(Do not list at this time)

The following plants were evaluated for invasiveness by the Massachusetts Invasive Plant Advisory Group.  They did not meet the necessary criteria to list them as Invasive, Likely Invasive or Potentially Invasive at the time of evaluation.

 

Actinidia arguta (Sieb. & Zucc.) Planchon ex Miq.  (Hardy kiwi; tara vine)

A woody vine that is dioecious (i.e., with male and female flowers on separate individuals).  It grows in full sun to partial shade.  Can form dense stands; evidence needed to evaluate its reproductive ability and potential to establish new populations away from cultivation.

 

Akebia quinata (Houtt.) Dcne.  (Five-leaved Akebia; chocolate vine)

A woody vine that grows in full sun to full shade.  Can form dense stands; evidence needed to evaluate its reproductive ability and potential for establishment away from cultivation.

 

Catalpa speciosa (Warder) Warder ex Engelm.  (Northern catalpa)

A tree that grows in full sun to partial shade.  Preliminary data suggest that this species could be invasive in floodplain forests; more data is needed on its ability to out compete native species.

 

Cytisus scoparius (L.) Link  (Scotch broom; English broom)

A shrub that grows in full sun to partial shade.  Current evidence does not show that it is spreading rapidly from cultivation and out competing native species in Massachusetts. 

 

Elaeagnus angustifolia L. (Russian olive)

A small tree or shrub that grows in full sun to full shade.  Not currently known from minimally managed habitats in Massachusetts; invasive elsewhere in the United States; commonly confused with autumn olive (Elaeagnus umbellata).

 

Festuca ovina L.  (Sheep fescue)

A perennial grass that grows in full sun.  More data needed on its ability to outcompete native species in minimally managed habitats.

 

Ligustrum ovalifolium Hassk. (California privet)

Shrub.  Because of the difficulty in identifying privet species and the current lack of data, we have chosen not to rank most privets; further research is needed in identification and invasiveness.

 

Ligustrum sinense Lour. (Chinese privet)

A shrub that can tolerate full sun or shade.  Because of the difficulty in identifying privet species and the current lack of data, we have chosen not to rank most privets; further research is needed on identification and invasiveness.

 

Ligustrum vulgare L. (European privet)

Shrub.  Because of the difficulty in identifying privet species and the current lack of data, we have chosen not to rank most privets; further research is needed in identification and invasiveness.

 

Lonicera xylosteum L.  (Dwarf honeysuckle)

Shrub.  Reports of naturalized occurrences need verification in MA. 

 

Miscanthus sinensis Anderss.  (Eulalia; Chinese silvergrass)

A perennial grass that grows in full sun.  More data needed for minimally managed habitats.

 

EVALUATED PLANTS NOT MEETING CRITERIA (continued)

 

Morus alba L. (White mulberry)

A tree that grows in full sun to partial shade.  Reports of naturalized occurrences and invasiveness need verification in MA. 

 

Polygonum sachalinense F. Schmidt  ex Maxim.  (Giant knotweed)

Synonyms: Fallopia sachalinensis (F. Schmidt ex Maxim.) Dcne.;

                   Reynoutria sachalinensis (F. Schmidt ex Maxim.) Nakai 

A perennial herb that grows in full sun.  Data needed on occurrences in minimally managed areas in MA; highly invasive in the maritime provinces of Canada.

 

Populus alba L. (White poplar)

A tree that grows in full sun.  Data needed on occurrences in minimally managed areas.

 

Rorippa microphylla (Boenn. ex Reichenb.) Hyland ex A. & D. Löve  (Watercress; onerow yellowcress)

Synonym: Nasturtium microphyllum Boenn. Ex Reichenb.   

A perennial aquatic that grows in full sun to partial shade.  There is difficulty in separating this species from Rorippa nasturtium-aquaticum; more data needed on its current status on the landscape and its impact on minimally managed habitats.

 

Rorippa nasturtium-aquaticum (L.) Hayek  (Watercress)

Synonym: Nasturtium officinale Ait. f.

A perennial aquatic that grows in full sun to partial shade.  There is difficulty in separating this species from Rorippa microphylla; more data needed on its current status on the landscape and its impact on minimally managed habitats.

 

Rosa rugosa Thunb.  (Japanese rose; rugosa rose)

A shrub that grows in full sun.  This is a widely planted urban & coastal plant; listing it as Invasive or Likely Invasive does not accurately reflect all the properties of this plant; there are no data at this time to suggest that this species is disruptive to native plant habitats in MA.

 

Sedum telephium L. ssp. telephium   (Live-forever; orpine; witch’s moneybags)

A perennial herb that can grow in full sun to shade.  More data needed on taxonomy, nomenclature, and occurrences in minimally managed areas. 

 

Verbascum thapsus L.  (Common mullein; flannel mullein; velvet plant)

A biennial herb that grows in full sun.  Although MIPAG does not feel this species meets the criteria for listing at this time, its occurrence in critical habitats (especially limestone cliff communities) is of concern; species has not been proven to have outcompeting qualities; more data needed on this species and the very similar Verbascum phlomoides, including taxonomy, persistence, and their impact on minimally managed habitats.

 

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