Skunk Cabbage, Symplocarpus foetidus

Perennial herb with large, heart shaped foliage. Typically found in woodlands, wetlands or near streams. Its
flower buds can warm up to 70°F, allowing the plant to melt its way through the snow and emerge faster than its
competitors. The characteristically unpleasant odor it emits entices pollinators attracted to rotting meat.
American Sweetgum, Liquidambar styraciflua
Deciduous tree native to eastern North America. Produces a spherical, spiny fruiting head, known as a gumball,
which bears its seeds. Its wood is often used to make furniture, plywood, and boxes, The gum resin, for which
the tree is named, was used both medicinally and to make chewing gum.
Tree of Heaven, Ailanthus altissima
A rapidly growing deciduous tree. Native to China, it was brought over to the U.S. in the late 1700s as an
aesthetic shade tree. The traits that made it popular in urban landscaping—ease of establishment, rapid growth,
and absence of insect or disease problems—are the same characteristics that have enabled it to spread
aggressively in the U.S., crowding out native plants.

Japanese Knotweed, Fallopia japonica

Herbaceous perennial native to Eastern Asia. Introduced in the 1800s as an ornamental plant, it is now
considered one of the worst non-native plants in the U.S. due to its aggressive growth and difficulty of removal.
It can grow from 3 to 15 feet tall and in almost any habitat, crowding out natives and often damaging man-made
structures. Also called American bamboo, monkeyweed, elephant ears, and many other names.

English Ivy, Hedera helix

Evergreen perennial climbing vine native to Europe and Western Asia. While often cultivated as an ornamental
plant, it is a fast-growing climber that can spread throughout the forest floor and up into the canopy, blocking
sunlight to native species. It is aided by its aerial rootlets, which allow the vine to cling strongly to itself, trees,
and other surfaces.

New York Fern, Thelypteris noveboracensis

Perennial fern most common in the Atlantic Northeast. A wetland indicator that can survive in highly acidic
soil, it has compound leaves that taper gradually at both ends, a distinctive feature among the 10,500 known
species of fern. Ferns are ancient vascular plants, with some species dating back over 350 million years.

Winged Euonymus, Euonymus alatus

Deciduous, flowering shrub native to northeastern Asia. Its branches are lined with corky wings for which it
gets its name. Also called “Burning Bush” due to its brilliant red autumn foliage, it is a popular ornamental
plant for gardens and parks. The hardy and dense thickets it forms, however, displace many native species and
threaten a variety of habitats, including forests, coastal scrublands, and prairies.
Norway Maple, Acer platanoides
A large deciduous maple tree native to Europe and western Asia. Introduced into the United States in the mid-
1700s as a shade tree, it is tolerant of many growing conditions, has very shallow roots, and is a prolific seed
producer, enabling it to quickly establish itself in forests. It can grow 40-60 feet tall.

Mugwort, Artemisia vulgaris

Perennial forb native to Europe and eastern Asia, where it was historically used as a medicinal herb. Likely
introduced into the United States in the early 1500s by Jesuit missionaries, it spreads aggressively through an
extensive rhizome system and will readily form large, mono-specific stands. A single plant can produce up to
200,000 seeds, disrupting native ecosystems. Mugwort pollen is a common cause of hay fever.

Jewelweed, Impatiens capensis

Tall, leafy annual native to North America. Also called “touch-me-not”, its beautiful orange flowers can burst
open at the slightest touch when ripe. Its common name is likely due to the silver or ‘jeweled’ appearance of its
leaves when underwater. Sap from the stem and leaves can relieve symptoms from hives and poison ivy, and
can even treat athlete’s food due to its anti-fungal properties.
Japanese Maple, Acer palmatum

Woody, deciduous shrub or small tree native to Asia. There is great variation in this species due to its long
history of cultivation; the red maple variety has been cultured intensively for over 300 years. The red leaves are
called “momiji” in Japan and their annual color change (called “kouyou” and written with the same kanji
symbols) is a sight that attracts tourists worldwide.

Garlic Mustard, Alliaria petiolate

Biennial flowering herb native to Europe and named for the strong garlic odor the leaves release when crushed.
The earliest known report of it in the U.S. dates to 1868, in Long Island. Young leaves can be eaten and are one
of the oldest spices used in Europe: pottery depicts its use dating to 4100 BCE. Its thick mat formations, wind-
dispersed seeds, and early spring emergence make it highly detrimental to understory natives.

Devil’s Walking Stick, Aralia spinosa

Deciduous woody shrub or small tree native to eastern North America. Named for the sharp spines found on its
large, upright stems; it is also called Hercules Club. It can grow to over 30 feet high and its triply compound
leaves are the largest leaves of any temperate tree in the U.S.

Porcelain berry, Ampelopsis brevipedunculata

Deciduous, woody, perennial climbing vine native to northeast Asia. The dazzling, colorful berries for which it
is named are also why it is often planted ornamentally, despite being one of the most detrimental species to
native flora. Vines can grow over 20 feet tall in a single season by climbing nearby plants, often overtaking
them and blocking access to sunlight.
Mile-a-Minute Weed, Persicaria perfoliate
Trailing, herbaceous annual vine native to eastern Asia. Easily identified by its triangular leaves, barbed stems,
and metallic blue fruits in late summer. It’s named for its rapid expansion: each vine can grow 6 inches per day
during peak growing season, totaling up to 30 feet long. The dense foliage blankets and suffocates native
vegetation, making it extremely destructive despite being an annual plant.

