Virginia expands Invasive Plant Species List with thirteen new plants in latest update
Richmond, Virginia – The Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) has added thirteen new species to its Invasive Plant Species List, bringing the total to 103 species. Among the newly listed plants are Italian arum (Arum italicum), nandina (Nandina domestica), and orange-eye butterfly-bush (Buddleja davidii). These plants pose a significant threat to the state’s ecosystems, including forests, wetlands, and waterways.
Understanding the Threat of Invasive Species
Invasive plants are non-native species that can cause harm to natural resources, economic activities, or humans. Some of these plants were introduced intentionally, while others arrived accidentally. Once established, they spread rapidly, often outcompeting native species and altering ecosystems. The DCR’s list serves as an educational tool, updated regularly to help landowners and managers identify and manage these invasive threats. The list itself has no regulatory authority but is a resource for Virginians to become more aware of harmful species.
“DCR’s Natural Heritage Program has updated and provided this list for more than a decade, as a ‘know before you grow’ tool for citizens,” said Virginia Natural Heritage Program Director Jason Bulluck. He emphasized the importance of early recognition and action, noting that preventing the spread of invasive species is far more cost-effective than trying to manage established populations. “Anyone who has ever found themselves battling an invasive species infestation knows ‘an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure,’” he added.
The Impact of Invasive Species on Ecosystems
Invasive species can dramatically alter Virginia’s ecosystems by displacing native plants, reducing wildlife habitats, and changing natural processes. One particularly damaging species is the two-horned trapa (Trapa bispinosa), an aquatic plant that has been rapidly proliferating in northern Virginia. This plant forms dense mats that block sunlight from reaching native submerged vegetation and depletes oxygen levels as its decayed leaves accumulate, leading to degraded water quality and loss of recreational value in affected lakes and ponds. Management of these species is not only difficult but also expensive.
Managing the Spread of Invasive Species
The Virginia Invasive Species Working Group, created by the Virginia General Assembly in 2009, continues to work on strategies to mitigate the impact of invasive species. The group is actively updating its management plan to address the growing number of threats. DCR’s Stewardship Biologist Kevin Heffernan explained that some species, like the Bradford pear (Pyrus calleryana), may initially seem manageable because they are sterile or have limited reproductive potential. However, cross-pollination with other cultivars can lead to uncontrolled spreading, making management costly or impossible.
Heffernan also highlighted how easily invasive species can spread, even from seemingly contained environments like private gardens. “We think of plants as being rooted where you plant them. But many species have reproductive means by which to travel far from the parent plants,” he explained. Seeds can be transported by wind, water, or animals, allowing invasive plants like tree-of-heaven and butterfly-bush to appear in unexpected places.
Resources for Managing and Preventing Invasive Species
For those who discover invasive plants in their yards or gardens, Heffernan encourages removal and suggests opting for non-invasive or native plant alternatives. DCR offers a free online tool, the Virginia Native Plant Finder, to help residents find suitable native species that support local ecosystems by providing food and habitat for birds, butterflies, and other pollinators.
Residents who wish to report sightings of invasive species can do so through several online platforms, including EDDMapS, iNaturalist, or the Virginia Invasive Species website.
For the complete list of Virginia’s invasive species, visit the DCR website at https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/natural-heritage/invsppdflist.