Plants

Special Characteristics: Invasive :  Midwest Invasive

Invasive plants that have the potential to cause environmental, human health, or financial harm in Midwestern states. However, this is a broad category that could contain native plants that can become problematic in optimal conditions.

Building Map...

Indiana Native
Audio Tour
Video Tour
Plant Doctor
Tree
 InvasiveThis plant is considered invasive
Audio Recording AvailableID That Tree Video AvailablePurdue Plant Doctor Available

Pyrus calleryana 'Aristocrat' [sold as Aristocrat®]
[Aristocrat Callery Pear]

Aristocrat is one of the better performing Callery Pear variants. Flowers are malodorous, but the later blooming Aristocrat flowers are not as often killed by late spring freezes as are the flowers of other P. calleryana variants. Some fireblight susceptibility, especially in the south. The branching of Aristocrat is more horizontal and does not form as narrow crotch angles as many other Callery Pears. Very small fruits are a litter problem when abundant. Considered invasive…
Audio Recording AvailableID That Tree Video AvailablePurdue Plant Doctor Available
Pyrus calleryana 'Aristocrat' [sold as Aristocrat®]
Tree
 InvasiveThis plant is considered invasive
Audio Recording AvailableID That Tree Video AvailablePurdue Plant Doctor Available

Pyrus calleryana 'Bradford'
[Bradford Callery Pear]

The cultivar 'Bradford' was exceedingly popular in the recent past, becoming overused because of its beautiful white flower show and outstanding scarlet to purple fall color. However, it is now advised not to use this short-lived cultivar, as it has very weak wood and tight branch angles and is quite prone to serious breakage. Forms narrow crotch angles that can result in a larger tree literally splitting in two. Flowers are malodorous and often killed…
Audio Recording AvailableID That Tree Video AvailablePurdue Plant Doctor Available
Pyrus calleryana 'Bradford'
Tree
 InvasiveThis plant is considered invasive
ID That Tree Video AvailablePurdue Plant Doctor Available

Pyrus calleryana 'Capital'
[Capital Callery Pear]

Overused, weak wooded, short-lived. Flowers are malodorous and often killed by late spring freezes. Forms narrow crotch angles that can result in a larger tree literally splitting in two. Very small fruits are a litter problem when abundant. 'Capital' is narrow-columnar in form and is severely susceptible to fireblight. The aesthetics of this cultivar decrease considerably with age. Considered invasive in many areas.
ID That Tree Video AvailablePurdue Plant Doctor Available
Tree
 InvasiveThis plant is considered invasive
Audio Recording AvailableID That Tree Video AvailablePurdue Plant Doctor Available

Pyrus calleryana 'Glen’s Form' [sold as Chanticleer®]
[Chanticleer Callery Pear]

Generally considered to be one of the best cultivars of P. calleryana. While still prone to limb breakage, it is stronger wooded than other variants. The Chanticleer Callery Pear is also known for its resistance to fireblight. Flowers are malodorous and often killed by late spring freezes. Very small fruits are a litter problem when abundant. Considered invasive in many areas.
Audio Recording AvailableID That Tree Video AvailablePurdue Plant Doctor Available
Pyrus calleryana 'Glen’s Form' [sold as Chanticleer®]
Tree
 InvasiveThis plant is considered invasive
Audio Recording AvailableID That Tree Video AvailablePurdue Plant Doctor Available

Pyrus calleryana 'Redspire'
[Redspire Callery Pear]

'Redspire' is one of the better P. calleryana cultivars, with a looser form and somewhat slower growth rate (less prone to limb breakage), but it does have severe fireblight susceptibility. Flowers are malodorous and often killed by late spring freezes. Very small fruits are a litter problem when abundant. Considered invasive in many areas.
Audio Recording AvailableID That Tree Video AvailablePurdue Plant Doctor Available
Pyrus calleryana 'Redspire'
Shrub/Tree
 InvasiveThis plant is considered invasive
Audio Recording AvailableID That Tree Video AvailablePurdue Plant Doctor Available

Rhamnus cathartica
[Common Buckthorn]

Tolerates most sites. Dioecious. Very invasive, by the seeds that birds love to eat; probably best to refrain from planting this species in the landscape. Susceptible to rusts (Puccinia coronata), that also attacks oats (in oat growing areas, buckthorn eradication is recommended). The bark, leaves, and fruit were once used in purgatives, thus one of this plant's common names, "Purging Buckthorn".
Audio Recording AvailableID That Tree Video AvailablePurdue Plant Doctor Available
Rhamnus cathartica
Shrub
 InvasiveThis plant is considered invasive
ID That Tree Video AvailablePurdue Plant Doctor Available

Rosa multiflora
[Multiflora Rose]

Highly invasive. Multiflora rose was imported from Eastern Asia in the late 1700s as an ornamental, in erosion control, and as a living fence. his bush forms dense strands that interfere with other woody species and replaces native plants on forest edges. In Indiana, it is illegal to move, plant, or distribute multiflora rose without a permit, according to DNR DEPP Admin code 312 IAC 18-3-13. It is designated a noxious weed in several states…
ID That Tree Video AvailablePurdue Plant Doctor Available
Tree
 InvasiveThis plant is considered invasive
Audio Recording AvailableID That Tree Video AvailablePurdue Plant Doctor Available

Ulmus pumila
[Siberian Elm]

Grows under almost any conditions, especially useful in dry sites. Resists Dutch elm disease. Leaf beetles can defoliate trees. Brittle branches and subsequently messy. Avoid planting this tree in the landscape, unless there is no other choice. Considered invasive in many areas.
Audio Recording AvailableID That Tree Video AvailablePurdue Plant Doctor Available
Ulmus pumila

The Purdue Arboretum is a collaboration between the Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture and Administrative Operations

Purdue Arboretum, 625 Agriculture Mall Dr, West Lafayette, IN, 47907
© 2026 Purdue UniversityAn equal access/equal opportunity universityCopyright ComplaintsMaintained by Purdue Arboretum Explorer
Contact Purdue Arboretum at arboretum@purdue.edu for accessibility issues with this page | Accessibility Resources | Contact Us