Cornell Cooperative Extension

Tompkins County

Invasive Plants

What is an Invasive Species?

Invasive species are non-native species that can cause harm to the environment, the economy or to human health. Invasives come from all around the world. As international trade increases, so does the rate of invasive species introductions. Invasive species are one of the greatest threats to New York's biodiversity. They cause or contribute to: habitat degradation and loss; the loss of native fish, wildlife and tree species; the loss of recreational opportunities and income; and crop damage and diseases in humans and livestock ( from the New York Dept. of Environmental Conservation).

Hydrilla, Hydrilla verticillata

Hydrilla

Hydrilla is an aquatic invasive species in New York state. Find out more here about how you can identify the plant and what you can do to help.

Read more
milkweed blossom

Native Plants

Native plants deserve a place in your garden, and they offer many advantages over non-native species. Find a list of suggested varieties here.

Read more
Field infestation of Giant Hogweed (Heracleum mantegazzianum)

Giant Hogweed

Giant hogweed is one of New York's most striking and dangerous invasive plants. Learn how to recognize and manage it safely on our site.

Read more
Black dog-strangling vine, black swallowwort (Cynanchum louiseae)

Swallow Wort

Areas that have been cleared of swallow-wort should be planted with rapid-growing native species to avoid introduction of other invasive plants.

Read more
Garlic Mustard

Garlic Mustard

Garlic mustard is one of very few non-native plants to be able to successfully invade forest understories.

Read more
Bush Honeysuckle fruit

What are those berries?

Exotic bush honeysuckle is perhaps the most widespread exotic invasive in the U.S. Widely dispersed by birds, it is now found in at least 38 states.

Read more

Last updated September 18, 2023

Invasive Plants

Mobile Mapping Tool

New York IMapInvasives offers a mobile app to help citizens and conservation professionals quickly and easily report new invasive species sightings directly to New York’s invasive species database from their phones. Learn more about  the iMapInvasives Mobile App here.

Visit PRISM

Visit Finger Lakes PRISM online

Invasive Plant Atlas of the U.S.

Invasive Plant Atlas of the United States - A collaborative project between the National Park Service, the University of Georgia Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health, the Invasive Plant Atlas of New England and the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. The purpose of the Atlas is to assist users with identification, early detection, prevention, and management of invasive plants, with an emphasis on primarily non-native plants.

Logo for iMap Invasives

iMapInvasives is an online tool for invasive species reporting and data management.

NYISCH image created from images on their website, to serve as a photo link.

Events

See more

Find Native Replacements

Visit our page on Native Plants to find appropriate replacements for invasives that you remove from your lawn and garden.

Disposing of Invasive Plants

Guidelines for Disposal of Terrestrial Invasive Plants (2011) is a 4-page PDF (1422kb) that covers methods for disposing of woody & non-woody plant materials, grasses and sedges, and includes a list of invasive plants that should not go into your compost pile.