Public Works and Environmental Services Alert:

Recognizing Invasive Species

It can be difficult to know if a plant, animal or insect is a friend or foe. There are tools and services available to help you recognize invasive plants, animals and diseases in our area. You can use online apps, check out online fact sheets, plant lists and databases; watch videos or contact a local master gardener.

Photo: Garlic mustard (Alliara petiolata) is a high-ranking invasive plant that displaces native wildflowers in forests.

Invasiveness Ranking

invasive lesser celandine — Though pretty, lesser celandine ( *Ficaria verna* ) can choke out native species

The Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) ranks invasive species (I-rank) based on their level of threat to forests and other natural communities and native species. Invasiveness rank increases for species that:

Alter natural processes, such as water flow or soil chemistry.
Invade undisturbed natural areas.
Cause substantial impacts on rare or vulnerable native species or natural areas.
Are found widely distributed and generally abundant where present.
Disperse readily to new places.
Require significant resources to manage and control.

Publications

High-Ranking Invasive Plants

These plants rank "High" on the DCR Invasive Plant List. Find them in the Fairfax County Park Authority's Invasive Plants Identification and Control Booklet or Blue Ridge Partnership for Regional Invasive Species Management (PRISM) PRISM Fact Sheets for identification and control options. Early Detection and Rapid Response lists emerging invasive species in Fairfax County.

PRISM Fact Sheets

Forest Pests and Diseases

Fairfax County’s Forest Pest Branch is tasked by the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors to monitor for, provide control of (when necessary and possible) and to provide outreach and education about a number of forest insect pests and diseases. Any insects or diseases for which the Forest Pest Branch provides services must first be approved by the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and placed on the list of insects and diseases that can be controlled with funds collected by local service or tax districts. Visit Forest Pests - Insects and Diseases to learn more

Fish and Wildlife

The Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) Invasive Species is the primary source for invasive Wildlife and Fish. Their many fact sheet provide information on what they look like, why they are a problem and what you can do to help. Find specific species to watch for at Invasive Species Resources.

Mobile Apps

There are apps for your phone that help you identify PLANTS, INSECTS and WILDLIFE. The apps listed below are free, but may require creating an account.

iNaturalist: You will be able to take photos of plants and insects and get suggestions on what species they may be.

Seek by iNaturalist Use the power of image recognition technology to identify the plants and animals all around you.

Bugwood Apps EDDMapS app unites existing invasive species and pest citizen science reporting and identification tools under one app.

Plant Lists and Databases

Virginia Invasive Plant Species List - Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR)

Plant Invaders of Mid-Atlantic Natural Areas - invasive.org

New Invaders of the Southeast - U.S. Dept. of Agriculture

Plant Database - United States Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service (USDA, NRCS)

Digital Atlas of Virginia The Flora of Virginia Project - Virginia Botanical Associates (need approval)

Plant Identification Video Series

Announcing New Invasive Plant Identification Video Series - Penn State Extension

The new videos provide a closer and more interactive look at identification features for these invasive plants. In an effort to control invasive plants, confident and correct identification is a necessary first step. These videos show more photos and emphasize specific features, reinforcing the major identification characteristics of some of the most common invasive plants landowners may encounter.

View Video Series Announcement

Local Identification Services

Virginia Cooperative Extension Volunteers from Fairfax County Master Gardeners and Green Spring Master Gardeners staff the year-round horticulture Help Desk to answer gardening questions and help solve gardening problems.

Fairfax County Master Gardeners hold Plant Clinics in various locations throughout Fairfax County from May through September. They help the public with gardening questions, plant and insect identification, and soil tests.

Fairfax County Master Gardeners also operate an award-winning Diagnostic Lab where residents submit sample(s) of PESTS, DISEASES, or unhealthy materials to the lab for identification and treatment recommendations. PLANT samples are also submitted for simple identification. At this time you can submit your sample by emailing photos or bringing your sample to one of the Plant Clinics.

Public Works and Environmental Services Alert:

Recognizing Invasive Species

On This Page

Invasiveness Ranking

High-Ranking Invasive Plants

PRISM Fact Sheets

Invasive Plants Identification and Control Booklet

Guides, Posters and Fact Sheets

Forest Pests and Diseases

Fish and Wildlife

EDDMapS

Mobile Apps

Tree Identification

Plant Lists and Databases

Plant Identification Video Series

Local Identification Services

Species

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