If you find these species, email info@cipwg.org. Aquatic species reports will be forwarded to the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP). Be sure to include as much detail as you are able (attach photographs if possible) and provide your contact information. You may also report these and other species online at EDDMapS.org. EDDMapS is an online mapping program that can be used to track invasive plants.
Invasive and Potentially Invasive Plant Early Detection List
These plants are known to be invasive or potentially invasive in Connecticut and are on Connecticut's list of Invasive and Potentially Invasive Plants.
They are known to be present only in relatively low numbers at limited locations in Connecticut. These species should be considered for control and eradication efforts in the state when resources are available.
(P) indicates Potentially Invasive (all others are considered Invasive in Connecticut)
|
SPECIES (SCIENTIFIC NAME) |
SPECIES (COMMON NAME) |
ON CURRENT LIST? |
PRESENT IN CT?* |
GROWTH FORM OR HABIT | FACTSHEETS** | PHOTOS | GO BOTANY LINK |
| Arthraxon hispidus |
Hairy jointgrass (P) | Yes | Yes | Grass & Grass-like | Brandywine Conservancy | Invasive.org | Go Botany |
| Bromus tectorum | Drooping-brome/Cheatgrass (P) | Yes | Yes | Grass & Grass-like | PA DCNR; USDA | Invasive.org | Go Botany |
| Butomus umbellatus | Flowering rush (P) | Yes | Yes | Aquatic & Wetland | Invasive Plant Atlas; MN DNR; Montana; | Invasive.org | Go Botany |
| Carex kobomugi | Japanese sedge (P) | Yes | No | Grass & Grass-like | Invasive Plant Atlas | Invasive.org | Go Botany |
| Egeria densa | Brazillian water-weed (P) | Yes | Yes | Aquatic & Wetland | Chesapeake Bay; Maine; RI DEM |
Invasive.org Photos | Go Botany |
| Glyceria maxima | Reed mannagrass (P) | Yes | No | Grass & Grass-like | EDD Maps | Invasive.org | Go Botany |
| Hydrilla verticillata | Hydrilla | Yes | Yes | Aquatic & Wetland | Maine; UConn IPM |
Invasive.org Photos | Go Botany |
| Impatiens glandulifera | Ornamental jewelweed (P) | Yes | Yes | Herbaceous | EDD Maps; WA NWCB |
Invasive.org | Go Botany |
| Pueraria montana | Kudzu (P) | Yes | Yes | Woody Vine | USDA; WA NWCB |
Invasive.org Photos | Go Botany |
| Senecio jacobaea | Tansy ragwort (P) | Yes | No | Herbaceous | EDD Maps; WA NWCB |
Invasive.org | Go Botany |
Research List
This is a list of plants about which more information is desired. This is not a regulatory list or an official/legislative invasive plant list.
Plants are not necessarily listed here prior to inclusion on an invasive plant list. Rather, more information about these plants and their occurrence in the state is desired and current records are limited.
The Invasive Plants Council (IPC) is the body responsible for the Invasive Plant List under CT General Statutes Sec. 22a-381b. To request a species be examined by the IPC, fill out the "Guidelines for submitting a Candidate Species for Council Review" document available at the bottom of the IPC Criteria for listing page.
