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Now is a good time to report invasive wetland plants

Weekly News Article Published: September 1, 2009 by the Central Office

MADISON – Late summer is a good time to identify key invasive species threatening wetlands in Wisconsin, and people are encouraged to report sightings of three invaders – Japanese knotweed, purple loosestrife, and common reed grass also called phragmites -- whether on their own property or on public land, state invasive species experts say.

“Reporting these invaders is the first step to getting the help you need to control these invaders on your own property, and to help us tackle the problem on public lands,” says Brock Woods, who coordinates the purple loosestrife biocontrol program in Wisconsin.

Instructions for reporting and a downloadable form are available on the Invasive Species pages of the Department of Natural Resources Web site. The form includes questions on the type and size and density of the invasive species, and the habitat and location. Reports of purple loosestrife may also be phoned in to (608) 221-6349 or sent in by U.S. mail to Plant Reporting, DNR Endangered Resources Program, PO Box 7921, Madison, WI 53707-7921.

Woods says that purple loosestrife and Japanese knotweed are often in full bloom in late summer, making them easy to identify. Also, common reed grass can reach well over 15 feet tall at this time of year so that it towers over everything else in wetlands and is easier to distinguish from its shorter and benign native cousin.

All three plants grow taller than almost all other herbaceous plants and spread prolifically, squeezing out native plants and in turn the wildlife that depends on these native plants for food and habitat.

Once established, controlling these three species is very difficult, but common reed grass and knotweed are still uncommon over most of the state so quick local control can slow or stop their spread, Woods says. Loosestrife is already found on many thousands of acres of wetlands statewide, but Wisconsin has an effective biological control for this plant that is cheap and easy to initiate locally, he says.

“By reporting the locations of all three plants and taking some quick local action, you can save your beleaguered local wetlands and streams from further devastation,” he says.

More information on invasive species is available on the DNR Web site.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Brock Woods (608) 221-6349

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