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NEW PLANT INVADERS TO WATCH FOR AND REPORT IN 2016

Contact(s): Kelly Kearns, 608-267-5066; Mike Putnam, 608-266-7596
May 24, 2016

MADISON - Spring and early summer is when the first wave of invasive plants are flowering and easiest to identify, and state officials say now is the time when they are asking the public to report occurrences of invasive plants.

Plants that are especially important to identify and report are those listed as prohibited by Wisconsin's invasive species regulation. Prohibited terrestrial species are those found in neighboring states that have not arrived in Wisconsin or have done so in small numbers.

"Citizen reporting of the early detection of prohibited species affords the best chance of eradicating these invasive species before they become established," said Kelly Kearns, native plant biologist with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.

Officials are seeking early detection of the following species, listed in order of their flowering time:

• lesser celandine or fig buttercup (Ranunculus ficaria);
• narrow leaf bittercress (Cardamine impatiens); and
• wild chervil (Anthriscus sylvestris).

People can submit photographs and reports of these and other early detection invasive species to Invasive.Species@wi.gov or via the Great Lakes Early Detection Network phone application (exit DNR).

Efforts to control and eradicate newly arrived, non-established invasive species in Wisconsin depend upon confirming known locations.

"We work closely with local groups to mount control efforts and would like to thank Wisconsin's citizens for their continued assistance," Kearns said.

For more information regarding terrestrial invasive plants in Wisconsin, visit dnr.wi.gov and search keywords "invasive plants."