them in check. However, the animals that ate the plants in their native region are not abundant here or would cause further problems (such as eating native plants) if they were introduced here.

Eurasian Watermilfoil, originally from Eurasia and introduced to America in the 1950s, is a submergent green plant with a red stem when actively growing. It reproduces by seed fragments and is spread by boats, trailers, and birds. In addition to impeding navigation, it shades out and displaces native vegetation.

Eurasian Watermilfoil

Alligator Weed is an emergent plant from South America. It has white flowers and is a mat-forming perennial, which leads to the displacement of native vegetation and impedes navigation. It spreads through seeds or plant fragments.

Alligator Weed

Giant Salvinia is a free floating aquatic fern with hairlike structures that resemble egg beaters. This South American weed is also known as "Plant from Hell" because it decreases dissolved oxygen levels in water, kills organisms in lakes, displaces native vegetation, impedes navigation, and is nearly impossible to eradicate. It reproduces through buds.

Giant Salvinia