• Enjoying the Mississippi River

    Mississippi

    National River & Recreation Area Minnesota

Exotic Species

Plants and animals introduced from another country or region are called exotic species. Because they are not native to their current area, they don't have natural enemies to control their population. And soon, these exotic species outcompete the native species for both food and space, reducing diversity. Ramsey County has produced a website that lists exotic/invasive plant species.  Some of these species have only recently been introduced and can still be controlled. Others have been growing in the area for some time. Below are several species present in Minnesota.
Black Locust
Black Locust
Canada Thistle
Canada Thistle
Common Buckthorn
Common Buckthorn
Exotic Bush Honeysuckle
Exotic Bush Honeysuckle
Garlic Mustard
Garlic Mustard
Purple Loosestrife
Purple Loosestrife
Reed Canary Grass
Reed Canary Grass
No Image Available
Siberian Elm
Smooth brome grass seedheads against a green backdrop of trees.
Smooth Brome
Spotted Knapweed
Spotted Knapweed

Did You Know?

Lock at St. Anthony Falls

The Upper St. Anthony Falls Lock and Dam within the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area is 49 feet deep.