Great Lakes

Alliaria petiolata 

Invader Scientific and Common Name Alternative Scientific Name Alternative Common Name Plant Type Sources
Alliaria petiolata (garlic mustard)
Actaea pachypoda White baneberry Ohio Department of Natural Resources,

The Nature Conservancy

Aquilegia canadensis Columbine Ohio Department of Natural Resources,

The Nature Conservancy

Phlox divaricata Blue phlox Ohio Department of Natural Resources,

The Nature Conservancy

Cimicifuga racemosa Black cohosh Ohio Department of Natural Resources,

The Nature Conservancy

Azolla pinnata 

Invader Scientific and Common Name Alternative Scientific Name Alternative Common Name Plant Type Sources
Azolla pinnata (mosquito fern)
Lemna minor Common duck weed Floating Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant

Butomus umbellatus

Invader Scientific and Common Name Alternative Scientific Name Alternative Common Name Plant Type Sources
Butomus umbellatus (flowering rush)
Juncus effusus Common rush, soft rush Marginal Midwest Invasive Plant Network,

City of Chicago,

Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant

Schoenoplectus pungens Common threesquare Marginal Midwest Invasive Plant Network,

City of Chicago,

Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant

Schoenoplectus acutus Hardstem bulrush Marginal Midwest Invasive Plant Network,

City of Chicago,

Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant

Sagittaria latifolia Broadleaf arrowhead Marginal Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant

Cabomba caroliniana

Invader Scientific and Common Name Alternative Scientific Name Alternative Common Name Plant Type Sources
Cabomba caroliniana (Carolina fanwort)
Elodea canadensis American waterweed Submerged Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant

Channa spp.

Invader Scientific and Common Name Alternative Scientific Name Alternative Common Name Plant Type Sources
Channa spp.(snakehead)
Lepisosteus platostomus Short-nosed gar City of Chicago

Cipangopaludina chinensis

Invader Scientific and Common Name Alternative Scientific Name Alternative Common Name Plant Type Sources
Cipangopaludina chinensis (Chinese mystery snail)
Pomacea bridgesii Tropical apple snail City of Chicago

Egeria densa

Invader Scientific and Common Name Alternative Scientific Name Alternative Common Name Plant Type Sources
Egeria densa (Brazilian elodea, waterweed)
Elodea canadensis Canadian waterweed Submerged City of Chicago,

Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant

Eichornia crassipes

Invader Scientific and Common Name Alternative Scientific Name Alternative Common Name Plant Type Sources
Eichornia crassipes (water hyacinth)
Pontederia cordata Pickerel weed Free floating City of Chicago,

Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant

Peltandra virginica Arrow arum City of Chicago,

Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant

Nymphae ordorata White water lily City of Chicago,

Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant

Glyceria maxima

Invader Scientific and Common Name Alternative Scientific Name Alternative Common Name Plant Type Sources
Glyceria maxima (reed managrass)
Glyceria canadensis Rattlesnake mana grass Marginal Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant

Hydrilla verticillata

Invader Scientific and Common Name Alternative Scientific Name Alternative Common Name Plant Type Sources
Hydrilla verticillata (hydrilla)
Elodea canadensis Canadian waterweed Submerged City of Chicago,

Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant

Vallisneria americana Wild celery City of Chicago,

Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant

Potamogeton pectinatus Sago pondweed City of Chicago,

Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant

Hydrocharis morsus-ranae

Invader Scientific and Common Name Alternative Scientific Name Alternative Common Name Plant Type Sources
Hydrocharis morsus-ranae (European frogbit)
Nuphar advena Yellow pond lily City of Chicago,

Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant

Nuphar variegatum Bullhead lily City of Chicago
Nymphae ordorata White water lily City of Chicago,

Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant

Nuphar variegata Variegated pond lily Floating Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant
Limnobium spongia American frogbit Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant

Ipomoea aquatica

Invader Scientific and Common Name Alternative Scientific Name Alternative Common Name Plant Type Sources
Ipomoea aquatica (water spinach)
Justicia americana American water willow City of Chicago

Iris pseudacorus 

Invader Scientific and Common Name Alternative Scientific Name Alternative Common Name Plant Type Sources
Iris pseudacorus (yellow flag iris)
Iris spp. Louisiana iris Cornell University Cooperative Extension
Iris x pseudata Pseudata iris Cornell University Cooperative Extension
Iris ensata Japanese iris Cornell University Cooperative Extension
Iris versicolor Blueflag iris Cornell University Cooperative Extension

Lagarosiphon major

Invader Scientific and Common Name Alternative Scientific Name Alternative Common Name Plant Type Sources
Lagarosiphon major (oxygen weed, African elodea)
Elodea canadensis American waterweed Submerged Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant

