Aggressive Natives

Where aggressive natives live at LREC and their control methods:

Ground nut (Apios americana)—This perennial herbaceous native vine spreads across wet areas of the prairie, smothering the growth of other species. To control its growth, we have tried mowing it and overseeding with native species capable of competing with it in this habitat. This seems to have halted the spread of the plant, but we continue to monitor the population.

Mulberry (Morus spp.)—This genus of native trees invades the prairie. We control these species by burning or by cutting the saplings and painting the stumps with herbicide.

Ragweed (Ambrosia trifida)—This annual native forb spreads aggressively by seed in areas of part shade in the prairie and woodland edge. It is a common cause of early fall allergies. We control it by cutting the plants as they begin to flower so that they are unable to set seed.

Blackberry (Rubus spp.)—This perennial native shrub spreads in sunny and partly shaded areas of the prairie. We control it by burning as well as by cutting plants and painting the stumps with herbicide in the fall.

Tall goldenrod (Solidago altissima)—This native perennial forb in the prairies grows aggressively, spreading by rhizomes to cover large areas. It is one of the most common species in our prairies. This species may be controlled by mowing in the summer.