Invasive Species of New York Finger Lakes/CNY Region

About one-third of the plant species in New York State are non-native but only a small percentage of these are considered "invasives." Learning to recognize these aliens is an important first step in controlling them. Left alone, they can spread and eventually replace our native flora due to different advantages they may have. Some, like the honeysuckles (Lonicera spp.), begin leafing out earlier in the spring than our natives, thereby depriving the native species of the sunlight they need. Many find that the local environment lacks the animals and plants that kept them in check in their native country. Several species produce toxins in the soil that kill the growth of neighboring plants. Since each has its own exploitation strategy, it is good to understand its success mechanism, especially when it comes to removing them.

As is the case with many problematic situations, prevention is unarguably the first line of defense. In many cases we introduce these aliens unknowingly as hidden seeds on our food or wood products. A number of our invasive plants have characteristics that encourage their cultivation: many are attractive, grow fast, and need little attention. We even spread them unintentionally on our hiking boots and car tires, as many invasives start their journeys along roadsides.

Prevention makes even more sense when one considers the options available for removing the invaders. Simply pulling up rhizomatous plants will often help to propagate them. Applying herbicides is often ineffective, too costly, or dangerous to the environment. Mowing is effective in many cases but it must be repeated several times per season and then repeated for several years before the energy is depleted in the root system. The best advice here is to understand why the particular invader is so successful and minimize or eliminate that advantage.

The following is a list of the common invasive plants in the Finger Lakes & Central NY area with links to sites where you can find more information. (For more compact, printable list click here.) The list was compiled from the Cornell Botanic Gardens Invasive Species Policy list, the NY State invasives list, and the Finger Lakes PRISM list. Those lists were edited by edited by Cornell botanist Robert Wesley to reflect only species known to be both found in the Finger Lakes region and problematic here. We give only two levels: invasive and potentially of concern - a "watch list". Please contact us if you have any questions on this subject. (updated 3/2026)

For a full list of prohibited and regulated plants in New York State, see plants at this link. For the full list of PRISM invasives, clcik here and check filters for FL region and both terrestrial & aquatic plants.