Find and report species of concern

Final Update, April 2022

2021 Find & Report: Final Report

Thank you!

 A quick summary of highlights: In total 33 new finds were reported and verified, 31 directly into EDDMapS and two black alder were reported into iNaturalist and then pulled into EDDMapS. There was no obvious range expansion for any of these species in the reports. Concerningly, 7/13 Japanese lilac tree reports indicated large numbers of plants represented in each report. More details can be found in the report linked on the left.

Project overview

Why do black alder, Japanese tree lilac, porcelain berry, and Siberian peashrub matter?

The Minnesota Noxious Weed List is reviewed and updated regularly by the Noxious Weed Advisory Committee (NWAC) which advises the commissioner of agriculture about invasive plants and regulated noxious weeds. One variable that the committee uses to assess a species' risk is the known distribution and density in natural areas as represented in the EDDMapS database. 

This project asks volunteers and concerned and observant Minnesotans to look for and report these species, when they escape cultivation, in EDDMapS to help improve the current known distribution and density:

How you can help

Look for and report the four species of concern using one of the methods below.

Learn about the species

Black alder, Alnus glutinosa

Black alder is a Restricted Noxious Weed meaning it cannot be propagated or sold in the state. It is a member of the birch family sometimes used to stabilize slopes and as an ornamental tree. It has been reported as invading native habitat in many eastern states.  It can sucker and form dense thickets and spread aggressively. 

black alder simple leaf

General identification

The Invasive Plants Atlas has a nice description of black alder, a tree that can get up to 50 feet tall, has glossy leaves and lenticel on the bark of young trees

Photo: Paul Wray, Iowa State University, Bugwood.org 

black alder cone-like fruit and catkin

Flowers: catkins, spring - fall

Long thin flower structures called catkins, on the right, remains on the tree throughout the growing season.

Photo: Paul Wray, Iowa State University, Bugwood.org 

black alder cone-like fruit

Fruit: spring - fall

Small green fruit develops in the spring and ripens  in a hard brown cone which remains on the tree into winter.

Photo: Leslie J. Mehrhoff, University of Connecticut, Bugwood.org 

Siberian peashrub, Caragana arborescens

Siberian peashrub is a Restricted Noxious Weed meaning it cannot be propagated or sold in the state. This large shrub is found in forests and other natural areas. This adaptable plant changes the soil chemistry by fixing nitrogen.  A single shrub can produce seeds making it easy to invade new locations.

Siberian peashurb branches and leaves

General identification

This Minnesota Department of Agriculture webpage has great plant descriptions and additional pictures.

Photo: Jamie Nielsen, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Cooperative Extension Service, Bugwood.org 

Siberian peashrub yellow flower

Flowers: May - June

Siberian peashurb has yellow tubular flowers on long stems. Compound leaves have 8-12 pairs of elliptic leaflets.

Photo:  MN Department of Agriculture

Siberian peashurb seed pods

Fruit: summer - early winter

Noticeable seed pods are 1-2 inches long and green in mid-summer. They turn brown and remain on the shrub into winter.

Photo: Robert Vidéki, Doronicum Kft., Bugwood.org 

Japanese tree lilac, Syringa reticulata

Japanese tree lilac is a commonly planted boulevard, community and yard tree. It is showing signs of invasiveness here in Minnesota. From June through July, Japanese tree lilac boulevard and tended trees often have very conspicuous white clustered flowers. Do not report planted and tended trees. Check natural areas near planted trees for escaped wild Japanese tree lilac and report those.

Japanese tree lilac seedling

General identification

Check out these helpful identification resources from the UMass and Virginia Tech.

Photo: Escaped Japanese tree lilac seedling by A. Gupta

Japanese tree lilac flower cluster

Flowers: June-July

Japanese tree lilac blooms in June - July, check nearby natural areas for wild trees. 

Photo: Dow Gardens , Dow Gardens, Bugwood.org 

Japanese tree lilac lenticeled bark

Bark: all year

Japanese tree lilac bark has many obvious lenticels. The inner bark, just under the bark, is bright lime green. Do not cut into tended trees. 

Photo: A. Gupta

Porcelain berry, Ampelopsis glandulosa

Porcelain berry was introduced in 1870 as a ornamental groundcover. It is now banned in several eastern states because of it's invasiveness. This perennial vine can become 25 feet long and has strikingly attractive spotted fruit in fall. Porcelain berry is in the same family as wild grape and has similar growth habits. If you see porcelain berry please report it to EDDMapS. 

porcelain berry leaves and berries

General identification

This resource from Vermont Extension includes background, identification and management information.

Photo: Jil Swearingen, USDI National Park Service, Bugwood.org 

close-up of porcelain berry leaves and berries

Fruit: September - October

The fruit on this vine is eye catching. The berries are speckled and can range in color from white, yellow, purple or green on the same vine at the same time.

Photo: James H. Miller, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org 

highly variable porcelain berry leaves, some with 3 lobs some with 5 lobs

Leaves: growing season

Young vines have lenticels while older vines are woody but do not peel. The leaves are variable but often have 3-5 deep lobes and serrated edges.  

Photo: Karan A. Rawlins, University of Georgia, Bugwood.org