|
SPECIES (SCIENTIFIC NAME) |
SPECIES (COMMON NAME) |
PRESENT IN CT?* |
GROWTH FORM OR HABIT | Year on Research List | FACTSHEETS, RESOURCE LINKS |
| Actinidia arguta |
Hardy kiwi | Yes | Woody Vine | 2015 | LIISMA; Go Botany |
| Akebia quinata | Chocolate vine | Yes | Woody Vine | 2015 | PA DCNR; Invasive.org; Go Botany |
| Albizia julibrissin | Mimosa, silk tree | Yes | Tree | 2025 | PA DCNR; Go Botany |
| Notes on Albizia julibrissin: Problem invasive in southern U.S. Naturalized in CT. Seeds in yards where it's planted. Many observations in Boston, Cape Cod, Providence. Self-seeding has been observed. |
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| Anthriscus sylvestris | Wild chervil | Yes | Herbaceous | 2015 | PA DCNR; Invasive.org; Go Botany |
| Centaurea jacea | Brown knapweed | Yes | Herbaceous | 2024 | PA DCNR; Go Botany |
| Notes on Centaurea jacea: Established on power lines, rights of ways; coastal areas. Not usually seen in large masses. Some other states have banned this species (lumped in with spotted and black knapweed). |
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| Clematis terniflora | Japanese Virgin's Bower | Yes | Vine | 2024 | LIISMA; Go Botany |
| Notes on Clematis terniflora: Common in coastal areas; forms dense thickets | |||||
| Eragrostis curvula | Weeping lovegrass | Yes | Grass & Grass-like | 2015 | Invasive.org; Go Botany |
| Euonymus fortunei | Winter Creeper | Yes | Vine or shrub | 2024 | PA DCNR; Go Botany |
| Notes on Euonymus fortunei: Becoming established in non-managed/forest edges; climbing on trees; seedlings in floodplains. Reproducing by seed. Becoming increasingly common. Seed spread by birds. Not typically impairing other plants (yet). |
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| Hedera helix | English Ivy | Yes | Vine | 2024 | PA DCNR; Go Botany |
| Notes on Hedera helix: Becoming established in non-managed/forest edges; climbing on trees; starting to produce berries as winters are becoming milder. Crowds out forest edges. |
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| Hydrocharis morsus-ranae | Common/European frogbit | No | Aquatic & Wetland | 2015 | IPANE; NYSG; Invasive.org; Go Botany |
| Kalopanax septemlobus | Castor-aralia | Yes | Tree | 2015 | Invasive.org; Go Botany |
| Kummerowia striata | Japanese clover | Yes | Herbaceous | 2015 | UGA; Invasive.org; Go Botany |
| Lespedeza cuneata | Sericea lespedeza | Yes | Herbaceous | 2015 | Invasive.org; Go Botany |
| Ludwigia peploides ssp. glabrescens | Floating primrose-willow | No | Aquatic | 2015 | PA DCNR; Invasive.org |
| Oplismenus hirtellus | Basketgrass | No | Grass & Grass-like | 2015 | Invasive.org; USDA |
| Phellodendron amurense | Amur corktree | Yes | Tree | 2015 | Invasive.org; Go Botany |
| Phyllostachys spp. | Various bamboo species | Yes | Grass & Grass-like | 2015 | CIPWG; Go Botany; CAES |
| Pourthiaea villosa syn. Photinia villosa |
Christmas Berry | Yes | Shrub | 2024 | NCSU |
| Notes on Pourthiaea villosa, syn. Photinia villosa: Understory shrub. Red berries. Mid-Atlantic and NJ have this plant on their watch lists as well. |
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| Rhodotypos scandens | Jetbead | Yes | Shrub | 2015 | NJISST; PA DCNR; Invasive.org; Go Botany |
| Salix atrocinerea | Large gray willow | Yes | Tree | 2015 | Invasive.org; Go Botany |
| Salvia glutinosa | Jupiter's distaff | No | Herbaceous | 2015 | Invasive.org; LIISMA |
| Symplocos paniculata | Sapphire-berry | Yes | Shrub | 2015 | Go Botany; LIISMA |
| Utricularia inflata | Swollen bladderwort | No | Aquatic | 2015 | MA DCR; Go Botany |
| Viburnum dilatatum | Linden arrowwood | Yes | Shrub | 2015 | PA DCNR; Invasive.org; Go Botany |
*Present in Connecticut means listed as occurring in the state by the Flora Novae Angliae by Arthur Haines or a documented occurrence recorded with the Invasive Plant Atlas of New England (IPANE) or the George Safford Torrey Herbarium (CONN) at the University of Connecticut.
**CAES= Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station CIPWG= Connecticut Invasive Plant Working Group IPANE= Invasive Plant Atlas of New England MA DCR= Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation Maine= University of Maine Cooperative Extension MIPN= Midwest Invasive Plant Network Montana= Montana State University Extension NPS= National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior NRCS= Natural Resource Conservation Service, United States Department of Agriculture NYSG= New York Sea Grant, SUNY College PA DCNR= Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources PCA= Plant Conservation Alliance, National Park Service PennState= Pennsylvania State University Extension RI DEM= Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management UGA= University of Georgia Cooperative Extension USFS= U.S. Forest Service, United States Department of Agriculture VA DCR= Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation WA NWCB= Washington State Noxious Weed Control Board