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Final Update, April 2022
Final Update, April 2022
Thank you!
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
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:
black alder
Japanese tree lilac
porcelain berry
Siberian peashrub
How you can help
How you can help
Look for and report the four species of concern using one of the methods below.
Great Lakes Early Detection Network (GLEDN) smartphone app
EDDMapS online
Learn about the species
Learn about the species
Black alder, Alnus glutinosa
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.
General identification
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
Flowers: catkins, spring - fall
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
Fruit: spring - fall
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, 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.
General identification
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
Flowers: May - June
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
Fruit: summer - early winter
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, 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.
General identification
General identification
Check out these helpful identification resources from the UMass and Virginia Tech.
Photo: Escaped Japanese tree lilac seedling by A. Gupta
Flowers: June-July
Flowers: June-July
Japanese tree lilac blooms in June - July, check nearby natural areas for wild trees.
Photo: Dow Gardens , Dow Gardens, Bugwood.org
Bark: all year
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, 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.
General identification
General identification
This resource from Vermont Extension includes background, identification and management information.
Photo: Jil Swearingen, USDI National Park Service, Bugwood.org
Fruit: September - October
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
Leaves: growing season
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
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