List of invasive plant species in Wisconsin facts for kids
In Wisconsin, some plants are causing big problems for nature. These are called invasive plant species. They are plants that didn't originally grow here. When they arrive, they spread quickly and take over. This means they push out the plants that are supposed to be here.
The Invasive Plants Association of Wisconsin (IPAW) is a group working to stop these plants. They help people understand which plants are invasive. In Wisconsin, it's actually against the law to move or plant certain invasive species without special permission. This rule helps protect Wisconsin's natural areas.
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What Are Invasive Plants?
Invasive plants are like uninvited guests in an ecosystem. They are not native, meaning they did not grow naturally in a specific area. These plants often come from other parts of the world. They can arrive in many ways, like through gardening, shipping, or even on people's shoes.
Why Are They a Problem?
Once an invasive plant gets to a new place, it can grow very fast. It often has no natural enemies there, like bugs or diseases that would keep it in check in its home country. This allows it to spread quickly.
When invasive plants take over, they can:
- Crowd out native plants that animals need for food and shelter.
- Change the soil and water, making it harder for native species to survive.
- Reduce the variety of plants and animals in an area.
- Harm farming and outdoor activities.
Common Invasive Plants in Wisconsin
The IPAW keeps a list of plants that are a big concern in Wisconsin. These plants are known to spread easily and cause harm to the environment. It's important to know about them so we can help stop their spread.
Here are some of the invasive plants found in Wisconsin:
- Acer platanoides – Norway maple
- Alliaria petiolata – garlic mustard
- Arctium minus – common burdock
- Berberis thunbergii – Japanese barberry
- Bromus inermis – smooth brome
- Campanula rapunculoides – creeping bellflower
- Celastrus orbiculatus – Oriental bittersweet
- Centaurea maculosa – spotted knapweed
- Cirsium arvense – Canada thistle
- Convallaria majalis – lily of the valley
- Convolvulus arvensis – field bindweed
- Crepis tectorum – hawksbeard
- Daucus carota – Queen Anne's lace
- Dipsacus laciniatus – cut-leaved teasel
- Dipsacus sylvestris – common teasel
- Elaeagnus angustifolia – Russian olive
- Elaeagnus umbellata – autumn olive
- Elytrigia repens – quackgrass
- Epipactis helleborine – helleborine orchid
- Euphorbia cyparissias – cypress spurge
- Euphorbia esula – leafy spurge
- Festuca arundinacea – tall fescue
- Glechoma hederacea – creeping Charlie
- Hemerocallis fulva – orange daylily
- Hesperis matronalis – dame's rocket
- Hieracium aurantiacum – orange hawkweed
- Hieracium caespitosum – yellow hawkweed
- Hypericum perforatum – St. John's wort
- Iris pseudacorus – yellow iris
- Leonurus cardiaca – motherwort
- Lonicera maackii – Amur honeysuckle
- Lonicera morrowii – Morrow's honeysuckle
- Lonicera tatarica – Tartarian honeysuckle
- Lonicera × bella – Bell's honeysuckle
- Lotus corniculatus – bird's-foot trefoil
- Lysimachia nummularia – moneywort
- Lythrum salicaria – purple loosestrife
- Melilotus alba – white sweet clover
- Melilotus officinalis – yellow sweet clover
- Morus alba – white mulberry
- Myosotis scorpioides – forget-me-not
- Myriophyllum spicatum – Eurasian watermilfoil
- Pastinaca sativa – wild parsnip
- Phalaris arundinacea – reed canary grass
- Phragmites australis – common reed grass
- Pinus sylvestris – Scots pine
- Poa compressa – Canada bluegrass
- Poa pratensis – Kentucky bluegrass
- Populus alba – white poplar
- Potamogeton crispus – curly-leaf pondweed
- Reynoutria japonica (syn. Polygonum cuspidatum) – Japanese knotweed
- Rhamnus cathartica – common buckthorn
- Rhamnus frangula – glossy buckthorn
- Robinia pseudoacacia – black locust
- Rosa multiflora – multiflora rose
- Rumex acetosella – sheep sorrel
- Saponaria officinalis – soapwort
- Securigera varia – crown vetch
- Solanum dulcamara – climbing nightshade
- Tanacetum vulgare – tansy
- Trifolium pratense – red clover
- Trifolium repens – white clover
- Typha angustifolia – narrow-leaved cattail
- Typha × glauca – hybrid cattail
- Ulmus pumila – Siberian elm
- Vinca minor – common periwinkle
What Can You Do?
Learning about invasive plants is the first step. You can help protect Wisconsin's natural beauty. Here are a few ideas:
- Learn to identify common invasive plants in your area.
- Choose native plants for your garden. They are better for local wildlife.
- Clean your shoes and gear after hiking. This stops seeds from spreading.
- Volunteer with local groups that remove invasive species.
By working together, we can help keep Wisconsin's ecosystems healthy and full of native plants.
