Do you know what's really growing in your yard? Why we should all care about the threats of invasive plants.
The first summer after my family moved to our current home in Central Ohio, I loved exploring the different corners of our property to observe the plant life. Lanky deciduous trees and towering conifers stood along the back, and the perimeter came alive vibrantly with seasonal perennials and patches of bright-green moss. A cluster of young trees had established and was prospering in a small section, and I was pleased to see that nature was doing its job—healthy new growth and regeneration from surrounding trees, or so I thought.
It wasn’t until a couple of years later when our neighborhood gardening group invited a local representative from Pollinator Pathway, a national group that educates and supports communities in restoring pollinator-friendly habitats, that I began to see what was growing in my surroundings with new eyes.
The Pollinator Pathway representative introduced us to a variety of topics and resources related to the importance of native plants—or the species that occur naturally in a specified geographic area. These plants form reciprocal relationships with the native wildlife, creating sustainable ecosystems over thousands of years.
We also talked about invasive plants—non-native species that have been introduced to an area by humans (intentionally or non-intentionally) that threaten the native biodiversity of an area. Invasive plants impede how insects and wildlife can thrive, which ultimately impacts the agriculture and food production we depend on.
More than 150 food crops in the United States depend on pollinators, including almost all fruit and grain crops. (U.S. Forest Service)
The information I learned that evening became a catalyst to how I would view nature forever. I realized that my family’s small piece of the world isn't just ours to enjoy—but home to all the plants, wildlife and ecosystems that we share it with.
From then on, I began reading a lot about native and invasive plants and testing out different plant identification apps to see what was actually growing in my yard. The first place I started was that now-suspicious little cluster of saplings growing rapidly.
I quickly came to learn that those trees were actually an invasive species known as "tree-of-heaven” (Ailanthus altissima), a native plant of China that was introduced to the United States in the early 1800s. These sneaky species not only choke out the native plant life, but they also spread and grow rapidly.
Now that I could identify what they looked like, I started to see them everywhere: on the sides of highways, in yards, at parks—nearly anywhere I looked.
Since then, I've scanned my property regularly to eradicate the tree-of-heaven, which had also taken root elsewhere. There are specific processes involved in removing invasive species, and I have learned that even though I can recognize this particular type now, getting rid of them requires consistent and calculated efforts. They don’t want to go easily.
The sad truth is, this is only one variety of invasive plants that I have become experienced at identifying. There are several invasive plants in Ohio that threaten our native ecosystems, so there is much more to learn. (See list of invasive plants in Ohio.)
Without widespread awareness, what may appear to many of us as lush forest or beautiful tree-lined stretches of highway may actually be an area threatened by an invasive plant species.
“We have allowed alien plants to replace natives all over the country. Our native animals and plants cannot adapt to this gross and completely unnatural manipulation of their environment in time to negate the consequences. Their only hope for a sustainable future is for us to intervene to right the wrongs that we have perpetrated.” ― Douglas W. Tallamy, “Bringing Nature Home: How Native Plants Sustain Wildlife in Our Gardens”
While not every non-native plant is harmfully invasive, it’s worth getting more familiar with what is growing in your yard. For me, this has been a daunting task, so my goal is to work in sections, one area at a time. Through consistent effort, I hope to restore my property to a more natural, native state.
As we head into National Invasive Species Awareness Week (Feb. 26 - March 3, 2024), consider how you can take part. Download a free plant identification app and test it out. Come spring, avoid purchasing plants from box store garden centers stocked with non-native species and support your local nursery with native plant varieties instead. Take a little time to educate yourself and spread the word. The efforts are worth our time.
–Jill Span Hofbauer
Additional Resources:
According to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, top invasive plant offenders include:
Amur Honeysuckle (Lonicera maackii)
Autumn-olive (Elaeagnus umbellata)
Callery Pear (Pyrus calleryana)
Garlic Mustard (Alliaria petiolata)
Japanese Stiltgrass (Microstegium vimineum)
Poison Hemlock (Conium maculatum)
Lesser Celadine (Ficaria verna)
Morrow’s Honeysuckle (Lonicera morrowii)
Wild Parsnip (Pastinaca sativa)
Plant Identification Apps:
PictureThis
iNaturalist
Seek
GoogleLens
PlantSnap
LeafSnap
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