Weedy and Aggressive Plant Species Native to Wisconsin

Scientific Name Common Name Growth Form C Life History WIS Habitat
Acalypha rhomboidea Three-seeded-mercury Forb 0 Annual FACU Full to part sun; dry to moist; woods, disturbed sites, gardens
Acer negundo Box elder Tree 0 Perennial FACW- Moist; rich soil
Acer saccharinum Silver maple Tree 2 Perennial FACW Moist to wet; often on riverbanks
Achillea millefolium Common yarrow, Milfoil Forb 1 Perennial FACU A wide variety of disturbed sites
Agrimonia gryposepala Common agrimony Forb 2 Perennial FACU+ Partial sun; dry to moist; woods, forests
Allium canadense Wild onion Forb 4 Perennial FACU Dry, moderate moisture, to wet; open woods, prairies
Alnus incana Speckled alder Shrub 4 Perennial OBL Moist to wet; streambanks, lakeshores, bogs, swamps, swales and roadsides
Amaranthus retroflexus Common amaranth, Pigweed Forb 0 Annual FACU+ Disturbed sites
Amaranthus tuberculatus Rough-fruited amaranth Forb 3 Annual OBL Moist; usually ditches and shores
Amaranthus albus White amaranth Forb 0 Annual FACU Disturbed sites
Ambrosia artemisiifolia Common ragweed Forb 0 Annual FACU Disturbed sites
Ambrosia trifida Giant ragweed Forb 0 Annual FAC+ Moist; disturbed sites
Ambrosia psilostachya Perennial ragweed Forb 2 Perennial FAC- Dry; prairies, disturbed sites; in sandy soil
Andropogon gerardii Big bluestem Grass 4 Perennial FAC- Full sun; dry, moderate moisture, to wet; prairies; in sandy, loamy soil
Anemone canadensis Canada anemone Forb 4 Perennial FACW Full to partial sun; wet to moderate moisture; meadows, prairies, shores; in sandy, loamy soil
Apocynum androsaemifolium Spreading dogbane Forb 2 Perennial Upl Upland woods
Arabis lyrata Lyrate rock-cress Forb 4 Biennial/Perennial FACU- Dry; woods, fields, rocks; in rocky, sandy soil
Asclepias syriaca Common milkweed Forb 1 Perennial Upl Full to partial sun; dry to wet; meadows, fields, prairies; in sandy, loamy soil
Asclepias verticillata Whorled milkweed Forb 2 Perennial Upl Dry; prairies, fields, roadsides, woods; in sandy soil; spreading northward
Aster sagittifolius Arrow-leaved aster Forb 3 Perennial Upl Partial sun to shade; dry to moderate moisture; woods, disturbed sites, streambanks; in sandy, loamy soil
Aster lateriflorus Calico aster Forb 3 Perennial FACW- Full to partial sun; dry to moderate moisture; fields, clearings, shores; in sandy, loamy, clayey soil
Aster pilosus Frost aster Forb 1 Perennial FACU+ Full sun; dry; prairies, disturbed sites; in sandy, gravelly soil
Aster ericoides Heath aster Forb 4 Perennial FACU- Full sun; dry to moderate moisture; meadows, prairies; in sandy, loamy soil
Aster novae-angliae New England aster Forb 3 Perennial FACW Full to partial sun; moderate moisture to moist; meadows, prairies; in sandy, loamy soil
Aster lanceolatus White panicle aster Forb 4 Perennial NI Partial sun to shade; moist; low areas, woods
Betula papyrifera Paper birch Tree 3 Perennial FACU+ Moist to dry; disturbed sites, upland woods, wetlands in the south
Bidens frondosus Common beggar-ticks Forb 1 Annual FACW Wet to moist; disturbed areas
Bidens vulgatus Tall beggar-ticks Forb 1 Annual NI Wet to dry; disturbed sites
Calamagrostis canadensis Blue-joint grass Grass 5 Perennial OBL Open wet soil
Calystegia sepium Hedge bindweed Forb 2 Perennial FAC Wet; disturbed sites, meadows, prairies
Carex pensylvanica Pennsylvania sedge Grass 3 Perennial Upl Upland woods