Ludwigia grandiflora subsp. hexapetala

Invader Scientific and Common Name Alternative Scientific Name Alternative Common Name Plant Type Sources
Ludwigia grandiflora subsp. hexapetala (large-flower primrose-willow)
Iris versicolor Blue flag iris Marginal Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant
Decodon verticillatus Swamp loosestrife Marginal Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant
Saururus cernuus Lizard’s tail Marginal Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant
Acorus calamus Sweet flag Marginal Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant
Juncus effusus Soft rush Marginal Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant

Lysimachia nummularia

Invader Scientific and Common Name Alternative Scientific Name Alternative Common Name Plant Type Sources
Lysimachia nummularia (creeping jenny, moneywort)
Chrysogonum virginianum Green and gold Cornell University Cooperative Extension
Lamium maculatum Spotted dead nettle Cornell University Cooperative Extension
Mazus reptans Creeping mazus Cornell University Cooperative Extension
Waldsteinia ternata Siberian barren-strawberry Cornell University Cooperative Extension
Heuchera Coral bells Cornell University Cooperative Extension
X Heucherella Foamy bells Cornell University Cooperative Extension
Sedum acre Goldmoss stonecrop Cornell University Cooperative Extension
Sedum makinoi Japanese stonecrop Cornell University Cooperative Extension
Veronica prostrata Creeping speedwell Cornell University Cooperative Extension
Veronica repens Creeping speedwell Cornell University Cooperative Extension

Lythrum salicaria

Invader Scientific and Common Name Alternative Scientific Name Alternative Common Name Plant Type Sources
Lythrum salicaria (purple loosestrife)
Decodon verticillatus Swamp loosestrife Marginal Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant
Saururus cernuus Lizard’s tail Marginal Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant
Acorus calamus Sweet flag Marginal Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant
Juncus effusus Soft rush Marginal Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant
Liatris spicata Kobold, spiked blazing-star, dense blazing star Marginal Midwest Invasive Plant Network,

Cornell University Cooperative Extension,

Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant,

Ohio Department of Natural Resources,

The Nature Conservancy

Liatris pychnostachya Blazing stars Midwest Invasive Plant Network
Vernonia fasciculata Prairie ironweed Midwest Invasive Plant Network
Lobelia cardinalis, incl. hybrid cultivars Cardinal flower Midwest Invasive Plant Network,

Ohio Department of Natural Resources,

The Nature Conservancy

Asclepias incarnata Swamp milkweed Marginal Midwest Invasive Plant Network,

Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant

Lobelia siphilitica Blue lobelia Ohio Department of Natural Resources,

The Nature Conservancy

Hibiscus moscheutos Rose mallow Ohio Department of Natural Resources,

The Nature Conservancy

Iris versicolor Blue flag iris Marginal Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant,

Ohio Department of Natural Resources,

The Nature Conservancy

Filipendula purpurea, F. rubra Meadowsweet Cornell University Cooperative Extension
Physostegia virginiana Obedient plant Cornell University Cooperative Extension
Salvia nemorosa Perennial sage Cornell University Cooperative Extension

Marsilea quadrifolia

Invader Scientific and Common Name Alternative Scientific Name Alternative Common Name Plant Type Sources
Marsilea quadrifolia (European waterclover)
Justicia americana American water-willow Marginal Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant

Misgurnus anguillicaudatus

Invader Scientific and Common Name Alternative Scientific Name Alternative Common Name Plant Type Sources
Misgurnus anguillicaudatus (Oriental weatherloach)
Chromobotia macracanthus Clown loach City of Chicago
Botia dario Queen loach City of Chicago

Myriophyllum aquaticum

Invader Scientific and Common Name Alternative Scientific Name Alternative Common Name Plant Type Sources
Myriophyllum aquaticum (parrot feather watermilfoil, parrot feather)
Elodea canadensis American waterweed Submerged Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant
Vallisneria americana Wild celery Submerged City of Chicago,

Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant

Potamogeton pectinatus Sago pondweed Submerged City of Chicago,

Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant

Ceratophyllum demersum Coontail Submerged City of Chicago,

Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant

Myriophyllum spicatum

Invader Scientific and Common Name Alternative Scientific Name Alternative Common Name Plant Type Sources
Myriophyllum spicatum (Eurasian watermilfoil)
Elodea canadensis Canadian waterweed Submerged City of Chicago,

Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant

Potamogeton pectinatus Sago pondweed Submerged City of Chicago,

Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant

Vallisneria americana Wild celery Submerged City of Chicago,

Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant

Najas minor

Invader Scientific and Common Name Alternative Scientific Name Alternative Common Name Plant Type Sources
Najas minor (brittle waternymph)
Elodea canadensis American waterweed Submerged Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant

Perca fluviatilis

Invader Scientific and Common Name Alternative Scientific Name Alternative Common Name Plant Type Sources
Perca fluviatilis (European perch)
Perca flavescens Native yellow perch City of Chicago,

Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant

Phalaris arundinacea

Invader Scientific and Common Name Alternative Scientific Name Alternative Common Name Plant Type Sources
Phalaris arundinacea (ribbon grass, reed canary grass)
Spartina pectinata ‘Aureomarginata’ Variegated prairie cord grass Midwest Invasive Plant Network,

Ohio Department of Natural Resources,

The Nature Conservancy

Carex morrowii Ice dance sedge Midwest Invasive Plant Network
Selsleria autumnalis Autumn moor grass Midwest Invasive Plant Network
Calamagrostis canadensis Canada bluejoint Ohio Department of Natural Resources,

The Nature Conservancy

Sorghastrum nutans Indian grass Ohio Department of Natural Resources,

The Nature Conservancy

Phragmites australis 

Invader Scientific and Common Name Alternative Scientific Name Alternative Common Name Plant Type Sources
Phragmites australis (common reed grass)
Erianthus ravennae Hardy pampas grass Marginal Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant
Sorghastrum nutans Indian grass Ohio Department of Natural Resources,

The Nature Conservancy

Andropogon gerardii Big bluestem Ohio Department of Natural Resources,

The Nature Conservancy

Spartina pectinata Prairie cord grass Ohio Department of Natural Resources,

The Nature Conservancy

Calamagrostis canadensis Canada bluejoint Ohio Department of Natural Resources,

The Nature Conservancy

Potamogeton crispus

Invader Scientific and Common Name Alternative Scientific Name Alternative Common Name Plant Type Sources
Potamogeton crispus (curlyleaf pondweed)
Elodea canadensis American waterweed Submerged Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant

Ranunculus lingua

Invader Scientific and Common Name Alternative Scientific Name Alternative Common Name Plant Type Sources
Ranunculus lingua (greater spearwort)
Rannunculaceae Buttercup family City of Chicago

Rhamnus cathartica, R. frangula

Invader Scientific and Common Name Alternative Scientific Name Alternative Common Name Plant Type Sources
Rhamnus cathartica, R. frangula (common buckthorn, glossy buckthorn)
Carpinus caroliniana American hornbeam Midwest Invasive Plant Network
Corylus americana American hazelnut Midwest Invasive Plant Network
Rhamnus alnifolia Dwarf alder Midwest Invasive Plant Network
Thuja occidentalis American arborvitae, white cedar Midwest Invasive Plant Network,

Ohio Department of Natural Resources,

The Nature Conservancy

Thuja plicata Western arborvitae Midwest Invasive Plant Network
Ilex verticillata Winterberry Ohio Department of Natural Resources,

The Nature Conservancy

Cornus racemosa, C. amomum Dogwoods Ohio Department of Natural Resources,

The Nature Conservancy

Rhamnus caroliniana Carolina buckthorn Ohio Department of Natural Resources,

The Nature Conservancy

Trapa natans

Invader Scientific and Common Name Alternative Scientific Name Alternative Common Name Plant Type Sources
Trapa natans (water chestnut)
Pontederia cordata Pickerel weed Floating City of Chicago,

Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant

Peltandra virginica Arrow arum Floating City of Chicago,

Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant

Nymphae ordorata White water lily Floating City of Chicago,

Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant

Typha angustifolia

Invader Scientific and Common Name Alternative Scientific Name Alternative Common Name Plant Type Sources
Typha angustifolia (narrowleaf cattail)
Sparganium eurycarpum Broadfruit bur-reed Marginal Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant

Typha orientalis

Invader Scientific and Common Name Alternative Scientific Name Alternative Common Name Plant Type Sources
Typha orientalis (bullrush, cumbungi)
Sparganium eurycarpum Broadfruit bur-reed Marginal Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant

Vallisneria spiralis

Invader Scientific and Common Name Alternative Scientific Name Alternative Common Name Plant Type Sources
Vallisneria spiralis (eel grass)
Vallisneria americana Eel grass Giant tape grass Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant

Xenopus laevis

Invader Scientific and Common Name Alternative Scientific Name Alternative Common Name Plant Type Sources
Xenopus laevis (African clawed frog)
Lithobates pipiens Leopord frog City of Chicago
Lithobates catesbeianus Bull frog City of Chicago