The Warrick Invasive Species Partnership has a bounty out on an invasive shrub.

There are plenty of invasive species in Indiana. From insects to plants, the list of invasive species is quite long. When it comes to invasive plants in Indiana, one is commonly found in landscapes and woodlands that most people don't realize is actually an invasive shrub. It's called a burning bush (Euonymus alatus), also known as winged euonymus. It was brought here from Asia around 1860 as an ornamental plant for use in landscaping.

A fragment of the autumn park .
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Why is Burning Bush Considered Invasive?

While it is a beautiful landscaping plant that turns bright red in the fall, it has been identified as a threat to the natural area because it produces a lot of seeds that sprout and force out other native plants.

Then, there's also a threat of the roots causing damage to your pipes. It could cost you a lot of headaches and money.  Take this post for example:

"Bounty" on Burning Bush in Warrick County

While people may be reluctant to get rid of this plant due to the fact that it makes their landscaping look really nice, that doesn't change the fact that it is still an invasive species. While it might not be as aggressive as other invasive shrubs, according to a post from the Warrick County Soil & Water Conservation, "its ability to grow under a mature canopy and prolific fruiting make it a shrub of enough concern to be ranked a significant threat."

Winged eonymus, euonymus alatus in the autumn park. Scarlet ornamental shrub in the garden. Autumn colors.
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That's why the Warrick Invasive Species Partnership has put out a burning bush bounty. If you find this invasive shrub on your property, the WISP will reward you with a free native shrub for the removal and destruction of your burning bush. For more information on this bounty, see the post below.

7 Invasive Insects in Indiana You Should Kill Immediately If You See Them

In an effort to inform the public on the types of invasive species that are known to be found in their state, the USDA offers a "Pest Tracker" on their website, where you simply click the name of your state from the drop-down menu provided to see pictures of the different insects and weeds, along with descriptions of the type of plant life they target and the damage they can do if they're not dealt with.

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See 11 Unique Attractions You'll Only Find in Indiana

The website, RoadsideAmerica.com, which keeps tabs on the more unique attractions each state has to offer, lists 75 attractions for Indiana. The following 11 are the ones I found to be the most interesting and hope to see in person with my own eyes one of these days.

 

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