Carex stipata Sedge Grass 2 Perennial OBL Wet soil
Carex vulpinoidea Sedge Grass 2 Perennial OBL Wet soil
Cenchrus longispinus Field sandbur Grass 0 Annual Upl Sandy disturbed habitats
Cerastium nutans Nodding chickweed Forb 0 Annual/Perennial FACU+ Woods, openings
Chamaesyce nutans Milk-purslane F 0 Annual/Perennial FACU Dry to moist; disturbed areas
Chamaesyce maculata Nodding spurge Forb 0 Annual FACU- Disturbed sites
Chamaesyce glyptosperma Ridge-seeded spurge Forb 2 Annual Upl Dry; in sandy soil
Chenopodium album Lamb’s-quarters Forb 0 Annual FAC- Disturbed sites, gardens
Chenopodium simplex Maple-leaved goosefoot Forb 1 Annual Moist; disturbed sites, woods, forests
Circaea lutetiana Enchanter’s-nightshade Forb 2 Perennial FACU Moist; woods
Conyza canadensis Canadian horseweed Forb 0 Annual FAC- Disturbed sites
Cornus racemosa Gray dogwood Shrub 2 Perennial FACW- Opposite, stalked, oval to lance-like with a long tip, pale below, 1.5″-4″ long
Cornus stolonifera Red-osier dogwood Shrub 3 Perennial FACW Moist
Cornus amomum Silky dogwood Shrub 4 Perennial FACU+ Moist; woods, riverbanks
Crataegus spp. Hawthorn Tree 2 Perennial Wide variety
Cryptotaenia canadensis Honewort Forb 4 Perennial FAC Shade; dry; woods
Cyperus strigosus False nut sedge Grass 1 Perennial FACW Moist fields, swamps, and shores
Cyperus esculentus Yellow nut sedge Grass 0 Perennial FACW Damp or wet soil
Descurainia pinnata Pinnate tansy mustard Forb 0 Annual/Biennial Upl Full to partial sun; dry; disturbed areas
Desmodium canadense Canadian tick-trefoil Forb 4 Perennial FAC- Moist to wet; thickets, streambanks
Dichanthelium acuminatum Hairy panic grass Grass 2 Perennial FAC Wet to dry sites, grasslands and open woods
Digitaria cognata Fall witch grass Grass 2 Annual Upl Dry sandy soil
Echinochloa muricata American barnyard grass Grass 1 Annual OBL Damp ground and waste places
Elymus canadensis Canada wild-rye Grass 4 Perennial FAC- Full sun; dry, moderate moisture, to wet; prairies, inland sands; in sandy, loamy soil
Epilobium angustifolium Fireweed Forb 3 Perennial FAC Moist; forests, clearings
Equisetum arvense Common horsetail Forb 1 Perennial FAC Moist to moderately dry
Eragrostis capillaris Lace grass Grass 1 Annual Upl Dry soil and open woods
Eragrostis pectinacea Small love grass Grass 0 Annual FAC Moist ground disturbed sites
Erechtites hieracifolia Fireweed Forb 2 Annual FACU Dry to wet; open woods, partially disturbed sites
Erigeron annuus Annual fleabane Forb 0 Annual FAC- Disturbed areas
Erigeron philadelphicus Common fleabane Forb 2 Biennial/Perennial FACW Wet; woods, shores, meadows
Erigeron strigosus Daisy fleabane Forb 2 Annual FAC- Fields, woods, roadsides, disturbed sites
Eupatorium maculatum Spotted Joe-Pye-weed Forb 4 Perennial OBL Full sun; wet to moist; meadows, marshes, shores; in sandy, loamy, limy soil
Eupatorium rugosum White snakeroot Forb 1 Perennial FACU Moderate moisture; woods, disturbed sites; in rocky soil
Euthamia graminifolia Grass-leaved goldenrod Forb 4 Perennial FACW- Moist to dry; meadows, prairies, roadsides, shores; in sandy soil
Fragaria virginiana Wild strawberry Forb 1 Perennial FAC- Meadows, fields, woods, forests
Fraxinus pennsylvanica Green ash Tree 2 Perennial FACW Wide variety
Galium aparine Annual bedstraw, Cleavers Forb 2 Annual FACU Mostly shade; moist rich woods
