A field of phragmites in fall — Phragmites, an invasive plant © Paul Mozell

Invasive Plants in Massachusetts

All invasive plants were first introduced to our area by humans as landscape specimens or, in some cases, accidentally. Because they did not evolve in our region, the natural mechanisms that normally control these species in their home ranges don't exist. As a result, these non-native plants can out-compete, displace, and kill our native species.

More than 2,200 plants have been documented in Massachusetts, and some 725 of them are non-natives that are considered naturalized (established). Of those, 72 plant species have been scientifically categorized by the Massachusetts Invasive Plant Advisory Group (MIPAG) as "Invasive," "Likely Invasive," or "Potentially Invasive."

These invasive species have been banned for importation, propagation, and sale in Massachusetts by the MA Department of Agricultural Resources.

Common Invasive Plants in Massachusetts

These are some of the most common invasive plant species you're likely to find in and around your home. You can use this guide to help identify them. If you see any of these in your town, please let your local conservation commission know.

Resources

download Invasive Plant Guide (12.7 MB)

Autumn Olive with white flowers — Autumn Olive © Nancy Loewenstein, Auburn University, Bugwood.org

Autumn Olive

A deciduous shrub with white flowers in spring and bright red berries in fall.

black locust leaves hanging down over a lawn and sidewalk — Black Locust © Paul Wray, Iowa State University, Bugwood.org

Black Locust

A deciduous tree, black locust was brought here from the Appalachian and Ozark Mountains for erosion control and durable wood.

black swallow-wort vine with purple flowers — Black Swallow-wort © Leslie J. Mehrhoff, University of Connecticut, Bugwood.org

Swallow-wort

Perennial vines from Europe, Black Swallow-wort and Pale Swallow-wort can grow up to 8 feet long by late summer.

bush honeysuckle leaves with white and pink flowers — Bush Honeysuckle © Leslie J. Mehrhoff, University of Connecticut, Bugwood.org

Bush Honeysuckle

Native to Asia and Europe, these honeysuckles were introduced as ornamental landscape plants.

common barberry berries — Common Barberry © Leslie J. Mehrhoff, University of Connecticut, Bugwood.org

Common Barberry

Common barberry is an upright shrub from Europe that grows to 10 feet tall, although most plants are less than 6 feet tall.

common buckthorn foliage with dark purple berries — Common Buckthorn © Leslie J. Mehrhoff, University of Connecticut, Bugwood.org

Common Buckthorn

Common buckthorn is a deciduous plant with oval-shaped leaves and small dark fruit.

common reed — Common Reed © Leslie J. Mehrhoff, University of Connecticut, Bugwood.org

Common Reed (Phragmites)

Common Reed is a perennial grass native to Europe and Asia. It can grow as tall as 14 feet by late summer.

dame's rocket - purple flowers on green leaves — Dame's Rocket © Leslie J. Mehrhoff, University of Connecticut, Bugwood.org

Dame's Rocket

A perennial from Europe, dame’s rocket grows 2 to 3 feet tall, with purple, pink, or white blossoms.

garlic mustard — Garlic Mustard @ Richard Gardner, Bugwood.org

Garlic Mustard

Garlic mustard is an herb from Europe that was likely introduced for use in cooking.

glossy buckthorn — Glossy Buckthorn © Leslie J. Mehrhoff, University of Connecticut, Bugwood.org

Glossy Buckthorn

With shiny leaves and small dark fruit, glossy buckthorn grows as a deciduous shrub or a small tree up to 20 feet tall.

goutweed with white flowers — Goutweed © Leslie J. Mehrhoff, University of Connecticut, Bugwood.org

Goutweed

Goutweed is a perennial herb from Asia that was likely introduced as a groundcover for landscaping.

hardy kiwi leaves — Hardy Kiwi ©Sten Porse, Bugwood.org

Hardy Kiwi

Hardy kiwi is a woody vine that can grow more than 20 feet per year. Its fruits are green, smooth, and grape-shaped.

Japanese Barberry white flowers — Japanese Barberry © Richard Gardner, Bugwood.org

Japanese Barberry

A deciduous shrub from Japan, Japanese barberry has red berries, small teardrop-shaped leaves, and thorny twigs.

