Invasive Plants

Forest Invasive Species Guide

The Forest Invasive Species Guide is published in cooperation with the Iowa DNR and USDA Forest Service as part of the Healthy Forests in the Cedar Iowa Corridor Landscape Scale Restoration grant. The pocket guide highlights 19 invasive trees, shrubs, and plants. It includes quick ID photos and text as well as common management techniques for controlling each species.

Invasive species
Plant nameScientific nameLearn more
Autumn OliveElaeagnus umbellatahttps://plants.sc.egov.usda.gov/plant-profile/ELUM
Bull ThistleCirsium vulgarehttps://plants.sc.egov.usda.gov/plant-profile/CIVU
Canada ThistleCirsium arvensehttps://plants.sc.egov.usda.gov/plant-profile/CIAR4
CheatgrassBromus tectorum L.https://plants.sc.egov.usda.gov/plant-profile/BRTE
Chinese ElmUlmus parvifolia Jacq.https://plants.sc.egov.usda.gov/plant-profile/ULPA
Common BuckthornRhamnus cathartica L.https://plants.sc.egov.usda.gov/plant-profile/RHCA3
Common BurdockArctium L.https://plants.sc.egov.usda.gov/plant-profile/ARCTI
Common TeaselDipsacus L.https://plants.sc.egov.usda.gov/plant-profile/DIPSA
Crown VetchCoronilla L.https://plants.sc.egov.usda.gov/plant-profile/CORON
Dame's RocketHesperis matronalishttps://plants.sc.egov.usda.gov/plant-profile/HEMA3
Bush HoneysuckleDiervilla Mill.https://plants.sc.egov.usda.gov/plant-profile/DIERV
Garlic MustardAlliaria petiolatahttps://plants.sc.egov.usda.gov/plant-profile/ALPE4
Giant HogweedHeracleum mantegazzianumhttps://plants.sc.egov.usda.gov/plant-profile/HEMA17
HoneysuckleLonicera L.https://plants.sc.egov.usda.gov/plant-profile/LONIC
Japanese BarberryBerberis thunbergiihttps://plants.sc.egov.usda.gov/plant-profile/BETH
Japanese KnotweedPolygonum cuspidatumhttps://plants.sc.egov.usda.gov/plant-profile/POCU6
KnapweedCentaurea L.https://plants.sc.egov.usda.gov/plant-profile/CENTA
KudzuPuerariahttps://plants.sc.egov.usda.gov/plant-profile/PUERA
Leafy SpurgeEuphorbia esula L.https://plants.sc.egov.usda.gov/plant-profile/EUES
Multiflora RoseRosa multiflora Thunb.https://plants.sc.egov.usda.gov/plant-profile/ROMU
Musk ThistleCarduus nutans Lhttps://plants.sc.egov.usda.gov/plant-profile/CANU4
Oriental BittersweetCelastrus orbiculatushttps://plants.sc.egov.usda.gov/plant-profile/CEOR7
PrivetLigustrum L.https://plants.sc.egov.usda.gov/plant-profile/LIGUS2
Purple LoosestrifeLythrum salicaria L.https://plants.sc.egov.usda.gov/plant-profile/LYSA2
Queen Anne's LaceDaucus carota L.https://plants.sc.egov.usda.gov/plant-profile/DACA6
Reed Canary GrassPhalaris arundinacea L.https://plants.sc.egov.usda.gov/plant-profile/PHAR3
Russian OliveElaeagnus angustifolia L.https://plants.sc.egov.usda.gov/plant-profile/ELAN
Salt CedarTamarix ramosissimahttps://plants.sc.egov.usda.gov/plant-profile/TARA
Sericea LespedezaLespedeza cuneatahttps://plants.sc.egov.usda.gov/plant-profile/LECU
Siberian ElmUlmus pumila L.https://plants.sc.egov.usda.gov/plant-profile/ULPU
Spotted KnapweedCentaurea stoebe L.https://plants.sc.egov.usda.gov/plant-profile/CEST8
Tree of HeavenAilanthus altissimahttps://plants.sc.egov.usda.gov/plant-profile/AIAL
Velvet LeafSenna lindheimerianahttps://plants.sc.egov.usda.gov/plant-profile/SELI4
White MulberryMorus albahttps://plants.sc.egov.usda.gov/plant-profile/MOAL
Wild ParsnipPastinaca sativa L.https://plants.sc.egov.usda.gov/plant-profile/PASA2
Winged Burning BushEuonymus occidentalishttps://plants.sc.egov.usda.gov/plant-profile/EUOC8
Yellow Star ThistleCentaurea solstitialis L.https://plants.sc.egov.usda.gov/plant-profile/CESO3