Invasive

  • Wildflowers, Grasses and Other Nonwoody Plants

  • Photo of several reed canary grass plants with flowering heads
    Reed Canary Grass
    Phalaris arundinacea
    Reed canary grass is native to Europe, Asia, and North America, and it varies quite a bit. Our native Missouri version, for instance, is quite different from the Eurasian type that has been widely introduced — and which has proven to be highly invasive.
  • Photo of tall fescue plants
    Tall Fescue
    Festuca arundinacea
    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.
  • Photo of yellow bluestem plant
    Yellow Bluestem
    Bothriochloa ischaemum
    Yellow bluestem is a nonnative, aggressive, weedy degrader of pasturelands that escapes cultivation and endangers native habitats. It blooms in Missouri in late June to July, far earlier than our native bluestems.
  • Photo of large group of sericea lespedeza plants
    Sericea Lespedeza
    Lespedeza cuneata
    Decades ago, sericea lespedeza 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.
  • spotted knapweed
    Spotted Knapweed
    Centaurea stoebe
    Spotted knapweed is an invasive plant that outcompetes native communities, takes over pastureland, and even beats back invasive sericea lespedeza! It has arrived in our state. Let’s prevent its spread.
  • Sweet autumn virginsbower (autumn clematis) flowers
    Sweet Autumn Virgin's Bower (Autumn Clematis)
    Clematis terniflora
    Sweet autumn virgin’s bower, also called autumn clematis, is a nonnative, invasive perennial vine that spreads aggressively and climbs rapidly over any support. In late summer, it produces dense clusters of white, sweet-smelling flowers, which mature into fuzzy seed masses.
  • Photo of cut-leaved teasel showing flowerhead and joined, cuplike leaves.
    Teasels
    Dipsacus fullonum and D. laciniatus
    “Infestation” is the term for what teasels are doing in Missouri. Learn to identify these thistlelike plants, and help to control the weedy spread of these tough, prickly invaders.
  • Photo of white sweet clover flower cluster showing stalk and flowers.
    White and Yellow Sweet Clovers
    Melilotus albus and M. officinale
    These two species of sweet clover are present all over America. Although they have been planted for forage, as bee plants, and as nitrogen-fixers, white and yellow sweet clover are now classified as invasive for their weediness and the problems they pose for natural habitats.