Invasive Species: Striga asiatica, Witchweed
Witchweed is listed as a federal noxious weed. It is a parasitic plant that can infest agricultural crops and has been found in North Carolina and South Carolina. Plants are normally 6 …
Mahonia bealei, Leatherleaf Mahonia
Invasive Species: Mahonia bealei, Leatherleaf Mahonia
Leatherleaf mahonia is an invasive evergreen shrub that can grow from 5 to 10 ft (1.5 to 3 m) tall. Leaves are pinnately compound and 18 in. (46 cm) long, with 9 to …
Lonicera xylosteum, Dwarf Honeysuckle
Invasive Species: Lonicera xylosteum, Dwarf Honeysuckle
Dwarf honeysuckle is a perennial shrub that can grow 8 to 10 ft. (2.4 to 3 m) tall. Leaves are opposite, elliptical, deciduous, and 1 to 2.5 in. (2.5 to 6.4 cm) long. …
Ligustrum lucidum, Glossy Privet
Invasive Species: Ligustrum lucidum, Glossy Privet
Glossy privet is a semi-evergreen shrub or small tree that grows up to 40 ft (12.2 m) in height. This invasive plant out-competes many native species. The trunks usually occur as multiple stems …
Lonicera fragrantissima, Sweet Breath of Spring
Invasive Species: Lonicera fragrantissima, Sweet Breath of Spring
Sweet breath of spring is a multi-stemmed, upright, deciduous (evergreen in the South) invasive shrub. It grows from 6 to 10 ft (1.8 to 3 m) tall. The stems are hollow …
Vernicia fordii, Tung Oil Tree
Invasive Species: Vernicia fordii, Tung Oil Tree
Tung oil tree is an invasive deciduous tree that grows up to 66 ft (20 m) tall and has milky white sap. The leaves are simple, 6 to 10 in. (15.2 to …
Ligustrum sinense, Chinese Privet
Invasive Species: Ligustrum sinense, Chinese Privet
Chinese privet invades and damages native ecosystems. Privet’s dense growth shades out native plants, especially in the forest understories and along riparian corridors. Chinese privet is a semi-evergreen shrub or small tree that …
Chestnut Blight
Dogwood Anthracnose
Written by D. Kennard for Forest Encyclopedia Network
Figure 1. Stem dieback from dogwood anthracnose (Discula destructiva). Photo by Robert A. Anderson, courtesy of forestryimages.org.
Dogwood anthracnose is a relatively new disease to North America. It was first …
Balsam Woolly Adelgid in Fraser Fir
Written by: D. Moorhead and G.K. Douce for Forest Encyclopedia Network
Figure 1. Balsam woolly adelgid was first found on Mount Mitchell, North Carolina, in 1957. The Fraser fir trees located at high elevations on Mount Mitchell have experienced heavy