Top 11 indiana invasive plant species

Top 11 Indiana Invasive Plant Species
A partnership between the Center for Earth and Environmental Science at IUPUI and Indy Parks & Recreation

Throughout this compendium there are numerous references to vocabulary
that may be unfamiliar to those outside the lens of environmental work. Here,
you will find explanations of this information.
Native plant species (referred to as ‘natives’) are those that historically grew
in a location before an external force, namely human colonizers, arrived in
the area.
Non-native plant species are the opposite, they historically grew in areas
other than where they have been recognized as non-native. They were later
brought to the new area and escaped into the wild, either accidentally or on
purpose. These species are not necessarily dangerous to natives, or invasive,
and may even require human aid to propagate.
Naturalized plant species are non-natives that have begun to flourish without
the aid of humans. These plants are not necessarily invasive but invasive
species are a subcategory of these plants.
Invasive plant species (referred to as ‘invasives’) are a subcategory of
naturalize plants that have become a threat to natives. These dangers are
numerous and far reaching, the specifics of which will be explained in more
detail later.

Many terms exist to describe the growth durations, or time to complete the
plant’s biological life cycle, of plants. There are also terms that relate to
herbicides. The terms used in this compendium are as follows:
Annual: Plant completes its life cycle, from germination to the production of seeds, within one year, and then
dies.
Biennial: Flowering plant that takes two years to complete its biological lifecycle. In the first year, the plant
grows leaves, stems, and roots (vegetative structures), then it enters a period of dormancy over the colder
months.
Perennial: Flowering plants, that grow and bloom over the spring and summer, die back every autumn and
winter, and then return in the spring from their rootstock.
Basal spray: Apply herbicide to the base of the main trunk of the plant.
Penetrant: A chemical that increases the ability of a poison to apply its toxic effect to a living organism.
Surfactant: A compound that lowers the surface tension (or interfacial tension) between two liquids, between a
gas and a liquid or between a liquid and a solid.

Invasive plants have many traits that allow them to flourish as natives in their
country or area of origin. These same traits, when used in a new area of the
world, often give them an unreasonable advantage over their native
counterparts.
Many invasives will have a different growing season than the surrounding plants,
most often their growing season allows them to begin presenting leaves, flowers,
and fruit weeks or months before their native counterparts will. If the invasive
plant is able to establish itself so early in the growing season it can easily starve
a native plant of sunlight and space for growth. This creates a vicious cycle of
aggressive growth by the native as the natives surrounding it die off.
Native animals, such as nesting birds, are also affected. If these bird species
have always sought out the branches or leaves of a native plant that has been
out-competed, and subsequently killed off, by an invasive plant it may force the
birds to nest elsewhere or use sub-par nesting materials.
Insects are another cause for concern as they may rely on the leaves of native
plants for their normal diet. If these leaves cannot be found then the insects in
the area will die off. This trend continues up the food chain and may cause a
domino effect of death or exodus by native animal species.

Various herbicides are described throughout this compendium, the specifics of
use will be described on the slides pertaining to particular species. These
chemicals are often effective tools for controlling the spread of dangerous
invasive plants.
Extreme caution should be used when handling these chemicals. They are
chemical agents designed to destroy biological systems that are toxic, or fatal,
to non-target plants, animals, and humans if ingested or absorbed.
The herbicides that are advised for use in this compendium are listed below.
Names with a registered trademark symbol (®) are brand-name, others are
generic chemicals. All should be made into solutions, as directed, using water.
Arsenal AC ®
Clopyralid
Escort ®
Garlon 3A ®
Garlon 4 ®
Glyphosate
MCPA
Phenoxy
Roundup ®
Tordon 101 ®
Tordon K ®
Triclopyr
Vanquish ®

Some herbicides (such as Tordon 101 and Tordon K) are safer than others in
regards to aquatic life. Herbicides should be used as a last resort to remove
invasive plants but consideration should be given first to herbicides that have the
least impact on the surrounding environment.

