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Invasive Management Area   Invasive Plants Invasive species are, generally, non-native species that cause ecological or economical harm. They share certain characteristics, such as being able to mature quickly, generate many offspring and can tolerate a wide range of habitats. For instance, Japanese stilt grass will produce seed in as little as 1% sunlight! Because of the characteristics that allow a species to successfully establish in new territory, invasive species make terrible neighbors. They out-compete native species for the same resources, eventually reducing the populations of native species (and in some cases even removing species from a community altogether). Some invasive species have more complicated effects which have ramifications higher up the food chain, resulting in fewer native birds and wildlife. The third main effect of invasive species is that they have the ability to alter natural functions of communities and ecosystems. There are well over 300 invasive plant species that have been reported from our area. The 20 species that were selected below are an indicator list - or basically a group of species that we're particularly interested in as they can help us determine how the community is functioning. Invasive Exotic Plant Management Tutorial for Natural Lands Managers The Invasive Exotic Plant (IEP) Management Tutorial for Natural Lands Managers provides a "one-stop-shop" for natural resource managers who are interested in organizing on-the-ground efforts to prevent, manage and control IEP's. Burning Bush Multiflora Rose Japanese Barberry Autumn Olive Privet Bradford Pear Pachysandra Bamboo English Ivy Oriental Bittersweet Japanese Honeysuckle Stiltgrass Asian Wisteria Chinese Lespedeza Tree of Heaven Garlic Mustard Porcelain Berry Mimosa/Silktree Mile-a-Minute/Devil's Tear Thumb Norway Maple To report sightings of any of these species in a Fairfax County park, submit the Non-native Invasive Species Report below. Please submit a separate report for each plant sighted. Plant Name/Species: Select a plant Burning Bush Multiflora Rose Japanese Barberry Autumn Olive Privet Bradford Pear Pachysandra Bamboo English Ivy Oriental Bittersweet Japanese honeysuckle Stiltgrass Asian Wisteria Chinese Lespedeza Tree of Heaven Garlic Mustard Porcelain Berry Mimosa/Silktree Mile-a-Minute/Devil's Tear Thumb Norway Maple Other: Where did you see the plant? That is, which park and nearest cross streets?: Date: (mmddyy) Phenology (that is, was it flowering?, fruiting?, just leaves?): Contact Info: Name: Email address: