Michigan Invasive Plant Council

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Michigan Invasive Plant Council
An Introduction to the Council and Invasive Plants
Purple Loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria)
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Establishment and Mission

• Formed in 2000 as result of National Invasive
  Species Council Executive Order 13112
• Mission To Protect Michigan from the threat of
  invasive plants
• Membership Comprised of an array of stakeholders
  that include state and federal agencies,
  universities, non-profit agencies, private
  corporations, and individuals

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Initiatives

• Education and outreach
• Invasive plant assessment tool for scientific
  evaluation
• Provide technical support for statewide
  legislative efforts

Garlic Mustard (Alliaria petiolata)
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What is an Invasive Plant?

• National Executive Order defines an invasive
  plant as "an alien species (plant, animal,
  insect, bacteria, and fungi) whose introduction
  does or is likely to cause economic or
  environmental harm or harm to human health"

Common Reed (Phragmites australis)
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Invasive Plant Characteristics

• Invasive Plants (working definition) - Species
  which grow quickly and aggressively, displacing
  other plants as they spread.
• Robust vegetative growth
• High reproductive rate
• Abundant seed production
• High seed germination rate
• Longevity
• May be native or non-native

Common Buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica )
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Why Are Invasive Plants An Issue?

• Increasing rate of introduction with
  globalization.
• Loss of biodiversity plants and wildlife.
• Economic costs (agriculture, forestry, natural
  areas)
• Estimated 15 billion annually in United States
  (plants only).
• Competition with native plant communities.
• Interfering with natural succession.
• Indiana Native Plant and Wildflower Society

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Some Facts About Invasive Plants

• In U.S. -- 25 of existing flora is non-native.
• Only 1 of those plants have become invasive.
• But 50 of the non-native plants having invasive
  qualities were introduced as garden plantings.
• Estimated annual global cost of invasive plants
• 13-15 billion.

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MIPC Listing Process

• MIPC Invasive Plant Species List for Michigan
• Presently under development.
• Uses the Invasive Assessment System, based on
  sound, scientific and economic principles.
• Sensitive to Michigans environmental
  conditions
• To serve as the authoritative source on
  Michigan's invasive plants by ensuring credible
  and consistent analysis.
• Examines invasiveness of plants in natural
  areas, production areas and managed areas.

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Rating Criteria For MIPC Assessment System

• 1. Impacts on natural areas (discussed earlier)
• 2. Impacts on managed areas -- Focus is on
  production systems and managed landscapes.
• 3. Biological characteristics and dispersal
  ability
• 4. Distribution and Abundance in Michigan
• 5. Management Potential
• 6. Value (aesthetic, economic, conservation)

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Plant Species Currently Under Evaluation by MIPC
Assessment Tool
Garlic Mustard Common
Burdock Smooth Brome
Canada Thistle
(Alliaria petiolata) (Arcticum
minus) (Bromus inermis)
(Cirsium arvense)
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Plant Species Currently Under Evaluation by MIPC
Assessment Tool (cont.)...
Marsh Thistle Bull thistle
Orchardgrass Queen Annes
Lace
(Cirsium palustre) (Cirsium
vulgare) (Dactylis glomerata)
(Daucus carota)
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Plant Species Currently Under Evaluation by MIPC
Assessment Tool (cont.)...

• Common St. Johns Wort Perennial
  Ryegrass Yellow Sweetclover Common
  Tansy

• (Hypericum perforatum) (Lolium
  perenne) (Melilotus
  alba) (Tanacetum vulgare)

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Plant Species Currently Under Evaluation by MIPC
Assessment Tool (cont.)...
Reed Canary Grass Timothy Common
Reed Japanese Knotweed

• (Phalaris arundinacea)
  (Phleum pratense) (Phragmites australis)
  (Polygonum cuspidatum)

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Plant Species Currently Under Evaluation by MIPC
Assessment Tool (cont.)...
Common Buckthorn Glossy
Buckthorn Black Swallow-wort
European Swallow-wort
(Rhamnus cathartica) (Rhamnus
frangula) (Vincetoxicum nigrum)
(Vincetoxicum rossicum)
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How You Can Help

• Get involved with MIPC www.invasiveplantsmi.org
• Always be aware and responsible with introduced
  plants
• Remove invasive plants if they show up on your
  property
• Spread the word!

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Resources
Michigan Invasive Plant Council P.O. Box 27036,
Lansing, MI 48909-7036 www.invasiveplantsmi.org
www.stewardshipnetwork.org
The Nature Conservancy Wildland Invasive Species
Team. Information on individual species their
control. http//tncweeds.ucdavis.edu/ Univ. of
Wisconsin Stevens Point Herbarium http//wisplants
.uwsp.edu/index.html Great for information on
identification