Shrubs & Trees
Autumn Olive (Elaeagnus umbellata)
Burning Bush (Euonymus alatus)
Bush Honeysuckle (Lonicera maackii)
Callery Pear (Pyrus calleryana)
Japanese Barberry (Berberis thunbergii)
Multiflora Rose (Rosa multiflora)

Other names include: Japanese Silverberry
Duration: Perennial
Family: Elaegnaceae
Height: 1 – 6 m (3 – 20 ft) tall
Foliage
Leaves: 5 – 8 cm (2 – 3 in) long and 2 – 3 cm
(0.8 – 1.2 in) wide
• Alternate pattern
• Elliptic
• Bright green to gray green
• Silvery scaly midvein
• Silver scaly beneath
• Petioles short and silvery
Thorns: Formed from twigs

Flowers: 8-10 mm (0.3-0.4 in) broad
• Fragrant
• Clusters of white to yellow
• 1-7 per cluster
• 4 lobed
Fruit (not pictured) : Red and finely doted with
silvery to silvery-brown scales, 7 – 10 mm (0.3 –
0.4 in) diameter
• August - November
• Pulpy, juicy, sweet
• Thin skin covering
• Drupe
• Has a pit with fleshy coating

Native to: China & Japan
Introduction (1830): Wildlife
habitat, strip mine reclamation,
shelterbelts (a barrier of plant
life that protects against wind
and reduces erosion)
Threat
• Invades old fields, woodland
edges, and other disturbed
areas
• Can form dense shrub layer
• Displaces native species and
closes open areas

Mechanical Controls
Pull sprouts when possible.
Cutting or burning of the
branches is heavily discouraged
as it can further the spread of
the plant.
Herbicidal Controls
Foliar Spray Method: Wet leaves
with Arsenal AC or Vanquish as a
1% solution in water (4 ounces
of herbicide per 3 gallon mix),
use with a surfactant. Use
between the months of April to
October.
For stems too tall for foliar
sprays, apply Garlon 4 as a 20%
solution in basal oil, diesel fuel,
or kerosene (2.5 quarts per 3-
gallon mix) with a penetrant
(check with herbicide
distributor) to young bark as a
basal spray (January – February
or May - October)
Cut Stump Method: Cut large
stems and immediately treat the
stumps with one of the following
herbicides in water with a
surfactant:
Arsenal AC: 10% solution (1
quart per 3-gallon mix)
Glyphosate: 20% solution (2.5
quarts per 3-gallon mix)
Miller, James H. 2003. Nonnative invasive plants of southern forests: a field guide for identification and control. Gen. Tech. Rep. SRS–62. Asheville, NC: U.S. Department of
Agriculture, Forest Service, Southern Research Station. 93 p.

Other names include: Winged burning bush or winged
spindletree
Duration: Perennial
Family: Celastraceae
Height: 6.1m (20 ft)
Foliage
Leaves: 2.5 – 7.62 cm (1 – 3 in) long and 1 – 4 cm
(0.39 – 1.57 in) wide
• Opposite branching
• Elliptic
• Serrated
Stems/bark: 4 corky ridges (wings)

Flowers: Not very distinctive
• Late May - June
Fruit (not pictured): Red, 15.2 cm (6 in) capsule
• Enclosed in 4-lobed pink/yellow or orange
capsule
• Ripens in September

Native to: China, Japan, Korea,
Russia
Introduction: Ornamental
Threat
• Lots of seeds
• Bird (and other berry-feeding
animals) dispersal
• Self-fertilizing
• Stump sprouting
• No native predators
• Long growth season
• Shade/sun tolerant

Mechanical Controls
Hand Pull: Can be done at any
time during the year. Pull, dig
and cut the plant out of the
ground. Repeated cutting on a
monthly cycle can inhibit
fruit/seed production and stunt
growth.
Complete removal of root mass
is recommended as secured
roots can sprout new plants.
Herbicidal Controls
Herbicide application in July,
August, and up to mid-
September gives maximum
chemical control.
In March - June the stump
should be cut high (six to
twelve inches), allowed to
stump sprout, and cut again
from July – September to one
inch from the ground before
following cut stump method
instructions.
Cut Stump Method: Cut plant
down to one inch from the
ground.
Glyphosate: Immediately apply
herbicide (straight, no
solution) to stump using paint
brush or sponge applicator.

