Bush honeysuckles- Lonicera spp. One of the most widely distributed invasive exotic species in the U.S., bush honeysuckles

are native to China, Mongolia, Japan, Korea and the more temperate regions of Asia. First used as an ornamental and a hedge, their seeds are quickly dispersed by birds and they have now naturalized into United States ecosystems. Understory thickets outcompete native plants for light, water, and nutrients and can become monocultures. This poses a large threat to forest regeneration. They can be easily identified most of the year by their spreading growth form,

light-colored bark, opposite leaf arrangement, distinctive flowers, and red berries. Alternative species: Silky Dogwood Periwinkles- Vinca spp. First introduced in the 1700’s for their violet/blue flowers and ability to survive in various conditions, periwinkles have spread throughout most of the United States. Their ability to develop into thick mats of evergreen vines helps them displace native vegetation. Unfortunately, periwinkles can still be purchased at retailers and nurseries. Alternative species: Common Blue Violet Royal Paulownia “Princess Tree” – Paulownia tomentosa First used as an ornamental around 1840, this tree is very aggressive. It is able to colonize most disturbed forest areas, such as fire damaged areas and defoliated stands. Paulownia can grow well in most temperate landscapes such as stream sides, rocky regions, and roadside areas. Its rapid growth rate and aggressive nature make it a hindrance to native regeneration. The tree blooms with clusters of lavender flowers in the spring, and has heart or spade-shaped leaves that can grow quite large. Alternative species: Yellowwood Bradford Pear – Pyrus calleryana

This medium-sized tree produces abundant white blooms each spring. Originally, the “Bradfords” produced only sterile fruits, and were planted throughout the United States since the early 1900’s. In recent years, certain cultivars that were bred for branch strength to protect against breakage from snow and high winds, have produced viable seeds and escaped. Alternative species: Carolina Silverbell

Golden Rain Tree - Koelreuteria paniculata This small tree, originally native to Korea and China, is commonly planted as an ornamental. In the eastern United States, and specifically in Florida, it is considered an invasive plant. It can be identified by its distinct, serrated, pinnate leaves. The yellow flowers have four petals, and in the fall the seed pods look like three-part inflated pouches. Alternative species: Red Buckeye

Siberian Elm - Ulmus pumila Widely cultivated in the United States, this small tree originally comes from eastern Siberia, Mongolia, and northern China. It was first planted shortly after the 1930’s Dust Bowl incident of the mid-western U.S. Since that time, it has invaded much of the U.S. It typically grows in abandoned or disturbed areas, or along railroad tracks which provide excellent corridors through which it can spread. Alternative species: American Elm ‘Valley Forge’

Invasive species are generally defined as species that are not native to a region or ecosystem, which propagate rapidly displacing native species, and are likely to cause economic and/or environmental harm. There are more than 4,500 known non-natives in the U.S. and many have been implicated in the decline of 46% of the species listed in the Endangered Species Act. Economic losses due to invasive plants have been estimated at more than $123 billion annually in the U.S. alone. Although invasive plants have been recognized as a global problem, many are available for sale at retailers and nurseries and are commonly used in horticultural settings.

None of the individuals involved in this project possess an extensive background in plant taxonomy or horticulture, so it is highly likely that some invasive plants were overlooked during the campus survey. Furthermore, the survey was undertaken after much of the fall leaf drop had occurred, increasing the difficulty of species identification. Photographs courtesy of:

• Michael French • Forestryimages.org:

James H. Miller, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org The Dow Gardens Archive, Dow Gardens, Bugwood.org James R. Allison, Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Bugwood.org Warner Park Nature Center Archive, Warner Park Nature Center, Bugwood.org Richard Old, XID Services, Inc., Bugwood.org

For more information on these and other invasive species, please visit: • Invasive and Exotic Species: http://www.invasive.org • The National Invasive Species Information Center:

http://www.invasivespeciesinfo.gov

Produced for: FOR 599 GIS in Natural Resources, Fall 2007 Instructor: Dr. Songlin Fei

http://www.uky.edu/Agriculture/Forestry  

Funded by the UK Service‐Learning Program, Department of Forestry, and College of Agriculture 

An Invasive Species Trail Map of the University

of Kentucky Campus

Produced by: Josh Clark, Michael French, Ryan McNertney, and Mark Pulliam.

Burning Bush - Euonymus alatus Burning Bush was first introduced into the U.S. from northeastern Asia around 1860 for use as an ornamental shrub. Often found in urban areas and near roadsides, it is still commonly used as a hedge due to its bright red foliage in fall and early winter. It does however pose a problem, as it is has spread to some forested areas. Alternative species: Golden St. John’s Wort

Wintercreeper – Euonymus fortunei This woody evergreen was first introduced into the U.S. in 1907 as ornamental ground cover. It can grow as a small shrub or as a vine, blocking out light for understory growth and choking trees. These qualities and the fact it is both very aggressive and difficult to remove, make it a large concern in woodlands across the U.S. Alternative species: Running Strawberry Bush English Ivy – Hedera helix

Native to Europe, this vine can choke out mature trees. Commonly planted as an ornamental ground cover, it behaves in a manner similar to wintercreeper, only slightly less aggressive. It also retains the majority of its vibrant green color throughout the year which allows it to shade out native understory plants. Alternative Species: Virginia Creeper

Chinese Silvergrass- Miscanthus sinensis Introduced from eastern Asia, it’s still widely sold and increasingly planted for gardens as an ornamental. Several types are sold and most are considered to be sterile so that they will not become invasive pests. However, older plantings have escaped and spread to both wooded areas and roadsides. It is moderately tolerant of shade and ignites easily, posing a fire hazard. Alternative species: Big Bluestem Giant Reed- Arundo donax

Introduced from India for erosion control and as an ornamental sometime around 1820, it is now an invasive pest, impacting ecosystems by crowding out native species, fueling fires, and leading to possible flood problems. This large grass prefers wetlands, attains heights greater than 20 feet, and is easily recognizable by its large flowers/seed plumes. Alternative species: Giant Cane

Norway Maple – Acer platanoides Introduced as an ornamental from Europe around 1756, they have spread to approximately 13 states. They can be found growing wild in stands; once established they shade out and outcompete native understory species. Norway maples can still be bought in stores. Alternative species: Sugar Maple

Trail Length: 1.4 miles