Gaura biennis Biennial gaura Forb 2 Annual/Biennial FACU- Sun; dry; prairies, woods, shores
Geranium maculatum Wild geranium Forb 4 Perennial FACU Full sun to shade; moderate moisture; woods; in sandy, loamy soil
Geum canadense White avens Forb 2 Perennial FAC Dry to moist; woods, disturbed sites
Geum aleppicum Yellow avens Forb 3 Perennial FAC+ Wet; meadows, woods, forests, swamps
Glyceria striata Fowl manna grass Grass 4 Perennial OBL Full to partial sun; moist to wet; streambanks, woods, bogs, meadows; in sandy, loamy soil
Hackelia virginiana Stickseed Forb 3 Biennial FAC- Upland woods
Hedeoma hispida Rough pennyroyal Forb 1 Annual/Biennial Upl Dry; inland sands, barrens; in sandy soil
Helenium autumnale Common sneezeweed Forb 4 Perennial FACW+ Full sun; moist to wet; meadows, shores, streambanks; in sandy, loamy soil
Helianthus tuberosus Jerusalem-artichoke Forb 2 Perennial FAC Moist; disturbed sites, woods, forests
Helianthus petiolaris Prairie sunflower Forb 0 Annual/Biennial Upl Prairies, grassland, and waste places; in sandy soil
Helianthus grosseserratus Saw-tooth sunflower Forb 2 Perennial FACW- Full sun; wet to moderate moisture; prairies, marshes; in sandy, loamy soil
Heracleum lanatum American cow-parsnip Forb 3 Perennial FACW Sun to partial shade; moist; disturbed sites, streambanks; in rich soil
Hydrophyllum virginianum Virginia waterleaf Forb 4 Perennial FACW- Moist to wet; woods, forests, openings
Impatiens capensis Jewelweed Forb 2 Annual FACW Moist; woods, forests, meadows, streambanks
Iva xanthifolia Bur-weed marsh-elder Forb 0 Annual FAC Moist; shores, disturbed sites
Juncus tenuis Path rush Grass 1 Perennial FAC Dry to moist, especially forest paths
Kuhnia eupatorioides False boneset Forb 5 Perennial Upl Full sun; dry to moderate moisture; prairies, woods; in limy, sandy, loamy, gravelly soil
Lactuca canadensis Tall wild lettuce Forb 2 Annual/Biennial FACU+ Moderate moisture; meadows, fields, woods
Laportea canadensis Canadian wood-nettle Forb 4 Perennial FACW Moderate moisture; woods, forests; in rich soil
Leersia oryzoides Rice cut grass Grass 3 Perennial OBL Wet; marshes, wet meadows, shores, swales
Lepidium virginicum Virginia pepper-weed Forb 0 Annual/Biennial FACU- Dry to moist; fields, roadsides, disturbed areas
Lespedeza capitata Round-headed bush-clover Forb 5 Perennial FACU Full to partial sun; dry to moderate moisture; prairies, woods; in sandy, loamy, gravelly soil
Mentha arvensis Wild mint Forb 3 Perennial FACW Wet; meadows, shores, streambanks
Mirabilis nyctaginea Wild four-o’clock Forb 1 Perennial Upl Dry; prairies, disturbed sites; in sandy soil
Monarda fistulosa Bergamot Forb 3 Perennial FACU Full to partial sun; dry, moderate moisture to wet; woods, prairies, fields; in sandy, loamy soil
Muhlenbergia schreberi Nimble-will muhly Grass 1 Perennial FAC Moist disturbed sites
Oenothera biennia Common evening-primrose Forb 1 Biennial/Perennial FACU Dry to moderate moisture; disturbed sites, prairies
Oenothera parviflora Northern evening-primrose Forb 2 Biennial/Perennial FACU Disturbed sites
Oxalis stricta Common yellow oxalis Forb 0 Perennial FACU Dry; prairies, disturbed sites
Oxalis dillenii Yellow wood-sorrel Forb 0 Perennial Upl Disturbed and natural habitats
Panicum capillare Common witch grass Grass 1 Annual/Biennial FAC Dry or moist disturbed areas
Panicum virgatum Switch grass Grass 4 Perennial FAC+ Full sun; dry, moderate moisture, to wet; prairies; in sandy, loamy soil