Other names include: Amur Honeysuckle
Duration: Perennial
Family: Caprifoliaceae
Height: 6m (~19.5 ft)
Foliage
Leaves: 3.5 – 8.5 am (1.3 – 3.3 in) long
• Opposite pattern for leaves
• Ovate to lance-ovate
• Acuminate
• Tapering gradually to a sharp point, as the tips of certain leaves.
• Dark green above, lighter on lower surface
• Veins are pubescent

Flowers: 1.5 – 2 cm (0.6 – 0.75 in) long
• February - June
• White/yellowish
• Bilabiate
• Having two lips, as the corollas of the
snapdragon.
• 5 parted
• Top 4 petals are fused
Fruit: 6 – 12 mm (0.2 – 0.5 in) in diameter, Green
becoming pink, ripen to red (sometimes yellow or
orange)
• August – February
• Glassy
• In leaf axils
• Usually persist into winter

Native to: Asia
Introduction (1700s – 1800s):
Ornamental
Threat
• Early leaf out in spring
• Takes up space for and shades
out competitors
• Berries available for birds to
eat/disperse even into winter
• Shallow roots do not hold soil
in place
• Reduces surrounding water
quality

Mechanical Controls
Hand Pull: Pulling out small
plants can remove entire root
mass with ease. Important as
secured roots can sprout new
plants.
Can be seasonally controlled by
cutting the main stem of the
plant one inch from the ground.
Herbicidal Controls
Foliar Spray Method:
Thoroughly wetting all leaves is
recommended.
Glyphosate: Use as a 2%
solution (8 ounces per 3-
gallon mix) of glyphosate and
water with a surfactant
Garlon 4: Use as a 20%
solution in basal oil, diesel
fuel, or kerosene (2.5 quarts
per 3-gallon mix), where
commercially available, with
a penetrant (when advised by
herbicide distributor) to
young bark at base of young
plant.
Cut Stump Method:
Recommended for stems too tall
for foliar spray. Use following
herbicides in water with a
surfactant.
Arsenal AC: 10% solution (1
quart per 3-gallon mix).
Glyphosate: 20% solution (2.5
quarts per 3-gallon mix).

Other names include: Bradford Pear
Duration: Perennial
Family: Rosaceae
Height: 18 m (60 ft) tall, 0.6 m (2ft) diameter
Foliage
Leaves: 5.1-7.6 cm (2-3 in) long
• Alternate
• Simple
• Petiolate
• Shiny
• Wavy, slightly toothed margins

Flowers: 2.5 cm (1in) wide
• April – May
• Emerge before leaves
• White
• Insect pollinated
Fruit (not pictured): 1.3 cm (0.5 in) diameter,
green – brown

Native to: China and Vietnam
Introduction (1900s): Ornamental
Threat
• Usually produces sterile fruit
but can hybridize with other
pears and produce fertile fruit
• Can establish dominance in an
area quickly

Mechanical Controls
Do not plant Callery Pears or
any cultivars such as the
Bradford Pear.
Seedlings and shallow rooted
plants can be pulled if soil is
moist.
Herbicidal Controls
Medium to large trees should be
cut down and stumps treated
with glyphosate or triclopyr-
based herbicide.

Other names include: Red Barberry
Duration: Perennial
Family: Berberidaceae
Height: 0.6 – 2.5 m (2 – 8.2 ft)
Foliage
Leaves: 1 – 3 cm (0.4 – 1.2 in) long
• Green, blue-green
• May be reddish or purple
• Oval shaped
• Semi – evergreen: alternate or grow in
alternate clusters
Branches: Deeply grooved, spiny

Flowers: 8-10 mm (0.3-0.4 in) broad
• Pale yellow
• Clusters of 2 – 5
• Bloom in March – April
Fruit (not pictured) : Bright red to orange-red berries
• Single seeded

