Resources on Invasive Plants
It’s time to remove these invasives from your yard!
Clean Your Boat: Learn about Invasive Species in Waterways
(Courtesy of SeattleYachts.com and the students of Ms. Garcia’s class)
“Native wildlife is threatened by invading species. It’s estimated that more than 40% of species threatened with extinction are endangered by invasive species. Invasive species also pose risks to humans. They also are an economic risk factor. Entire industries, like fishing, depend on healthy aquatic ecosystems. Invasive species put the health of native wildlife and fauna at risk. Invasive species can also make a waterway unsuitable for recreational activities like swimming and boating…” Read More
Invasive Plants of Sligo Creek by Type
Shrubs
Click on the common name for a photo. The “More Info” links are being updated.
| Common Name | Scientific Name | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Japanese Barberry | Berberis thunbergii | ♠ More Info |
| Bamboo | Phyllostachys aureosulcata | £ ♠ Several varieties. Yellow groove Phyllostachys aureosulcata is the most common. More Info |
| Bush Honeysuckle (Amur) | Lonicera maackii | ♠ |
| Japanese Holly | Ilex crenata | £ |
| Japanese Knotweed | Polygonum cuspidatum | Changed to Fallopia japonica, a name not yet widely used. |
| Multiflora Rose | Rosa multiflora | ♠ |
| Privet | Ligustrum spp. | £ ♠ Other privet species also; none are native. More Info |
| Autumn Olive | Elaeagnus umbellata | £ |
| Rose of Sharon | Hibiscus syriacus | ♠ |
| Wineberry | Rubus phoenicolasius | A native raspberry, unsimilar in appearance, occurs in Sligo. |
£ The plant is found in only a few areas, though it might be numerous there.
♠ Indicates the plant was listed by Dorothy Salisbury as present in Sligo in 1970, although she noted most as rare or infrequent. See the Salisbury List.
Vines
Click on the common name for a photo. The “More Info” links are being updated.
| Common Name | Scientific Name | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Asian bittersweet | Celastrus orbiculatus | No native bittersweet is known to exist. More Info |
| Asian Clematis | Clematis paniculata | Native clematis also exists; see the Native Plant Inventory |
| English Ivy | Hedera helix | ♠ On ground and also in trees. |
| Japanese honeysuckle | Lonicera japonica | ♠ A native honeysuckle also exists; see the Native Plant Inventory. |
| Kudzu | Pueraria lobata | ♠ in about six sites. |
| Mile-a-Minute | Polygonum perfoliatum | |
| Porcelainberry | Ampelopsis brevipedunculata | Sligo has three species of similar-looking native Grape. |
| Wintercreeper Creeping Euonymus | Euonymus fortunei | ♠ |
| Wisteria | Wisteria sinensis | |
| Akebia | Akebia quinata | |
| Japanese Hop | Humulus japonicus | Found with mile-a-minute, west side of soccer field on north side of Dennis. Escape from cultivation. More Info |
♠ Indicates the plant was listed by Dorothy Salisbury as present in Sligo in 1970, although she noted most as rare or infrequent. See the Salisbury List.
Native vines include Poison Ivy, Grape, Greenbrier, and Virginia Creeper. We are saving these plants so as not to interfere with natural plant relationships. Please do not cut any vine unless you are a certified Weed Warrior and have approval to remove them!
Herbs and Ground Covers
Click on the common name for a photo. Look on invasives.org.
| Name | Scientific Name | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Bull thistle | Cirsium vulgare | More Info |
| Canada thistle | Cirsium arvense | More Info |
| Beefsteak Plant | Perilla frutescens | £ ♠ |
| Garlic mustard | Alliaria petiolata | ♠ |
| Lesser celandine | Ranunculus ficaria | |
| Mugwort | Artemisia vulgaris | ♠ |
| Periwinkle | Vinca minor | ♠ |
| Stilt grass | Microstegium vimineum | |
| Bishop’s Weed Goutweed | Aegopodium podagraria | |
| Gill-over-the-ground | Glechoma hederacea | ♠ ♣ |
| Indian Strawberry | Duchesnea indica | ♠ ♣ |
| Yellow Archangel or Golden Dead Nettle | Lamium galeobdolon | More Info Known only in section 6 |
Garden Bulbs – In some places crocus, snowdrops,and Star-of-Bethlehem are appearing frequently in grass and in the woods. Liriope and day lilies are also present occasionally, but not enough to be considered invasive.
£ The plant is found in only a few areas, though it might be numerous there.
♠ Indicates the plant was listed by Dorothy Salisbury as present in Sligo in 1970, although she noted most as rare or infrequent. See the Salisbury List.
♣ Spreading from sun to lightly shaded woods. We are not attempting to rid the park of it.
Aquatic Plants
Click on the common name for a photo. The “More Info” links are being updated.
| Common Name | Scientific Name | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Water Hyacinth | Eichhornia crassipes | * |
| Water Lettuce | Pistia stratioites | ♣ |
| Water Primrose | Jussiaea sp. | £ |
* About 200 plants found and removed by resident Dominic Quattrocchi from the upper pond at Forest Glen, July 2006.
♣ About 10 plants found and removed by resident Dominic Quattrocchi from the upper pond at Forest Glen, July 2006.
£ Discovered in 2005 in six stormwater ponds. Permanent removal not attempted.
Trees
Click on the common name for a photo. The “More Info” links are being updated.
| Common Name | Scientific Name | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Tree of Heaven | Ailanthus altissima | ♠ Please report this tree to the RIP Coordinator. |
| Flowering Cherry | Prunus avium | Section 6. Several hybrids present. |
| Mimosa | Albizia julibrissin | ♠ |
| Norway Maple | Acer plantanoides | ♠ |
| Princess Tree | Paulownia tomentosa | ♠ £ |
| White Mulberry | Morus alba | ♠ Sligo has a native Red Mulberry, with much larger leaves. |
| Yellow Buckeye | Aesculus flava | |
| Siberian Elm | Ulmus pumila |
£ The plant is found in only a few areas, though it might be numerous there.
♠ Indicates the plant was listed by Dorothy Salisbury as present in Sligo in 1970, although she noted most as rare or infrequent. See the Salisbury List.
Scientific names based mainly on websites and Brown and Brown’s Woody Plants of Maryland, 1972. Compiled by Sally Gagne, April 2004; updated July 2005.