Invasive Non-Native Plants of Particular Concern in Virginia
Aggresive, invasive non-natives can quickly spread, cover, and kill native vegetation, such as this invasion of Asian Wisteria, Japanese Honeysuckle and Multiflora Rose. Image by Jan Newton, John Clayton Chapter, VNPS.
Invasive plants are introduced, non-native, species that cause health, economic or ecological damage in their new range. Fifty-seven percent of plant species listed as threatened or endangered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service are directly threatened by invasive species. More than 30,000 species of plants have been introduced to the United States since the time of Columbus. Of these, fewer than 3,000 have naturalized and become established in the U.S. landscape outside cultivation. About 1,000 naturalized plant species have become invasive pests that interfere with agriculture, forestry, transportation and utility infrastructure, lawn and garden maintenance, and natural ecosystem processes.
Of the 3,200 plant species in Virginia, more than 600, or 18 percent, have been introduced since the founding of Jamestown. The Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation currently lists 90 species as invasive.
Learn More About Invasive Plants and How You Can Help
Department of Conservation and Recreation, Division of Natural Heritage - Invasive Plants Page (view and download invasive plant factsheets)
Blue Ridge PRISM (Partnership for Regional Invasive Species Management) (view and download invasive plant fact sheets)
USDA National Invasive Species Information Center
Plant Invaders of Mid-Atlantic Natural Areas (field guide)
Plant Invaders of Mid-Atlantic Natural Areas, Field Guide is a portable resource for both novice and expert. This practical book is intended for people interested in maintaining or restoring natural areas - from parks and preserves to residential landscapes. Managing invasive plants is crucial if we want our native plants and animals to thrive. Plant Invaders provides information on 92 aquatic and terrestrial invasive species threatening our region, guidance on control methods, discussion of the effects of climate change on invasive plants, explanations and maps of ecoregions and physiographic provinces, and suggestions for native plant alternatives.
Is English Ivy taking over your yard? Learn how to conquer this invasive.
Non-native exotics such as English ivy (Hedera helix) - shown in the image above - spreads up and strangles a tree. Image by Virginia Witmer. Virginia CZM Program.
Video
Invasive Plant Control - Ask the Expert (July 14, 2021)
Jim Hurley, Blue Ridge Prism, answered questions submitted by the audience and explained details about herbicide use. Watch on the Plant NOVA Natives YouTube Channel.
Also visit campaign’s invasives webpage for more resources.
Periwinkle (Vinca major and V. minor), and winter creeper (Euonymus fortunei) are aggressive invasives, notorious for escaping cultivation and taking over the ground layer of unmanaged, forested natural areas. As these introduced species spread along the ground, they can gradually colonize acres of new sites and eventually smother and displace native vegetation, disrupt local food webs, and reduce habitat diversity overall. Attempting to replace these ubiquitous, ornamental invasives with sustainable, native alternatives is a good first step towards restoring ecological balance to the landscape.
Tree-of-heaven is a Significant Threat in Virginia!
Shown in Banner - Ailanthus altissima, Tree-of-heaven, by Beth Mizell, Blue Ridge PRISM. Learn more about this furiously agressive invasive - Blue Ridge PRISM fact sheet. Tree-of-Heaven is ranked high on the Virginia Invasive Plant List which reflects the significant level of threat it poses to forests and other natural communities and native species.
Native Coral Honeysuckle, Lonicera sempervirens. Photo by Dot Field.
Non-native and invasive Japanese Honeysuckle, Lonicera japonica. Photo by Leslie J. Mehrhoff, University of Connecticut, Bugwood.org
Regional Native Alternatives to Non-Native Invasive Species
The Regional Native Plant Campaigns identify non-native invasive plants that are of particular concern in the area. For each of these plants, the campaigns provide a list of regionally native alternatives.
Click on the links below for a list of non-native invasive and native plant species by region.
