Two Invasive Plants in Massachusetts Mistakenly Used as Christmas Decorations

In Massachusetts, some invasive plants are being used unintentionally as Christmas decorations.

This article lists which species to avoid using as decorations and which ones are invasive.

Many locals are now starting to decorate their homes for the holidays, but there are some species to avoid if you want to use plants.

Residents are being urged by MassWildlife to use caution when choosing plants to decorate their homes because they have the potential to become invasive, spread rapidly, and even kill mature trees.

Avoiding multiflora rose and Oriental bittersweet is advised by MassWildlife.

Although these plants may produce berries that are attractive to look at, they can seriously harm native plants.

Oriental Bittersweet

This plant has a quick growth rate and can quickly encircle nearby trees or shrubs.

Other smaller plants may be shaded out, suffocated, or uprooted. Mature trees may also perish from Oriental Bittersweet.

This plant can be recognized by its woody vine, which can reach lengths of up to 60 feet and a diameter of six inches.

From May to June, tiny greenish flowers will bloom.

From July to October, they then yield yellow-orange capsules, which later in the fall change into the red-orange shade that many people seek out when adorning their homes for the holidays.

Multiflora Rose

This plant quickly displaces other nearby plants because of the way it grows in thickets.

An untended field or pasture may be taken over by multi-flora roses.

One plant can produce up to 500,000 seeds and can survive in the soil for as long as 20 years.

The shrub has prickle-covered green and red stems that can reach heights of 10 to 15 feet.

Leaflets with acutely serrated edges are known to be present on the leaves.

Rose hips, which resemble red berries and are produced in late summer, remain on the plant all winter.

These plants can scatter their seeds and hijack new habitats if they are cut down for wreaths or garlands.

The seeds may also draw birds, who will disperse them further throughout the neighborhood.

These invasive plants spread quickly and start to grow underground, making it difficult to control them once they get going.

In Massachusetts, it is forbidden to buy or sell Multiflora Rose and Oriental Bittersweet in any way, MassWildlife reported.

Read also: Invasive Vine Species Used as Camouflage in WWII Takes Over Second Largest Island of Fiji 

Native Plants in Massachusetts for Christmas Decorations

WWLP News22 said that using more native plants is a better alternative to the invasive ones mentioned above and still produces the same vibrant colors or pine-like appearance that are ideal for the season.

Here are some examples:

• Native Pines. According to Trees For Me, pines that are native to Massachusetts include easter white pine, pitch pine, and red pine.
• Spruces. This includes Norway spruce and red spruce.
• Eastern Hemlock. This species has short needles that last all year long.
• American Holly. Native to Massachusetts, this flora has red berries perfect for the holiday decor.
• Mountain Laurel. This flowery shrub is common in central Massachusetts.
• Balsam Fir. This species has purplish-brown cylindrical cones and blunt needles, according to data from Trees For Me.
• Winterberry Holly. This is a small tree with abundant shiny red berries.

Related article: 30 Species Added to List of Invasive Plants that are Illegal to Sell in Maine