Invasive plants
![](https://newtonconservators.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/treeofheaven-2-wpv_300x198_center_center.png)
Tree of Heaven
Identification A fast growing tree that can reach 80′ – 100′ tall, often found at woodland edges or openings and urban alleyways where it grows to get sun – it
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Porcelain Berry
Identification Vine with grape-like leaves; behaves like the bittersweet vine in that it climbs aggressively into trees and strangles them. Â To distinguish from a native grape, look for the multi-colored
![](https://newtonconservators.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/norway-2-wpv_300x198_center_center.png)
Norway Maple
Identification Most of the older street rees in Newton are Norway Maples; the prolific seeds have escaped into woods and unmanaged areas. Snap a leaf stem (petiole) off and look
![](https://newtonconservators.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/multiflora-1-wpv_300x198_center_center.png)
Multiflora Rose
Identification Long arching canes with scratchy large thorns that bend backwards. Groups of flowers (i.e. multi-flora), white to white-pink, forming multi fruits or rose hips. The compound leaves are alternate
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Lesser Celandine (Ranunculus ficaria)
Identification A spring ephemeral, perennial and aggressive ground cover. Â Yellow spring flowers have 8 petals. Â Glossy leaves. Â It forms dense spreading masses, through underground bulblets/tubers. It must not be confused
![](https://newtonconservators.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/jap-knotweed-1-e1594232604313-wpv_300x198_center_center.png)
Japanese Knotweed
Identification Bamboo-like jungle forming with green hollow vertical stems with purplish joints. Characteristics Spreads from the “knots” or underground rhizomes and root systems, also by seed, also dispersed by floods
![](https://newtonconservators.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/goutweed-5-wpv_300x198_center_center.jpg)
Goutweed (Aegopodium)
Identification Also called Bishopsweed, this is a perennial herb groundcover from Europe and Asia, spreading by underground rhizomes. Â Forms lush carpets of 1′ tall green. Â In summer puts up 3′
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Glossy Buckthorn
Identification Deciduous shrub or small tree. Leaves simple, oval with point, 10-12 pairs of veins parallel to each other. Bark gray with yellowish spotted lenticils. Scratched twig has yellow layer
![](https://newtonconservators.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/common-buckthorn-1-wpv_300x198_center_center.png)
Common Buckthorn
Identification Small tree or shrub, with oval slightly toothed leaves. Leaf has 3-5 pairs of veins that curve to be parallel to the edge of the leaf. The bark is
![](https://newtonconservators.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/blackswallow4-wpv_300x198_center_center.png)
Black Swallow-wort
Identification Black Swallow-wort is a perennial vine from Europe that emerges in June. Â It has somewhat glossy, opposite leaves (i.e. the leaves are in pairs exactly opposite to each
![](https://newtonconservators.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/barberry-4-wpv_300x198_center_center.png)
Barberry (Berberis thunbergii, Berberis vulgaris)
Identification Both Japanese barberry and common barberry (from Europe) are escapees from gardens, where they have become well established even though no longer for sale. Â Long arching canes of small
![](https://newtonconservators.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/asiatic-bittersweet-1-wpv_300x198_center_center.png)
Asiatic Bittersweet
Identification A woody vine (aka liana) that climbs and strangles trees. Leaves are oval, variable but always with a short pointed tip, and are alternate along the stem. There are