Native Plants & Invasive Species
Native Plants
Native plant is a term to describe plants endemic or naturalized to a given area in geologic time. This includes plants that have developed, occur naturally or existed for many years in an area. In North America, a plant is often deemed native if it was present before colonization. Research has found that insects depend on native plants as do the birds that feed on them. A policy created by the Conservation Commission and the Parks and Recreation Department was approved on October 11, 2023, and can be found here: Policy on the Use of Native Plants on Town-Owned Property
The Pollinator Pathway provides resources for native plants - https://www.pollinator-pathway.org/plants
Invasive Species
The invasive plants of particular concern in Ridgefield are listed below. Click the name to see the fact sheet.
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Garlic mustard (Alliaria petiolata).
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Giant Hogweed (Heracleum mantegazzianum).
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Japanese barberry (Berberis thunbergii), which harbors ticks.
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Japanese stilt grass (Microstegium vimineum).
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Mile-a-Minute vine (Persicaria perfoliata), which is a very aggressive grower.
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Multiflora rose (Rosa multiflora).
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Oriental bittersweet (Celastrus orbiculatus) whose vines choke trees.
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Phragmites (Phragmites australis) are wetland grass that diminishes the diversity of water bodies.
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Purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria), which is a wetland plant.
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Winged euonymus, also commonly known as Burning bush (Euonymus alatus), decreases diversity in our woodlands.
The committee is also on the lookout for two destructive non-native beetles:
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Asian longhorned beetle (Anoplophora glabripennis).
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Emerald Ash Borer (Agrilus planipennis).
We welcome questions from the public about any of these invasive plants and beetles, and any others you may find on your property. Please contact us at 203-431-2713 or conservation@ridgefieldct.gov.
When removing invasive plants please refer to this guide - How to dispose of invasive plants
More Resources for Invasive Plants
More details on invasive plant species in Connecticut can be found on the UConn website. In particular, check out "Meet the Plants." The Connecticut Invasive Plants Council also has developed a list of non-native plants that cause (or have the potential to cause) environmental harm in minimally managed areas. Other resources include:
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CT Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, "Invasive Species"
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US Department of Agriculture, "Plants"
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US Department of Agriculture, "CT State Resources"
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CT Audubon, "Remove Invasive Plants"
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US Fish & Wildlife Service, "Frequently Asked Questions about Invasive Species"
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Connecticut River Coastal Conservation District, "Invasive Plants in Your Backyard"
