List of invasive plant species in New York facts for kids
Many new plants have come to New York over the last 400 years. Some of these plants are called invasive species. This means they grow very fast and take over areas, pushing out the plants that naturally belong there. They can harm the environment and even affect local economies.
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What Are Invasive Plants?
Scientists have been studying how quickly these dangerous invasive plants grow and spread. They collect data to understand their impact. Because invasive species are such a big problem, former New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo even set aside money to help get rid of them.
Steve Englebright, who leads the Assembly Environmental Conservation Committee, said that "Invasive plant and animal species are a significant threat to New York’s remarkable biodiversity." This means they could seriously hurt New York's forests, farms, and even tourism.
How We Classify Invasive Plants
Invasive plants are often grouped by how much harm they can cause. This can change from one county to another. Some are "very high" impact, meaning they cause a lot of damage, while others show "increased growth."
The list of plants below is not complete, but every plant on it is known to harm local habitats and wildlife, including birds in New York. Plants are listed by their scientific (Latin) name and their threat level. Since plants don't stop at state lines, many of these also cause problems in nearby states like Connecticut and New Jersey.
Different groups called PRISMs (Partnership for Regional Invasive Species Management) keep track of invasive species in New York. There are 8 PRISMs across the state.
Invasive Plants on Land
These are plants and trees that grow on land.
Very High Threat
- Acer platanoides - Norway maple
- Ailanthus altissima— Tree of heaven
- Alliaria petiolata - Garlic mustard
- Aralia elata - Japanese angelica tree
- Berberis thunbergii - Japanese barberry
- Celastrus orbiculatus - Asian bittersweet
- Elaeagnus umbellata - Autumn olive
- Euonymus alatus - Burning bush. New York allows this plant to be sold if it's labeled as invasive. Scientists are also working on types that can't spread.
- Fallopia japonica - Japanese knotweed
- Lonicera japonica - Japanese honeysuckle
- Lonicera maackii - Bush honeysuckle
- Lythrum salicaria - Purple loosestrife
- Microstegium vimineum - Japanese stiltgrass
- Miscanthus sinensis - Chinese silvergrass
- Persicaria perfoliata - Mile-a-minute
- Phragmites australis - Common reed grass
- Ranunculus ficaria - Lesser celandine
- Rhodotypos scandens - Jetbead
- Rosa multiflora - Multiflora rose
- Rubus phoenicolasius - Wineberry
- Vincetoxicum rossicum - Pale swallow-wort
High Threat
- Ampelopsis glandulosa— Porcelain berry
- Centaurea maculosa— Spotted knapweed
- Cirsium arvense— Canada or creeping thistle
Invasive Water Plants
These are plants that grow in water, like lakes, ponds, or rivers.
Very High Threat
- Cabomba caroliniana - Fanwort
- Hydrilla verticillata - Hydrilla
- Myriophyllum spicatum - Milfoil
- Potamogeton crispus - Curly leaf pondweed
- Trapa natans - Water chestnut
See also
- Invasive species in the United States
