A Natural Areas Inventory of the - Kansas Natural Heritage Inventory ...

found in undisturbed habitats. As a control, cutting alone is usually ineffective as large numbers
of stump sprouts and root suckers are produced. Targeting reproductive trees may help reduce
the spread of seed. Young seedlings may be pulled or dug by hand.
The species is not currently a problem at FLMR (but see general considerations for exotic trees
and shrubs).
Alliaria petiolata (Brassicaceae; common garlic-mustard)
Native to northern Europe, common garlic-mustard is now found in 34 states. A biennial herb of
the mustard family, it has no known natural enemies in North America. It is one of the few
exotic species that can invade and dominate the understory of forests. It is found invading the
understory of deciduous forests, forest edges, hedgerows, shaded roadsides, and riparian and
urban areas. Any type of control must be continued until the seedbank is exhausted. Fire may
increase total presence if not thorough. Once successful establishment is achieved, control is
unlikely without a large commitment of money and labor over an extended period.
Common garlic-mustard can become highly invasive, forming dense populations that diminish
native biodiversity or impede efforts at ecosystem restoration. This species is particularly
problematic in forests, woodlands, and edge habitats. Common garlic-mustard is locally
abundant in wooded habitat at FLMR. Once established, control of this species will be difficult
due to its abundance and distribution, and the precautions that need to be taken to avoid
damaging non-target native species. A working strategy is to survey high-quality woodlands and
remove any light infestations. We recommend mapping the existing population before a control
program is implemented in order to devise a control plan. Complete eradication of the species
from FLMR, while desirable, is likely not feasible and therefore minimizing spread to highquality
natural communities may be, at this stage, a more realistic goal.
Berberis thunbergii (Berberidaceae; Japanese barberry)
Native to Asia, Japanese barberry is a woody shrub with arching branches, yellow flowers, and
red berries, which can grow to 2 m. It is often planted as an ornamental hedge. It is found along
roadsides, fences, old fields and open woods. Mechanical removal may be the least intrusive
method of control.
Japanese barberry at FLMR is primarily found along stream courses in upland forest
communities. The species is not currently a problem at FLMR (but see general considerations
for exotic trees and shrubs).
Carduus nutans (Asteraceae; musk plumeless-thistle)
Native to Europe and introduced into the U.S. in the 1850s, musk plumeless-thistle is a large
biennial herb that can grow to 2 m tall. It favors abandoned fields and overgrazed pastures. It is
often found along roads, in old fields, pasture, and in waste ground. It can also invade existing
native prairie, grasslands, and glade communities, but will not tolerate shading in woodland
settings. Varying degrees of control have been achieved with chemical, biological, mechanical
and cultural control methods. Many types of control are ineffective if carried out while thistles
NATURAL AREAS INVENTORY OF FT. LEAVENWORTH II 190