Invasive plant species are a significant concern in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, affecting local ecosystems, biodiversity, and even recreational activities. Here are some notable invasive plant species in the region:
- Garlic Mustard (Alliaria petiolata)
- Description: A biennial herb with small white flowers and heart-shaped leaves.
- Impact: Displaces native wildflowers and tree seedlings by monopolizing light, moisture, and nutrients.
- Purple Loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria)
- Description: A perennial plant with tall spikes of purple flowers.
- Impact: Dominates wetlands, reducing habitat for native plants and animals.
- Japanese Knotweed (Fallopia japonica)
- Description: A bamboo-like plant with broad leaves and small white flowers.
- Impact: Forms dense thickets that crowd out native vegetation and damage infrastructure.
- Spotted Knapweed (Centaurea stoebe)
- Description: A perennial with pinkish-purple flowers and deeply lobed leaves.
- Impact: Invades grasslands and prairies, reducing forage for wildlife and livestock.
- Autumn Olive (Elaeagnus umbellata)
- Description: A shrub with silvery leaves and small red berries.
- Impact: Outcompetes native shrubs and trees, altering habitats.
- Eurasian Watermilfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum)
- Description: An aquatic plant with feathery underwater leaves and small red flowers.
- Impact: Forms dense underwater mats that interfere with boating, fishing, and swimming.
- Glossy Buckthorn (Frangula alnus)
- Description: A shrub or small tree with glossy leaves and black berries.
- Impact: Invades wetlands and forests, shading out native plants and altering soil chemistry.
- Japanese Barberry (Berberis thunbergii)
- Description: A small shrub with small, oval leaves and bright red berries.
- Impact: Forms dense thickets, which can harbor ticks and displace native understory plants.
- Reed Canary Grass (Phalaris arundinacea)
- Description: A tall grass with broad leaves and a dense growth habit.
- Impact: Dominates wetlands and riparian areas, crowding out native plant species.
- Common Reed (Phragmites australis)
- Description: A tall, perennial grass with feathery plumes.
- Impact: Forms dense stands in wetlands, reducing biodiversity and altering hydrology.
Management and Control
Controlling these invasive species often involves a combination of mechanical, natural and biological methods. Here are some natural strategies:
- Mechanical Control: Physical removal through hand-pulling, mulching, prescribed burning, soil solarization, thermal weed control, water manipulation, mowing, or cutting. These methods are labor-intensive and often requires repeated efforts.
- Plant Native Plants: You can plant native plants in your garden to remove invasive plants and curb the spread. You can also talk to your local nursery when selecting plants for your garden to make sure they are native plants
- Biological Control: Introduction of natural predators or pathogens that specifically target invasive species. This approach requires thorough research to prevent unintended consequences.
- Prevention and Education: Educating the public about the risks of invasive species and encouraging practices like cleaning boats and gear, planting native species, and reporting sightings of invasive plants.
Other Ways To Prevent The Spread Of Invasive Species Include:
- Learning to identify invasive species in your area
- Reporting sightings to your local land manager or county extension agent
- Disposing of unused bait in trash cans
- Avoiding live bait, especially in parks that don’t allow it
- Cleaning your hiking and fishing gear
- Not moving firewood
- Using native bait when fishing
- Volunteering at removal efforts
- Cleaning your boat before moving it to a new body of water
Although the efforts to eradicate the spread of invasive plant species is a long drawn out process it is something we need to be aware of. Keep in mind even a concentrated effort on your part, whether it be the physical removal of the plants in you own backyard or educating yourself and others on the subject is progress in the right direction.
At the Hideaway Tiny Acres we are making efforts to keep the spread of invasive species down and introducing more native species into our property.
Reach out to us if you’d like to collaborate on the subject on invasive plant species by leaving a comment below and signing up for our newsletter.
More later
Nancy and Don
- Efforts to manage invasive species in the Upper Peninsula often involve collaboration between government agencies, non-profit organizations, and local communities.