Japanese Honeysuckle shrub — Japanese Honeysuckle © Chris Evans, University of Illinois, Bugwood.org

Japanese Honeysuckle

Japanese honeysuckle is a perennial woody vine from Asia that grows up to 30 feet in length.

stand of Japanese knotweed — Japanese Knotweed © Mark Frey, The Presidio Trust , Bugwood.org

Japanese Knotweed

Japanese knotweed grows up to 10 feet tall, with heart-shaped leaves and white flowers.

field of Japanese Stilt-grass — Japanese Stilt-grass © Leslie J. Mehrhoff, University of Connecticut, Bugwood.org

Japanese Stilt-grass

Originally from Asia, Japanese stilt-grass likely arrived in the U.S. as packing material for porcelain.

Kudzu stand — Kudzu © David J. Moorhead, University of Georgia, Bugwood.org

Kudzu

Kudzu is a perennial, semi-woody vine that can grow up to 100 feet long.

mile-a-minute vine — Mile-a-minute Vine © Leslie J. Mehrhoff, University of Connecticut, Bugwood.org

Mile-a-minute Vine

An annual herbaceous plant with triangular leaves and blue fruits, mile-a-minute vine can grow up to 26 feet long.

multiflora rose infestation — Multiflora Rose © Leslie J. Mehrhoff, University of Connecticut, Bugwood.org

Multiflora Rose

Multiflora rose is a deciduous shrub with white flowers and red fruit.

Norway maple leaves — Norway Maple © Richard Gardner, Bugwood.org

Norway Maple

Norway maple is a deciduous tree that typically grows 40 to 60 feet tall.

Oriental Bittersweet berries and leaves — Oriental Bittersweet © Linda Haugen, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org

Oriental Bittersweet

A deciduous woody vine, oriental bittersweet can grow up to 60 feet long, with a base up to 6 inches in diameter.

Perennial Pepperweed — Perennial Pepperweed © Leslie J. Mehrhoff, University of Connecticut, Bugwood.org

Pepperweed

Perennial Pepperweed—also known as Broad-leaved Pepperweed—is a perennial herb native to Europe and western Asia.

Porcelain berry leaves — Porcelain-berry © Leslie J. Mehrhoff, University of Connecticut, Bugwood.org

Porcelain-berry

Porcelain-berry is a deciduous, perennial, woody vine from Asia that can grow 10 to 15 feet a year.

Princess-tree flowers — Princess-tree © Leslie J. Mehrhoff, University of Connecticut, Bugwood.org

Princess-tree

Princess-tree was imported from China and has glossy twigs with white speckles.

Purple Loosestrife infestation — Purple Loosestrife © Leslie J. Mehrhoff, University of Connecticut, Bugwood.org

Purple Loosestrife

A perennial from Europe, Purple Loosestrife usually grows from 3-5 feet tall, but can reach a height of up to 7 feet.

Sycamore Maple — Sycamore Maple © Leslie J. Mehrhoff, University of Connecticut, Bugwood.org

Sycamore Maple

Sycamore maple is a deciduous tree that typically grows 40 to 60 feet tall.

Tree-0f-heaven — Tree-of-heaven © Richard Gardner, Bugwood.org

Tree-of-heaven

A deciduous tree with compound leaves, the tree-of-heaven can typically reach 30 to 50 feet but can grow up to 80 feet.

Wild Chevril infestation — Wild Chevril © Leslie J. Mehrhoff, University of Connecticut, Bugwood.org

Wild Chervil

Wild chervil is a biennial or short-lived perennial herb native to Europe and western Asia that typically grows up to 4 feet tall.

Wineberry leaves and fruit — Wineberry © Richard Gardner, Bugwood.org

Wineberry

Wineberry is a deciduous shrub with upright arching stems and small flower buds, both of which are covered in reddish hairs.

Winged euonymus red leaves — Winged Euonymus © Leslie J. Mehrhoff, University of Connecticut, Bugwood.org

Winged Euonymus

Winged euonymus gets its name from the woody “wings” on many twigs. It’s a deciduous shrub that can grow up to 10 feet tall.

Yellow Iris — Yellow Iris © Todd Pfeiffer, Klamath County Weed Control, Bugwood.org

Yellow Iris

A perennial herb, yellow iris has long, thin leaves and bright yellow flowers, and it grows from 1.5 to 4 feet tall.

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