Native to: Japan
Threat
• Similar to Japanese
honeysuckle
o Shade tolerant
o Forms dense clumps
• Wide range of
environments
o Closed canopy forests
o Woodlands
o Wetlands
o Pastures
o Meadows
o Wasteland
• Easily dispersed by birds

Mechanical Controls
Hand Pull: Effective method for
small populations of the plant.
Separating the roots from the
plant is also effective as the
plant cannot regrow from its
root mass alone. However,
pulled plants with fruit present
should be removed from the
area to minimize seed dispersal.
Mowing/Cutting: This method
should be used where herbicides
cannot and should be repeated
every growing season as this is
only a temporary solution.
Herbicidal Controls
Foliar Spray Method: Should be
used for large thickets of the
plant when risk to non-target
plants is minimal.
solution of glyphosate and
water plus a 0.5% non-ionic
surfactant to thoroughly wet all
leaves.
Triclopyr: Use as a 2% solution
of triclopyr and water plus a
0.5% non-ionic surfactant to
thoroughly wet all leaves.
Cut Stump Method: This
method should be considered
when treating individual bushes
or where the presence of
desirable species precludes
foliar application. Stump
treatments can be used as long
as the ground is not frozen.
Glyphosate: Horizontally cut
barberry stems at or near
ground level. Immediately
apply a 25% solution of
glyphosate and water to the
cut stump, covering the outer
20% of the stump.
Triclopyr: Horizontally cut
barberry stems at or near
ground level. Immediately
apply a 25% solution of
triclopyr and water to the cut
stump, covering the outer 20%
of the stump.

Other names include: Japanese rose, baby rose,
seven-sisters rose, rambler rose
Duration: Perennial
Family: Rosaceae
Height: 3-5 m (10 – 16.5 ft)
Foliage
Leaves: 2.5 – 3.8 cm (1 – 1.5 in) long
• Serrated
• Fringed petioles
• 7 – 9 leaflets
Prickles: Not always present

Flowers: Large corymbs
• Small
• White to pinkish
• 5 petaled
• Clustered
Fruit (not pictured): 6-8 mm diameter, reddish
to purple

Native to: Japan, Korea
Introduction (1800s):
Ornamental, livestock
containment, wildlife habitat
Threat
• Displaces native vegetation
• Creates natural barrier to
wildlife
• Bird dispersed
• Tolerant of many conditions

Mechanical Controls
Hand Pull: Pull sprout to
remove root mass.
Cut stems, repeat to stunt
growth.
Herbicidal Controls
Cut Stump Method: Apply to cut
stumps if necessary

Woody Vines
Japanese Honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica)
Oriental Bittersweet (Celastrus orbiculatus)
Winter Creeper (Euonymus fortunei)

Other names include: Chinese honeysuckle
Duration: Perennial
Family: Caprifoliaceae
Height: 24 m (80 ft)
Foliage
Leaves: 4 – 6.5 am (1.6 – 2.6 in) long, 2-4
cm (0.8-1.5 in) wide
• Opposite branching
• Ovate to elliptic to oblong
• Both surfaces smooth – rough hairy with
white underside
Branches: Deeply grooved, spiny

Flowers: 2 – 3 cm (0.8 – 1.2 in) long, White-pink
and pale yellow
• April – August
• Axillary pairs
• 5 lobes, 2 lips
• 5 stamens, 1 pistil
Fruit (not pictured): Green ripening to black, 5 –
6 mm (0.2 in) diameter, Stalks: 1 – 3 cm (0.4 –
1.2 in)
• June – March
• 2-3 seeds

Native to: Japan
Introduction (1800): Ornamental,
deer browse
Threat
• Forms dense mats in tree canopies
• Useful for erosion control which
leading to more planting

Mechanical Controls
Controlled burning in spring can
reduce ground mats.
Herbicidal Controls
Apply following herbicides to
foliage with a surfactant from
July – October.
gallon mix) of glyphosate
and water.
Garlon 3A or 4: Use as a
3% - 5% solution (12 – 20
ounces per 3-gallon mix.
Apply Escort to foliage with a
surfactant from June – August 2
ounces per acre in water (0.6
dry ounces per 3-gallon mix) or
spot spraying 2 – 4 ounces per
acre in water (0.6 – 1.2 dry
ounces per 3-gallon mix).
Cut Stump Method: This
method should be used for
severed vines.
Glyphosate or Garlon 3A: Use
as a 20% solution (2.5 quarts
per 3-gallon mix) in water with
surfactant from July - October.