Virginia Creeper, Parthenocissus quinquefolia

Deciduous, woody vine native to eastern and central North America. Often mistaken for poison ivy, hence the
rhyme, “Leaves of three let it be; Leaves of five, let it thrive.” While less harmful, the sap within its leaves and
stem can sometimes irritate skin, and its berries are very harmful if ingested. It can climb trees as high as 40 feet
by using its adhesive tendrils, making it a common choice for ornamental use as it does not penetrate man-made
structures (although its aggressive growth can still cause issues).

Burdock, Arctium lappa

Weedy, biennial wildflower native to Europe and Asia. Known for its prickly burrs which catch on easily to fur
and clothing. These burrs were the inspiration for velcro: inventor George de Mestral came up with the idea
after examining burdock seeds in 1948. In fact, “burdock” and “velcro” share the same word in Serbo-Croatian
(‘čičak') and Turkish ('pitrak').
Eastern Black Walnut, Juglans nigra
Deciduous tree native to North America. Grown for both lumber and food, many variants have been bred for
improved quality wood or nuts. It can suppress the growth of certain nearby plants by releasing toxic juglone
through its roots, a process known as allelopathy.

Kudzu, Pueraria montana

Climbing, coiling, and trailing perennial vines native to Asia. Initially promoted in the U.S. as a means to stop
soil erosion in the 1930s, it was planted in abudance throughout the south. The fast-growing vines root at the
nodes and spread through runners, growing one foot a day and rapidly shading native plants. It has earned its
nickname as the "the vine that ate the South."

American Sycamore, Platanus occidentalis

Wide-canopied, deciduous tree native to eastern North America. Easily identified by its bark, which exfoliates
to reveal a smooth, white inner layer. It can grow as tall as 100 feet and have a trunk diameter of over 10. Its
wood is commonly used for woodworking. Native Americans used sections of their trunks for canoes, and the
hollow trunks of old, giant trees were homes for chimney sweeps in earlier times.

American Elm, Ulmus americana

Native to eastern North America, the iconic American elm was planted extensively throughout U.S. cities in the
1800s. Its umbrella-like shape and tall height made it the perfect shade tree to line streets and parks with until
the introduction of Dutch elm disease in the 1930s devasted the population. Spread by beetles and through elm
roots, only 34 million of the estimated 77 million elms in urban locations remained by 1976. While there is no
cure, DED-resistant strains of elms have been developed and are available for planting.

English Oak, Quercus robur

Deciduous tree native to Eurasia. Known for its short stout trunk and wide-spreading branches, it arrived in the
U.S. in the 1600s and has been an essential source of timber for furniture and shipbuilding. They support many
species of insects, who live on their leaves, buds, and in acorns, which also provide a valuable food source for
small mammals and birds.

Cherry Bark Oak, Quercus pagoda

Native deciduous tree common in the Southern U.S. One of the most highly valued red oaks, its wood is strong,
heavy, and relatively free of knots due to its self-pruning nature. It is also an excellent shade tree and can attain
heights of over 100 feet. The acorns are a significant part of many animal diets, including squirrels, raccoons,
and many birds.

American Beech, Fagus grandifolia

Deciduous tree native to eastern North America. Its wide-spreading canopy makes for an excellent shade tree
and its nuts are an important food source for many birds and small mammals. They can live for up to 400 years,
and unlike most trees, retain their smooth bark in age. Early settlers used them as indicators of fertile soil and
therefore prime locations for farmland.

Eastern White Pine, Pinus strobus

Evergreen native to eastern North America. Its blue-green needles can reach 5 inches in length and are flexible,
soft to the touch, and grow in bundles – called fascicles – of five. While they typically grow 50 - 80 feet in
height, they can grow much larger with the right soil and conditions: one of the tallest recorded trees in New
York State was an Eastern White Pine in the Adirondacks, dubbed Tree 103, which stood at 160 feet tall.
Tulip Poplar, Liriodendron tulipifera
Deciduous tree native to eastern U.S. More closely related to magnolia, its named after the shape of its
greenish-yellow and orange flowers. The color base of the flower guides bees to the abundant nectar within,
which also yields a dark honey favored by bakers. It can grow 90 to 120 feet tall. “Queens Giant” in Alley Pond
is the tallest measured tree in New York City at 134 feet tall. Estimated at over 450 years old, it is likely also
the oldest living organism in the city.

Asiatic Bittersweet Vine, Celastrus orbiculatus

Perennial, deciduous woody vine native to Eastern Asia. Introduced to the U.S. in the 1860s as an ornamental
plant, its vines grow vigorously towards sunlight and sprawl over nearby shrubs, trees, and other plants. The
thick masses produced can reach heights of 100 feet, rapidly shading host plants and constricting their vascular
systems. Weakened trees can even be uprooted by the sheer weight of the vines.

Eastern Poison Ivy, Toxicodendron radicans

Woody, perennial vine or small shrub native to eastern North America and a member of the cashew and
pistachio family, despite its name. Although a common food source for many animals, it is the ultimate weed
for humans. All parts contain urushiol, a clear, toxic liquid that causes allergic reactions in most people who
touch it. Clothing and other objects can also carry the urushiol and cause reactions when contacted long after
exposure. As its appearance can be highly variable by season and age, knowing which features can reliably
identify poison ivy is essential: leaves always grow in groups of three, alternate in a left-then-right pattern on
the vine, and will always have a smooth surface with pointed tips; the plant also has no thorns.

Phragmites, Phragmites australis

Perennial reed grass native to Europe. While there are native species, non-native varieties introduced in the
early 19th century pose significant threats to wetlands throughout the U.S. Growing over 15 feet tall,
phragmites spreads quickly and creates tall, dense strands which crowd out or shade native species, turning
biodiverse habitats into monocultures that offer little to no food or shelter for wildlife.