Parietaria pensylvanica Pennsylvanian pellitory Forb 2 Annual FACU Dry to moist; woods, disturbed sites, sidewalk cracks, streambanks
Penthorum sedoides Ditch stonecrop Forb 3 Perennial OBL Wet; shores, streambanks; in muddy soil
Phryma leptostachya American lopseed Forb 5 Perennial Upl Moist; woods, forests, meadows, streambanks
Physalis longifolia Long-leaved ground-cherry Forb 2 Perennial Upl Moist to dry; fields, open woods, prairies
Physocarpus opulifolius Ninebark Shrub 6 Perennial FACW- Moist soil, especially along streambanks
Pilea pumila Canadian clearweed Forb 3 Annual FACW Shaded; moist; woods; in rich soil
Plantago rugelii American plantain Forb 0 Perennial FAC Disturbed sites, lawns
Polygonum lapathifolium Dock-leaved smartweed Forb 2 Annual FACW+ Wet to moist; disturbed sites
Polygonum cilinode Fringed bindweed Forb 1 Perennial Upl Dry; woods, thickets
Polygonum achoreum Leathery knotweed Forb 0 Annual FAC Disturbed sites
Polygonum pensylvanicum Pennsylvania knotweed Forb 1 Annual FACW+ Wet to moist; disturbed sites; in rich soil
Populus deltoides Cottonwood Tree 2 Perennial FAC+ Riverbanks, moist woods and prairies, lakeshores
Populus tremuloides Quaking aspen Tree 2 Perennial FAC Moist; upland woods, streambanks, often on burned or cut-over areas
Potentilla simplex Common cinquefoil Forb 2 Perennial FACU- Dry; woods, fields, meadows
Potentilla norvegica Rough cinquefoil Forb 0 Annual/Perennial FAC Dry; disturbed sites
Prunella vulgaris Heal-all Forb 1 Perennial FAC Disturbed sites
Prunus serotina Black cherry Tree 3 Perennial FACU Wide variety
Prunus virginiana Chokecherry Shrub 3 Perennial FAC- Wide variety
Pteridium aquilinum Bracken fern Forb 2 Perennial FACU Woodlands, fields, roadsides in acidic soil
Ranunculus sceleratus Cursed crowfoot Forb 3 Annual/Perennial OBL Wet; marshes, swamps, ditches
Ranunculus abortivus Small-flowered buttercup Forb 1 Biennial/Perennial FACW- Dry to moist; woods, disturbed sites, cliffs
Ratibida pinnata Yellow coneflower Forb 4 Perennial Upl Full sun; dry, moderate moisture to wet; prairies, woods; in sandy, loamy, limy soil
Rhus glabra Smooth sumac Shrub 2 Perennial Upl Uplands, roadsides, woods edges
Rhus hirta staghorn sumac Shrub 2 Perennial Upl Sunny; dry
Ribes cynosbati Prickly wild gooseberry Shrub 3 Perennial Upl Moist woods
Rubus ideaus American red raspberry Shrub 3 Perennial FACW- Dry to moist; woods, fields, roadsides
Rubus occidentalis Black raspberry Shrub 2 Perennial Upl Dry to moist; woods, fields, thickets
Rubus allegheniensis Common blackberry Shrub 2 Perennial FACU+ Disturbed forests and edges
Rudbeckia hirta Black-eyed Susan Forb 4 Biennial/Perennial FACU Full to partial sun; dry, moderate moisture to wet; prairies, meadows, roadsides; in sandy, loamy soil
Rudbeckia laciniata Wild golden-glow Forb 6 Perennial FACW+ Full to partial sun; moist; woods, forests, shores, streambanks; in sandy, loamy soil
Rumex altissimus Smooth dock Forb 2 Perennial FACW- Wet; swamps
Sagittaria latifolia Arrow-head, duck-potato Forb 3 Perennial OBL Shallow water streams; in muddy soil
Salix discolor Pussy willow Shrub 2 Perennial FACW Wet; swamps, wet areas
Salix exigua Sandbar willow Shrub 2 Perennial OBL Sand and mud bars; moist alluvial soil
Sambucus canadensis Elderberry Shrub 3 Perennial FACW- Moist fields, woods, and roadsides
