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Nuisance Species in the Field Guide

Image of a black locust leaf

Black Locust

Robinia pseudoacacia

This tree, a member of the bean family, is easy to appreciate in May and June, when its showy white clusters of flowers perfume the breeze with their sweet smell. Bees like the flowers, too.

golden rain tree

Golden Rain Tree

Koelreuteria paniculata

This native of China and Korea was cultivated in Missouri for years, often in urban landscaping. Because it readily escapes from cultivation and is invasive, it is no longer recommended for planting in Missouri.

Image of an osage orange leaf

Osage Orange

Maclura pomifera

What most people notice first about this densely branched, short-trunked, thorny tree are the weird, softball-sized, chartreuse, brainlike fruits, which often lie beneath the tree in abundance in autumn.

russian olive

Russian Olive

Elaeagnus angustifolia

This small tree with distinctive silvery leaves was introduced to America in the late 1800s and widely planted as an ornamental and windbreak. However, in the Great Plains and western states it has proven to be invasive, where it outcompetes native vegetation and causes a host of ecological problems. Although it's not as invasive in the eastern United States, it could become a problem here in Missouri.

Related Information

  • Nuisance Native Wildlife

    Find info and help with problem wildlife, and learn how to prevent wildlife from becoming a problem.

  • Nuisance Native Plants

    Sometimes our native plants, such as poison ivy and sumac, can become nuisances. Learn to control them here.

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    For instigating itches, rashes and discomfort, few plants can compete with poison ivy.

  • Tall Fescue

    You’ve seen it a million times, now learn to identify it! Technically an exotic invasive plant, tall fescue is practically everywhere, from lawns to levees, and from pastures to (unfortunately!) prairies.

  • Sericea Lespedeza

    Decades ago, this exotic species was introduced in hopes it would provide hay, improve pastures, stop soil erosion and supply food and cover for wildlife. Unfortunately, it has proven to be an aggressive, invasive weed that is extremely difficult to control, escapes cultivation and outcompetes native plants.

  • Purple Loosestrife

    Anyone who’s seen what this plant has done to New England and the Northeast can tell you how invasive this plant is. Learn how to identify it, so you can report any findings to the Missouri Department of Conservation.

  • Wintercreeper

    Introduced from Asia as a groundcover, wintercreeper has escaped cultivation in all the eastern states. It’s frequently found near urban centers, with heavy infestations in woodlands around St. Louis and Kansas City.

  • Smooth Sumac

    This colony-forming shrub is most noticeable in early autumn, because it is one of the first plants to turn color—and boy, can it turn a brilliant red! If you're into wild edibles, you'll want to learn to identify smooth sumac, so you can make drinks and jellies from the clusters of fuzzy red berries.

  • Black Locust

    This tree, a member of the bean family, is easy to appreciate in May and June, when its showy white clusters of flowers perfume the breeze with their sweet smell. Bees like the flowers, too.

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