Fieldwork in focus, May 2025
With a new team assembled, LIISMA kicked off the field season, visiting sites new and old with fresh eyes. We explored the farthest reaches of Long Island from Brooklyn to Napeague this Spring to survey for emerging invasive species and protect areas of high biodiversity.
Early Detection and Rapid Response
For one of the first field projects of the season, the team visited Prospect and Fort Greene Parks in Brooklyn to begin early detection and rapid response (EDRR) work. The team followed iNaturalist reports to incised fumewort (Corydalis incisa) at Fort Greene Park and confirmed the observation. Prospect park led the team to a few scattered Juliana’s barberry (Berberis julianae), a stand of likely planted trifoliate oranges (Poncirus trifoliata), a carpet of goutweed (Aegopodium podagraria), and a small stand of five-leaf aralia (Eleutherococcus pentaphyllus). The team also investigated reports of giant butterbur (Petasites japonicus), but none were found, suggesting that the plant has been successfully managed. The LIISMA team plans to follow up with local land managers to coordinate removal and containment efforts for the emerging species observed.
The team also set out to investigate reports of sapphireberry (Symplocos paniculata) at Berkeley Jackson County Park in Huntington. On the way to the observation, we identified tea viburnum (Viburnum setigerum) and quickly began to notice thickets of it in the understory. As we continued our walk, we encountered other species including native maple leaf viburnum and arrowwood viburnum, and invasive Linden viburnum (Viburnum dilitatum) and Christmas berry (Pourthiaea villosa). We also began to notice abundant sapphireberry seedlings and saplings, and eventually a 15 foot tall tree-like sapphireberry that has likely been the seed source of this population. This visit provided useful identification exercises for the team including side-by-side observation of the similar yet distinct oblong serrated leaves of Christmas berry and sapphireberry as well as a diversity of viburnums to compare.
At Shu Swamp Preserve in Oyster Bay, the team followed reports to find Japanese Primrose (Primula japonica) scattered along a stream corridor. This sighting was a first for the team, with its whorls of bright pink flowers on slender stems growing from basal rosettes of broad serrated leaves. According to preserve staff, the plant is likely the remnant of landscaping from the previous historic estate on site. The team plans to coordinate with North Shore Wildlife Sanctuary staff to remove this emerging invasive plant.
LIISMA also made the first in-county observation of orange candleflower, or Italian arum, (Arum italicum)for Suffolk County. At the New York Natural Heritage Program’s request, LIISMA removed the individual orange candleflower plant to press a specimen and send it to the New York Flora Atlas. This will officially document the species as part of the flora of Suffolk County on the NY Flora Atlas website. LIISMA is excited to contribute to representing the distribution of plants on Long Island!
Conservation Areas
To protect one of our Invasive Species Prevention Zones (Hither Hills Complex, part of the Montauk Peninsula Management Complex), the team headed out east to Napeague to survey fuel breaks in residential areas that are at risk of maiden grass (Miscanthus sinensis) infestations. Maidengrass, or miscanthus, is widely used ornamentally at residences in the area. Many homes and businesses are directly adjacent to natural areas here, including pitch pine-oak-heath woodlands and state rare maritime heathlands and maritime pitch pine dune woodlands. These habitats are at risk of miscanthus establishment by airborne seeds and landscape dumping.
The team surveyed a total of 43 acres in and around Napeague State Park, and was pleased to find only one population of miscanthus in natural areas that likely spread from a nearby residence. NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation was alerted to the population and LIISMA plans to take preventative efforts through targeted outreach to residents. Flyers on miscanthus will encourage its removal and discourage future planting to protect these unique habitats.
To assist partners at the Town of North Hempstead and Nassau County Soil and Water Conservation District, LIISMA conducted a survey of Gerry Park. We explored this park in Roslyn to identify priorities for the site, such as removing a few lone knotweed individuals before it grows to an unmanageable monoculture. The team also followed up with management recommendations to assist new staff at Gerry Park in establishing management priorities and preventing the spread of invasive plants to new areas on site.
