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Invasive, exotic pest plant species are defined as those species introduced far outside their native range by humans. Exotic pest plants can have major impacts in the natural environment because they are difficult and costly to control, and they have no natural competitors. Exotic pest plants can outcompete native species, introduce exotic insects or diseases, and alter the ecological services of an area.
A handful of these exotic pest plants can be seen at the Saturn site. The Land Use Team is working on managing these pest plants through a wide variety of methods, both passive and active. An integrated pest management plan is under development. Below, a description and a photograph of identified exotics at Saturn follows.
MUSK THISTLE
Carduus nutans
Description: spiny, sharp, multibranched stems; smooth, waxy, dark green leaves; purplish flower; grows up to 6 feet tall, one plant can produce over 100,000 seeds Habitat: thrives in open areas, such as meadows and prairies Control: herbicides, digging, early removal of flower heads |
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MULTIFLORA ROSE
Rosa multiflora
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Description: medium height shrub (up to 15 feet); oval, toothed, alternate leaves (about 7-9) on each stem; clusters of white flowers appearing in late spring; fruit is small, red hips—up to 1 million seeds per plant Habitat: generally thrives in disturbed lands such as fields, pastures, and roadsides or in dense forests Control: glyphosate herbicide- 2 summer treatments |
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HONEYSUCKLE
Lonicera sp.
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Description: can be vine or bushy shrub; white, yellow, or red flowers in late spring; leaves are opposite and oval Habitat: often introduced in open, successional areas, such as wetlands, prairies, streambanks, and forested communities Control: shading under larger trees, glyphose herbicide in late fall or summer |
JOHNSON GRASS
Sorghum halapense
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Description: tall, coarse grass; grows in dense clumps; grows up to 10 feet tall; wide, smooth leaves (6-20 in. long) with a prominent, white center vein; reddish-brown seedhead formed in large purplish panicles Habitat: invades open, disturbed lands such as crop fields, pastures, abandoned fields, and streambanks Control: intensive mowing, hand pulling followed by herbicide spray of young sprouts |
PRIVET
Ligustrum vulgare
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Description: semi-evergreen shrub (5-15 ft.) often used as hedge; small, oval leaves; clusters of white flowers (4 petals.), blooms in spring; blue, fleshy berries in winter Habitat: usually seen in wet, damp areas such as low woods, bottomlands, streamsides, and other disturbed areas Control: physical removal followed by herbicide spray of sprouts and seedlings |
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AILANTHUS or TREE OF HEAVEN
Ailanthus altissima
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Description: deciduous tree (approximately 6 ft. tall); 11-25 alternate leaflets with 2-4 "teeth" near base of leaflet; smooth, gray bark; odorous; small, greenish flowers which can produce up to 350,000 seeds a year Habitat: found in disturbed sites, vacant lots, railroad embankments, highway medians, roadsides, and fencerows Control: early removal of seedlings |
