Invasive Species in the Field Guide

This shrub can be found all over the state, since it was planted widely with the best of intentions. Despite its “pros,” this species has proven to be very invasive. It threatens native ecosystems and should not be planted.

This large, invasive carp from Asia eats mussels and snails and can damage populations of native mollusks. It is illegal to transport live black carp across state lines.

Sometimes a specific variety of a tree becomes so popular that the whole species becomes known by that name. This is the case with the widely planted 'Bradford' callery pear. Although callery pear has been hugely popular in landscaping, it can escape and hybridize with relatives. Alarmingly, it has become an invasive plant. Learn more about this problem, so you can choose your landscaping trees wisely!

This grass and the closely related yellow bluestem are both aggressive, weedy degraders of pasturelands that escape cultivation and endanger native habitats. Learn more about these Old World bluestems, and please don’t plant them!

Similar to kudzu, Chinese yam is an aggressive vine that overtakes nearly everything within reach that stands still long enough! Learn more about this invasive plant—and please don’t plant it!

Common reed is both native and exotic, but it’s the exotic subspecies that has become an invasive problem. Taking over wetlands with its dense stands, it changes the plant and animal communities and even the way the water flows.

When you drive through Missouri in the summer, you’re almost guaranteed to see the pink flower clusters of this plant, whose masses of green foliage coat the right-of-ways along highways. This weedy plant stabilizes the dirt after road construction but degrades our natural ecosystems.

At first glance, it looks like a chunky, pale gray mourning dove. It was introduced in the Bahamas and has rapidly spread throughout most of the United States.

This species is known to cause the death of up to 80 percent of the pine trees in an area, and it could soon arrive in Missouri. Help protect our pines, whether they are in backyards, Christmas tree farms or wild forests, by learning how to identify this troublesome insect.

Because each plant disperses a large number of seeds, garlic mustard can outcompete native vegetation for light, moisture, nutrients, soil and space as it quickly colonizes an area.

Accidentally introduced to the eastern United States from Europe, this species has been responsible for millions of dollars in damages to forests. You can help specialists to protect our forests by learning how to recognize the gypsy moth and its larvae and reporting any occurrences you find.

You might enjoy its fragrance, but don’t kid yourself about this invasive, exotic vine: Japanese honeysuckle is an aggressive colonizer that shades out native plants and harms natural communities. Learn how to recognize it!

Japanese stiltgrass apparently came to our country in 1919 as packing material for imported porcelain. Today, the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service works hard to inspect the crates and packing material arriving with overseas imports, to prevent more unwanted organisms from arriving in this country.

Decades ago, many invasive exotic plants were introduced with the honorable intention of stopping soil erosion and improving soils, but kudzu is one of the most regrettable of those introductions. This “vine that ate the south” is often the first plant that comes to mind when we think of “invasive exotics.”

Grown as an ornamental for its attractive pink flower clusters, its gracefully spreading branches, and its delicate leaves, this native of Asia is easily propagated and grows rapidly—unfortunately, it has become established as a weedy, invasive exotic in much of the state.

An invasive native of Eurasia that is spreading in Missouri, musk thistle is a plant you should know. Learn how to tell the difference between our native thistles and these bad guys.

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. "Reed" more about it!

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.

This large, silvery fish is an invasive, non-native carp that causes lots of problems. It is illegal to use this fish as live bait. Do not collect, transport or dump it. Related to the bighead carp, but with the head relatively smaller, and eyes higher on head. Keel extends forward to base of pectoral fins. No dark splotches.

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.

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, they are now classified as invasive for their weediness and the problems they pose for natural habitats.

This grass and the closely related Caucasian bluestem are both aggressive, weedy degraders of pasturelands that escape cultivation and endanger native habitats. Learn more about these Old World bluestems, and please don’t plant them!