List of invasive plant species in Massachusetts

Numerous non-native plants have been introduced to Massachusetts in the United States and many of them have become invasive species. The Massachusetts Invasive Plant Advisory Group (MIPAG) is a voluntary collaborative that was established in 1995 to advise the Commonwealth of Massachusetts on invasive plant species. They have categorized invasive plants as "invasive," "likely invasive," and "potentially invasive." The following is a list of non-native invasive plant species established in Massachusetts.[1]

Invasive

An invasive plant in Massachusetts is a non-native species (including its subspecies, varieties, forms, synonyms, and cultivars) that establishes self-sustaining populations in native or minimally managed systems and causes ecological or economic harm by becoming dominant or disruptive.[2]

Image Scientific name Common name
Acer platanoides Norway maple
Acer pseudoplatanus Sycamore maple
Aegopodium podagraria Ground elder; goutweed
Ailanthus altissima Tree-of-heaven
Alliaria petiolata Garlic mustard
Alnus glutinosa European alder; black alder
Berberis thunbergii Japanese barberry
Cabomba caroliniana Carolina fanwort[3]
Celastrus orbiculatus Oriental bittersweet
Vincetoxicum nigrum Black swallow-wort
Elaeagnus umbellata Autumn olive
Eragrostis curvula Weeping lovegrass
Euonymus alatus Winged euonymus; burning bush
Euphorbia esula Leafy spurge
Fallopia japonica Japanese knotweed
Ficaria verna Lesser celandine
Frangula alnus Glossy buckthorn
Glaucium flavum Sea poppy
Hesperis matronalis Dame's rocket
Iris pseudacorus Yellow iris
Lepidium latifolium Broad-leaved pepperweed
Lonicera japonica Japanese honeysuckle
Lonicera morrowii Morrow's honeysuckle
Lonicera x bella Bell's honeysuckle
Lysimachia nummularia Creeping jenny
Lythrum salicaria Purple loosestrife[3]
Myriophyllum heterophyllum Variable water-milfoil[3]
Myriophyllum spicatum European water-milfoil[3]
Phalaris arundinacea Reed canary-grass
Phragmites australis Common reed[3]
Polygonum perfoliata Mile-a-minute vine
Potamogeton crispus Curly-leaved pondweed[3]
Rhamnus cathartica Common buckthorn
Robinia pseudoacacia Black locust
Rosa multiflora Multiflora rose
Salix atrocinerea Large gray willow
Salix cinerea Rusty willow
Trapa natans Water-chestnut[3]

Likely invasive

A likely invasive plant in Massachusetts is a non-native species that has become naturalized but does not fully meet the criteria for designation as invasive.[4]

Image Scientific name Common name
Actinidia arguta Hardy kiwi
Ampelopsis glandulosa Porcelain-berry
Anthriscus sylvestris Wild chervil
Berberis vulgaris European barberry
Butomus umbellatus Flowering rush[3]
Cardamine impatiens Narrowleaf bittercress
Centaurea stoebe Spotted knapweed
Vincetoxicum rossicum European swallow-wort
Cytisus scoparius Scotch broom
Elodea densa Brazilian waterweed[3]
Epilobium hirsutum Hairy willow-herb
Euphorbia cyparissias Cypress spurge
Festuca filiformis Hair fescue
Glyceria maxima Tall mannagrass
Heracleum mantegazzianum Giant hogweed
Humulus japonicus Japanese hops
Hydrilla verticillata Hydrilla[3]
Jacobaea vulgaris Tansy ragwort
Lactuca muralis Wall lettuce
Ligustrum obtusifolium Border privet
Lonicera tatarica Tatarian honeysuckle
Microstegium vimineum Japanese stilt grass
Miscanthus sacchariflorus Plume grass
Myosotis scorpioides Forget-me-not
Myriophyllum aquaticum Parrot-feather[3]
Najas minor Brittle water-nymph[3]
Nymphoides peltata Yellow floating heart[3]
Phellodendron amurense Amur cork-tree
Pinus thunbergii Japanese black pine
Pueraria montana Kudzu
Pyrus calleryana Callery pear; Bradford pear
Ranunculus repens Creeping buttercup
Rhodotypos scandens Jetbead
Rorippa amphibia Water yellowcress
Rubus phoenicolasius Wineberry
Tussilago farfara Coltsfoot

Potentially invasive

A potentially invasive plant in Massachusetts is a non-native species which has not yet naturalized in the state, but is expected to become invasive in minimally managed habitats.[5]

Image Scientific name Common name
Arthraxon hispidus Hairy joint grass
Carex kobomugi Japanese sedge
Lonicera maackii Amur honeysuckle

References

  1. ^ "Invasive Plants". Mass.gov. Archived from the original on 2025-01-05. Retrieved 2025-02-06.
  2. ^ "Plants voted as: INVASIVE". Massachusetts Invasive Plants Advisory Group.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Hellquist, C. Barre; Straub, James (May 2002). A Guide to Selected Invasive Non-native Aquatic Species in Massachusetts (PDF). Massachusetts Department of Environmental Management.
  4. ^ "Plants voted as: LIKELY INVASIVE". Massachusetts Invasive Plants Advisory Group.
  5. ^ "Plants voted as: POTENTIALLY INVASIVE". Massachusetts Invasive Plants Advisory Group.
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