Invasive Plants Flashcards (pdf)

http://www.invasive.org/species/subject.cfm?sub=3023
http://www.missouriplants.com/Pinkopp/Lamium_amplexicaule_
page.html
http://www.sbs.utexas.edu/bio406d/images/pics/lam/lamium_am
plexicaule.htm
Status: Invasive.
Burning Bush (Euonymus alatus)
Native to: Eastern Asia.
Effects: In woodlands, this species can replace native
shrubs. It can grow at high densities, out-competing
native shrubs. When it does this, its roots form a dense
mat just below the soil surface and its leaves cast such
a deep shade that no other plants can grow under it.
Distinctive features: This shrub can grow up to 20 feet
tall. An easy way to recognize it from other similar
plants is to look for the four distinctive corky “wings”
that grow along its twigs, especially when they are
young. It gets its name from the fact that its leaves
turn bright red or purple in the fall. It forms red, berry
like fruits that split late in the season to reveal 4,
orange, fleshy seeds. A garden and yard escapee.
Status: Exotic.
Henbit (Lamium amplexicaule)
Native to: Europe, western Asia and northern Africa.
Effects: Plant is tolerant of sun or shade, heat or cold
so it can grow almost anywhere. It is often very common
areas that get plowed or tilled regularly, forming large
“seas” of pink in the spring. It can also grow from small
pieces of its stem, so chopping the plant (as happens in
mowing for example) only helps it spread. It also grows
well from seed. However, its growth in North American
habitats has few known negative ecological
consequences.
Distinctive features: This tiny, low growing plant has
square stems. Its rounded leaves have “fluted edges”
and sprout straight from the stem, opposite to one
another. The tiny purple flowers form in the leaf axils
and flowering starts very early in the spring.