A Guide to Flowering and Fruiting Times of Common Exotic Invasive Woody Plants in Eastern Massachusetts
Compiled by Bruce Wenning
Note: For exotic invasive plant infestations, control efforts are maximized just before the plant goes into the fruiting stage. Recognizing the specific biology of the exotic species you are trying to control will help you achieve control with the least amount of effort.
Source: Invasive Plants of Asian Origin established in the United States and their Natural Enemies by Hao Zheng, YunWu, Jianqing Ding, Denise Binion, Weidong Fu, and Richard Reardon. 2004. USDA Forest Service, Forest Health Technology Enterprise Team, Morgantown, WV, 26505, U.S.A. Volumes I & II. For free copies contact rreardon@fs.fed.us
1. Tree of Heaven (Ailanthus altissima)
(a) Flowers from April through May.
(b) Fruits from August through October.
2. Asiatic bittersweet vine (Celastrus orbiculatus)
(a) Flowers from May through June.
(b) Fruits from July through October.
3. Winged euonymus or burning bush (Euonymus alatus)
(a) Flowers from May through June.
(b) Fruits from July through October.
4. Bush Honeysuckles (Lonicera spp.)
(a) Flowers from May through June for L. maacki (shrub).
(b) Fruits from August through October for L. maacki (shrub).
(c) Flowers from May through June for L. tatarica (shrub).
(d) Fruits from July through August for L. tatarica (shrub).
5. Glossy buckthorn (Rhamnus frangula = Frangula alnus)
(a) Flowers from April through July.
(b) Fruits from June through September.
6. Common buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica)
(a) Flowers from May through June.
(b) Fruits from July through September.
7. Japanese knotweed (Reynoutria japonica = Fallopia japonica = Polygonum sachalinense = P. cuspidatum)
(a) Flowers August through September.
(b) Fruits September through October. Seed germination is minimal. Rhizome (root) fragments of a minimum of 1 inch can produce new plants.
8. Multiflora rose (Rosa multiflora)
(a) Flowers from May through June.
(b) Fruits from July through August. Fruits can remain on plant until the following spring.
