Invading plants out-compete native species as they hog sunlight, nutrients, and space; they change animal habitat by eliminating native foods, altering cover, and destroying nesting opportunities.
Barberry thicket – Marsh Trail, 2010
Indian Point Invasive Plant Survey and Management Report
In 2014, the CLC contracted with botanist Ted Elliman to search for invasive plant species and document general distribution and impacts on Indian Point. Ted reported the Association lands represent a fine and healthy mosaic of coastal Maine natural communities, including conifer and mixed hardwood-conifer forests, shrublands, old fields, freshwater swamps and bogs, estuarine wetlands, and sandy and rocky shorelines. Invasive plant species have not yet seriously impacted these habitats and are definitely manageable.
Without the work already done, several widespread and destructive invasive species (Japanese barberry, purple loosestrife, garlic mustard, and Japanese knotweed) would have infested more of Indian Point. Other invasive species, especially those that spread very rapidly in natural habitats (multiflora rose, oriental bittersweet, and Canada thistle are foremost) should be controlled very soon or they will infest and degrade larger areas of the Association’s natural lands.
Invasive plants at Indian Point
Higher Priority Threats
Hardy kiwi and sweet-brier rose are not listed as invasive in Maine, but each represents a threat to natural habitats at Indian Point.
Lower Priority Threats
Princess-tree is invasive in the mid-Atlantic states, but apparently has never before been documented in Maine.
For help with plant identification or control, see the Maine invasive plant fact sheets at
Things you can do:
Verify that plants you buy for your yard or garden are not invasive.
Remove invasive plants found on your property.
Replace invasive plants in your garden with non-invasive alternatives.
Report to the CLC any invasive plants you find on your property or common lands.
Want to report an invasive species? Need help?