Sanicula marilandica Black snakeroot F 5 Perennial NI Shade; woods
Sanicula gregaria Black snakeroot Forb 3 Perennial FAC+ Shade; dry; woods
Scirpus atrovirens Dark-green bulrush Grass 3 Perennial OBL Swamps and wet meadows
Scirpus cyperinus Woolgrass Grass 4 Perennial OBL Wet soil
Silphium perfoliatum Cup plant Forb 4 Perennial FACW- Full to partial sun; wet to moderate moisture; prairies, woods, streambanks; in sandy, loamy soil
Solanum ptychanthum Eastern black nightshade Forb 1 Annual/Biennial FACU- Disturbed sites
Solidago canadensis Canada goldenrod Forb 1 Perennial FACU Full to partial sun; moist to dry; roadsides, fields, woods, prairies
Solidago gigantea Giant goldenrod Forb 3 Perennial FACW Dry, moderate moisture, wet; woods, meadows, prairies, shores
Solidago speciosa Showy goldenrod Forb 5 Perennial Upl Full sun; dry to moderate moisture; prairies, woods, inland sands; in sandy, loamy soil
Solidago rigida Stiff goldenrod Forb 5 Perennial FACU- Full to partial sun; dry to moderate moisture; prairies, woods; in sandy, loamy soil
Solidago flexicaulis Zigzag goldenrod Forb 6 Perennial FACU Partial sun to shade; moderate moisture to dry; woods, forests; in sandy, loamy soil
Sorghastrum nutans Indian grass Grass 5 Perennial FACU+ Full sun; dry, moderate moisture, to wet; prairies; in sandy, loamy soil
Spirea alba White meadowsweet Shrub 4 Perennial FACW+ Moist to wet; meadows, streambanks
Sporobolus vaginiflorus Poverty grass Grass 1 Annual Upl Dry sandy or sterile soil
Thalictrum dasycarpum Tall meadow-rue Forb 4 Perennial FACW- Full to partial sun; moderate moisture to wet; meadows, streambanks; in sandy, loamy soil
Tilia americana Basswood Tree 5 Perennial FACU Rich woods
Typha latifolia Broad-leaved cat-tail Grass 1 Perennial OBL Sun; wet to damp; ditches, marshes, shallows; in muddy soil
Urtica dioica Stinging nettle Forb 1 Perennial FAC+ Wet to dry; disturbed sites
Verbena hastata Blue vervain Forb 3 Biennial/Perennial FACW+ Full sun; moist; prairies, meadows, fields, streambanks; in sandy, loamy soil
Verbena bracteata Creeping vervain Forb 0 Annual/Biennial/Perennial FACU Dry; disturbed sites
Verbena stricta Hoary vervain Forb 3 Annual/Perennial Upl Full sun; dry to moderate moisture; disturbed sites, prairies, inland sands, fields; in sandy, loamy soil
Verbena urticifolia White vervain Forb 2 Annual/Perennial FAC+ Disturbed sites, woods, thickets
Veronica peregrina Purslane speedwell Forb 0 Annual FACW+ Moist; disturbed sites
Veronica serpyllifolia Thyme-leaved speedwell Forb 0 Perennial FACW Fields, meadows, disturbed sites
Viburnum lentago Nannyberry Shrub 4 Perennial FAC+ Woods and roadsides
Viola sororia Common blue violet Forb 3 FAC- Moist, wet; woods, meadows
Viola pubescens Downy yellow violet Forb 5 Perennial FACW- Dry; woods, forests; in rich soil
Xanthium strumarium Common cocklebur Forb 1 Annual FAC Disturbed sites, fields
Zanthoxylum americanum Prickly ash Shrub 3 Perennial Upl Woods, forest edge, and thickets

Headings and Acronyms Explained

Heading Meaning
Growth Form: Forb Forbs and herbaceous vines
Grass Grass-like and sedge-like monocots
Shrub Shrubs
Tree Trees
C Coefficient of Conservatism
WIS Wetland indicator or status
 Habitat This Information was obtained from the University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point, Robert W. Freckmann Herbarium website when available.

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