Non-native invasive plant species continue to encroach into our public and private landscapes.  Left unattended, these invasive plants can dramatically change the look, feel, function and overall appeal of a landscape.  For example, a back yard pond can be overrun by purple loosetrife suppressing the native aquatic plant species and altering the pond's ecology.

Our staff performs invasive species plant mitigation services on large scale projects for the State of Michigan, other government entities and also offers management programs for residential property owners. 

A short list of invasive plant speces likely to appear in Michigan landscapes includes:

Garlic Mustard - aggressive ground cover plant
Phragmites - aquatic reed that can overrun wetlands
Purple Loosestrife - aquatic flowering plant
Buckthorn - small decidious tree up to 25 ft tall that can completely take over a forests' understory
Swallow Wort - a rapidly growing perennial
Spotted Knapweed - small perennial, an aggressive seed producer

For further information on invasive plants see the Michigan State University Extension link below

http://web4.msue.msu.edu/mnfi/education/factsheets.cfm