Other names include: Chinese bittersweet
Duration: Perennial
Height: 18.3 m (60 ft) tall, 10 cm (4 in) diameter
Foliage
Leaves: 5-13 cm (2-5 in) long
• Alternate
• Elliptical-circular

Flowers: Axillary
• Greenish-white
• Bloom from May – early June
Fruit (not pictured): Green when young, ripen to
yellow then split to reveal scarlet berries which
persist into winter

Native to: Asia
Introduction (1700s – 1800s):
Ornamental
Threat
• Fast growing: covers, shades,
and outcompetes natives
• Can kill large trees
• Seed distributed

Mechanical Controls
Hand Pull: Removal of small or
young plants is advised.
Herbicidal Controls
Foliar Spray Method: Apply one
of the following herbicides with
a surfactant from July –
October.
Garlon 3A or 4 or glyphosate:
Use as a 2% solution (8 ounces
per 3-gallon mix).
Cut Stump Method: For stems
too tall for foliar sprays, apply
Garlon 4 as a 20% solution in
basal oil, diesel fuel, or
kerosene (2.5 quarts per 3-
gallon mix) with a penetrant
(check with herbicide
distributor).
Or, cut large stems and
immediately treat with one of
the following with a surfactant:
Garlon 4 or glyphosate:
25% solution (32 ounces
per 1-gallon mix)

Other names include: Climbing euonymus, spindle,
fortune’s spindle
Duration: Perennial
Height: 20 m (66 ft)
Foliage
Leaves: 1-2.5 in (2.5-6.4 cm) long
• Opposite
• Glossy
• Dark green
• Oval
• Slightly toothed
• Light colored veins

Flowers: 5 petals, long branched stalks
Fruit (not pictured) : Pink - red
• Split open to expose seeds with red-orange
arils

Native to: China, Japan, Korea
groundcover
Threat
• Takes over open areas
• Grows across ground, displaces
natives and kills seedlings
• Tolerates wide range of soil
types

Mechanical Controls
Cutting: Sever all vertical
climbing stems to prevent
fruiting and spread by birds.
Herbicidal Controls
Foliar Spray Method: Wet leaves
until runoff with one of the
following:
Tordon 101: Use as a 3%
gallon mix).
Tordon K: Use as a 2% solution
(8 ounces per 3-gallon mix).
Or repeatedly apply one of the
following (less effective but
reduces harm to non-target
plants):
Garlon 4 or glyphosate: Use as
a 2% solution (8 ounces per 3-
gallon mix) in water with a
surfactant.

Herbaceous plants
Canada Thistle (Cirsium arvense)
Garlic Mustard (Alliaria petiolata)

Other names include: Creeping thistle, bull thistle,
spear thistle, lettuce from hell thistle, cursed thistle
Duration: Perennial
Family: Asteraceae
Height: 0.3 – 1.5 m (1 – 5 ft)
Foliage
Leaves: 12 – 20 cm (5 – 8 in) long (basal)
• Lanceolate to oblong-lanceolate
• Glaborous above
• Undersides have short, white hairs

Flowers:
• Female: 1 – 1.5 cm (0.4 – 0.6 in) diameter, 1 – 2 cm
(0.4 – 0.75 in) tall
• Flask-shaped
• Fragrant
• Male
• Smaller
• More globose
Fruit (not pictured) : 2- 3 mm (0.1 in) long, 1 mm
(0.04 in) diameter
• White – light brown pappus

Native to: Europe, Northern Asia
Introduction (17th century):
Escaped weed
Threat
• Hard to remove
• Reduces species diversity
• Decreases crop yield
• Problem in prairie and riparian
habitats

