Range Master Gardeners
Local Invasive Plants
Common Chickweed
Common Chickweed,
Stellaria Media, a member of the Pink family. It is an exotic
invasive plant-from Europe or Asia It has Ovate leaves. The flowers have 5 petals
that are clefted so deeply
that .they look like 10 petals. Chickweed is very common in lawns where they are kept short,
but can grow to two feet long
Buy on herbicide that says chickweed on the label
Mouse-Ear Chickweed,
Cerasteum Fontanum, a member of the Pink family. It too
is an exotic from Europe or Asia. It has hairy stems and hairy oval leaves. The
white flowers have 5 petals that are clefted so deeply as to look like 10 petals.
Buy and herbicide that says Chickweed on the label
Lesser Stitchwort
Stellaria Graminea. Member of the Pink family An exotic from Europe or Asia
Has narrow leaves. In gardens, it may grow several feet long.
Buy an herbicide that says Chickweed on the label
Purple Loosestrife
Lythrum salicaria.
Exotic,
Perennial
Member of Loosestrife or Lythraceae Family.
An aggressive plant with a tough extensive root system.
It prefers wetlands or around shorelines and forms dense stands of growth that will wipe out native plants.
It reproduces by fragments of roots or stems and by seeds.
To eradicate this plant, take a sample to a local U.S. Forestry office, Department of Natural Resources or local extension office to confirm that it is Purple Loosestrife.
Since this plant is usually by water one must be careful what is applied to these plants.
The personnel at the above offices would give you the best information.