Chinese Privet

Chinese Privet, Ligustrum villosum

Chinese privet is an evergreen shrub with spreading branches. The leaves are opposite, the flowers white and fragrant, and the berries bluish black and persistent throughout winter. While the seeds are dispersed by birds, Chinese privet also reproduces by root suckers. Unfortunately, this ornamental shrub that was introduced in 1852 is very invasive in much of the southern United States. As with other invasive species, Chinese privet can tolerate many conditions and poses the threat of forming dense thickets and creating monocultures. In addition to making conditions unsuitable for native seedlings, compounds in the leaves prevent many native herbivorous species from feeding on the plant. As Chinese privet is considered one of the most invasive plants for many different states, it is highly discouraged for planting. Current control of Chinese privet includes physical removal of planets, especially before seeding, and a few different herbicidal methods including foliar spraying, cut stump applications, and basal bark applications.

Sacred Bamboo

Sacred Bamboo, Nandina domestica

Sacred bamboo, Nandina domestica, is sometimes also known as heavenly bamboo or simply as nandina. It is a semi-evergreen woody shrub that can reach 2.5 m (8 ft) in height. While visually similar to bamboo, sacred bamboo is within the family Berberidaceae rather than the grass family Poaceae like bamboo. It blooms white flowers which become red berries that persist until consumed. It tolerates drought and shade, but this non-native shrub, introduced from Asia in the early 1800s, has become very invasive in many southern states including Texas and Florida.

Fragrant Honeysuckle

Fragrant Honeysuckle, Lonicera fragrantissima

Fragrant honeysuckle is a deciduous shrub that can grow up to 3 m (10 ft) in height. It can grow in either full sun or part shade and adapts to a wide range of soils. As early as January, it blooms very fragrant white flowers and is sometimes considered a harbinger of spring. Fragrant honeysuckle is resistant to both drought and deer; however, it can also become very invasive.

Blooming branch of fragrant honeysuckle.

Sweet breath of Spring, Winter honeysuckle, and Standing honeysuckle are other names for Lonicera fragrantissima, but it is not native to North America. It originates from eastern Asia and was first introduced in the late 1800s as an ornamental plant not long after it was introduced in Europe. Fragrant honeysuckle was often planted near frequently-used gates for its high fragrance and hardy character.

Fragrant honeysuckle is a dense shrub, not a vine like other honeysuckles.

Unfortunately, fragrant honeysuckle spreads rapidly by seeds favored by birds even though they are not a high-fat, nutrient-rich food needed for migration. In addition, fragrant honeysuckle provides dense cover which, while useful for wildlife, crowds out native plant species and alters soil chemistry. The native coral honeysuckle is one recommended alternative to winter honeysuckle.

Balloon Vine

Balloon Vine, Cardiospermum corindum

Balloon vine, also known as Heartseed and Love in a Puff, is a continually blooming climbing vine with inflated capsules full of seeds and air giving it its common name. The species Cardiospermum corindum is considered an invasive species with possible exception to a subspecies in southern Florida. It is currently reported to be found in Texas, Florida, and Arizona. Its range includes parts of South America, Central America, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands; however, it can be found in a number of other countries including India and the Galápagos, and there is debate on its native status in Africa. Some of the movement has been purposeful as medicinal and horticultural species while some movement can also be attributed to weather phenomenons such as El Niño.

Tangles of balloon vine found on the edge of a patch of prairie.

Of the Cardiospermum species, the most widespread distributed species are Cardiospermum corindum, C. grandiflorum, and C. halicacabum which has resulted in their native statuses being highly debated. Current research points to C. corindum as possibly being native to both South America and southern Africa. As for its ecological role, balloon vine may play an important part in the life cycle of the endangered Miami blue butterfly. It may also be medicinally important in parts of Africa where the powdered dry roots are boiled and consumed for stomach pains, snake bites, and chronic body discomfort.

Pincushion Flower

Pincushion flower, Scabiosa atropurpurea

Also known as mourning bride or pincushion flower, Scabiosa atropurpurea is a highly invasive species within the Blackland Prairie as well as parts of the western coast of the United States. Pincusion flower is known to form monocultures and push out natives within prairies and grasslands as it self-seeds. Introduced from parts of southern Europe and northern Africa, this species can now be found within a select number of states often introduced as a pollinator plant within pollinator seed starter kits. They are also cultivated to form a variety of colors. The name Scabiosa comes from scabies which the flower was once thought to cure.

Callery Pear

Callery pear, Pyrus calleryana

Callery pear has been imported into the United States from China multiple times since 1909, first to develop fire blight resistance in the common pear, and then as an ornamental. Many different cultivars of Callery pear have since been bred including the common Bradford pear. They are very adaptable and grow fast with the Bradford variety able to reach heights up to 15 m (50 ft). Once established, Callery pear forms dense thickets. They easily push out natives by shading them and taking their water, soil, and space.

Bark of Callery Pear

The Callery pear, with Bradford as one of the most common, is often sought for its fragrant lacking, but beautiful white blooms in spring as well as its colorful fall foliage; however, it is consider invasive in many parts of the country. It is also an incredible short-lived tree that is very susceptible to limb breakage by either ice or strong wind. For that reason, it is discouraged as a plant in the Midwest not only due to its invasive potential, but also it's susceptibility.

Eastern Red Cedar

One of two distinct growth forms of Eastern Red Cedar, Juniperus virginiana

Eastern red cedar, a member of the cypress family and a native juniper, can be found throughout the eastern and central portions of the United States and southern Canada, and in Oregon. Although relatively free of pests, eastern red cedar can be a host for cedar-apple rust disease that can damage other species. Some specimens are estimated to be over 450 years old. They can grow up to 20 m (65 ft) and tolerate a wide range of conditions, especially drought. For some areas, especially prairie regions with fire suppression, eastern red cedar can easily become invasive.

Bark of Eastern Red Cedar.

Although not generally considered an important commercial species, Eastern red cedar is valued for a number of reasons. The wood is preferred for its beauty, durability, and workability. A common fragrance compound, cedarwood oil, is obtained from Eastern red cedar. Many tribes use the incense in purification and ritual, and often symbolize eastern red cedar as the tree of life. The berries, actually modified cones, are used to flavor gin, but also as a tea by some tribes to stop vomiting. Certain Native American tribes would also make a tea from the leaves and roots for other ailments and aids. Wildlife often use junipers for shelter, consume the twigs and foliage, and eat the berries. Cedar waxwings in particular prefer the cedar berries while sparrows are common nesting birds within junipers.

Fire Ants

Fire Ant,  Solenopsis wagneri

One of the most well-known of the invasive species in the southern United States and recently Queensland, Australia, the imported fire ant is an accidental introduction from South America. From causing issues with electrical equipment to home invasion to impact on wildlife and ranching, they are more than just a mere nuisance, but a true pest. They are enough of a concern to have multitude of hours dedicated to management and control of fire ants. Warm and wet weather bring these ants above ground, swarming after a rain and scavenging in the sun. They are well adapted to live in a variety of soils, in a variety of places from the middle of a forest to the sidewalk out front. Phorid flies are the current hope of wide-spread control, a monitored introduction of what is a natural parasitoid of the fire ants in their home range of Brazil.