Mechanical Controls
Cutting: At flower stem
extension before bud opens.
Predatory insects: Orellia
ruficauda and Aceria
anthocoptes
Competing plants: Growing
forages such as alfalfa which
must be cut frequently)
Herbicidal Controls
Phenoxy compounds
MCPA and clopyralid where
approved

Other names include: Hedge garlic, jack-by-the-hedge
garlic, poor man’s mustard, garlic root, mustard root,
garlicwort
Duration: Annual/biennial
Family: Brassicaceae
Height: 60 – 120 cm (2 – 4 ft) flower stalks
Foliage
Leaves: 3 – 9 cm (1.2 – 3.6 in) long, 2.5 – 10 cm (1
– 4 in) wide
• Rosette of kidney-shaped
• Later alternate heart-shaped – triangular
Petioles: 1 – 8 cm (0.4 – 3 in) long & reduced
upwards

Flowers: 5 – 7 mm (0.2 – 0.3 in) long, 10 – 14 mm (0.4 –
0.6 in) wide
• Terminal
• Tight clusters of small white, four-petaled flowers
• Bloom April – May
Fruit (not pictured): 2.5 – 12 cm (1 – 5 in) long, 1.5 mm
(0.06 in) wide, green ripening to tan & papery
• Four sided, thin pod
• Alternately whorled along stalk
• Explode to expel tiny black seeds arranged in rows
• Present May – June

Native to: Antarctic, Asia, China,
Europe, Morocco, Pakistan,
Scandinavia
Introduction (1800s): Medical and
culinary use, escaped weed
Threat
• High shade tolerance
• Can invade high quality, mature
woodlands
• Forms dense strands

Mechanical Controls
Hand Pull: Both young and
mature plants can be pulled
with ease. Should be done
before seed formation.
Repeated, annual burning in
early spring or fall can control
plant. Individual burning of
plants with propane torches has
shown some success.
Herbicidal Controls
Foliar Spray Method: Used to
control multiple generations of
the plant:
solution in water (8 ounces
per 3-gallon mix) during
flowering (April – June) and
include a surfactant unless
plants are near surface
waters.

References
All images are courtesy of the Center for Earth and Environmental Science at
Indiana University – Purdue University Indianapolis unless otherwise noted.
Miller, James H. 2003. Nonnative invasive plants of southern forests: a field guide
for identification and control. Gen. Tech. Rep. SRS–62. Asheville, NC: U.S.
Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Southern Research Station. 93 p.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surfactant?oldformat=true
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Penetrant_(biochemical)?oldformat=true

Plant references
Bush Honeysuckle (Lonicera maackii)
https://plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=loma6
https://www.invasiveplantatlas.org/subject.html?sub=3040
https://www.invasive.org/eastern/srs/BH.html
Japanese Barberry (Berberis thunbergii)
https://plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=beth
https://wiki.bugwood.org/Archive:SEEPPC/Berberis_thunbergii
Burning Bush (Euonymus alatus)
https://plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=EUAL13
http://www.hort.uconn.edu/plants/detail.php?pid=167
https://www.ecolandscaping.org/04/invasive-plants/winged-euonymus-an-exotic-invasive-plant-
fact-sheet/

Plant references continued
Autumn Olive (Elaeagnus umbellata)
https://plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=ELUM
https://www.invasive.org/eastern/srs/AO.html
Multiflora Rose (Rosa multiflora)
https://plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=romu
https://www.invasive.org/eastern/srs/ER.html
Winter Creeper (Euonymus fortunei)
https://plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=EUFO5

Oriental Bittersweet (Celastrus orbiculatus)
https://plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=CEOR7
https://plants.usda.gov/java/charProfile?symbol=CEOR7
Japanese Honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica)
https://plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=LOJA
https://www.invasive.org/eastern/srs/JH.html
Callery Pear = Bradford Pear (Pyrus calleryana)
https://plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=PYCA80
https://www.invasive.org/alien/pubs/midatlantic/pyca.htm

A Garlic Mustard (Alliaria petiolata formerly A. officinalis)
https://www.invasive.org/eastern/srs/GM.html
https://plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=alpe4

Top 11 indiana invasive plant species

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