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Invasive Species

Bright red leaves of a burning bush shrub

What you should know about Burning Bush

The glow of the intense bright red color, corky ridges on the branches, and bright orange or red berries  of your neighborhood burning bushes may entice you, but remember planting and growing them will lead to further degradation of the Illinois wildscape. The ornamental berries of this common...
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teasel

How non-native teasel went from good to absolutely bad

Chances are if you have driven along any country road in Illinois, you have seen a tall plant with a spiky silvery thistle-like flower head swaying in the wind. What you may not know is that this plant hides a sinister side. Cutleaf teasel (Dipsacus laciniatus) and its relative the Common...
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Callery Pear on forest edge - Photo by Chris Evans, University of Illinois Extension

A certain air around Callery Pear

Do you see those beautiful white flowering trees lining the streets and backyards? These delicate white blossoms, made brighter by the months of winter endured, are actually an environmental hazard to the Illinois wilds. Callery Pear season is upon us. It’s actually the seeds of these flowers ...
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