Invasive Plant Factsheet
This popular evergreen shrub was originally introduced to the U.S. from Asia in 1804 as an ornamental plant and is still widely available in the nursery trade. Unfortunately, its colorful berries are one of the means of its escape from gardens, and it has now naturalized and invaded forest habitat in all southern states from Virginia across to Texas. Both Alexandria and Arlington list it as invasive.
Native Alternatives
- Callicarpa americana (American Beauty-berry)
- Calycanthus floridus (Sweet-shrub)
- Cephalanthus occidentalis (Buttonbush)
- Clethra alnifolia (Sweet Pepperbush)
- Euonymus americanus (Strawberry Bush)
- Ilex glabra (Inkberry)
- Ilex verticillata (Winterberry)
- Itea virginica (Virginia Sweetspire)
- Yellowroot (Xanthoriza simplicissima)
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Nandina (Nandina domestica)
