Non-Native Invasives Plants of Concern in the Central Rappahannock and Regional Native Alternatives
Invasive: Acer platanoides, Norway Maple
Native Alternatives:
Acer rubrum, Red Maple
Quercus spp., Oaks
Tilia americana, Basswood
Invasive: Berberis thunbergii, Japanese Barberry
Native Alternatives:
Ilex glabra, Inkberry Holly
Ilex verticillata, Winterberry Holly
Viburnum dentatum, Arrowwood Viburnum
Itea virginica, Virginia Sweetspire
Invasive: Akebia quinata, Chocolate Vine or Five-leaf Akebia **
Native Alternatives:
Campsis radicans, Trumpet Creeper
Lonicera sempervirens, Trumpet or Coral Honeysuckle
Invasive: Ailanthus altissima, Tree of Heaven ***
Native Alternatives:
Cercis Canadensis, Eastern Redbud
Diospyros virginiana, Common Persimmon
Rhus copallinum, Winged or Shining Sumac
Invasive: Albizia julibrissin, Mimosa, Silk Tree **
Native Alternatives:
Amelanchier arborea and canadensis, Serviceberry
Cercis canadensis, Eastern Redbud
Chionanthus virginicus, White Fringetree
Cornus amomum, Silky Dogwood
Lindera benzoin, Northern Spicebush
Betula nigra, River Birch
Invasive: Ampelopsis brevipedunculata, Porcelain-Berry ***
Native Alternatives:
Clematis virginiana, Virgin’s bower
Lonicera sempervirens, Trumpet or Coral Honeysuckle
Invasive: Eleagnus umbellate, Autumn Olive ***
Native Alternatives:
Baccharis halimifolia, Groundsel
Cephalanthus occidentalis, Buttonbush
Clethra alnifolia, Sweet Pepperbush
Ilex glabra, Inkberry Holly
Itea virginica, Virginia Sweetspire
Sambucus Canadensis, Elderberry
Viburnum nudum and Viburnum prunifolium
Invasive: Hedera helix, English Ivy **
Native Alternatives:
Asarum canadense, Wild Ginger
Mitchella repens, Partridge-Berry
Parthenocissus quinquefolia, Virginia-creeper
Invasive: Ligustrum sinense, Chinese Privet **
Native Alternatives:
Aronia arbutifolia, Red Chokeberry
Ilex glabra, Gallberry, Inkbery
Lindera benzoin, Northern Spicebush
Morella cerifera, Southern Bayberry, Wax Myrtle
Viburnum prunifolium, Black Haw
Invasive: Lonicera japonica, Japanese honeysuckle ***
Native Alternatives:
Campsis radicans, Trumpet-creeper
Lonicera sempervirens, Trumpet or Coral Honeysuckle
Parthenocissus quinquefolia, Virginia-creeper
Passiflora incarnata, Purple Passionflower, Maypop
Invasive: Miscanthus sinensis, Miscanthus, Chinese Silvergrass **
Native Alternatives:
Panicum virgatum, Switchgrass
Invasive: Microstegium vimineum, Japanese Stiltgrass ***
Native Alternatives:
Leerzia oryzoides, Rice cutgrass
Schizachyrium scoparium, Little bluestem
Invasive: Pyrus calleryana, Bradford or Callery Pear **
Native Alternatives:
Amelanchier spp., serviceberries
Asimina triloba, Pawpaw, Common Pawpaw
Cercis canadensis, Redbud
Cornus florida, Dogwood
Diospyros virginiana, Common Persimmon
Invasive: Reynoutria japonica, Japanese knotweed
Native Alternatives:
Clethra alnifolia, Sweet Pepperbush
Itea virginica, Virginia Sweetspire
Ilex verticillata, Winterberry Holly
Invasive: Rosa multiflora, Multiflora Rose ***
Native Alternatives:
Rosa Carolina, Carolina Rose, Pasture Rose
Rosa palustris, Swamp Rose
Invasive: Phyllostachys aurea, Golden, Fishpole or Walking Stick Bamboo
Native Alternatives:
Juniperus virginiana, Eastern Redcedar
Invasive: Euonymous alatus, Burning Bush
Native Alternatives:
Itea virginica, Virginia Sweetspire
Vaccinium spp., Blueberries
Viburnum spp.
Invasive: Euonymus fortunei, Wintercreeper
Native Alternatives:
see English Ivy above.
***, **, *: Ranked on the Virginia Invasive Plant Species List as exhibiting high (***), medium (**) or low (*) levels of invasiveness based on their threat to natural communities and native species.
