Reed Canary Grass is an aggressive sod-forming grass that is over-taking many wetlands and adjacent uplands in North America. Although a native strain exists, a more vigorous Eurasian strain was introduced for use as forage and erosion control. This Eurasian strain out-competes native flora and creates a monotypic (single species) strand that is of little use to wildlife. Reed canary grass can be found in most wetlands within Muskego.

Purple Loosestrife is another invasive plant detrimental to wetlands. Originally introduced from Europe as a garden perennial, this plant has showy purple flowers. However, its impact to wetlands is not so pretty. Like other invaders, it can dominate an area to the extent that many native species are eliminated and the wildlife habitat value is reduced.  The Big Muskego Lake/Bass Bay Protection & Rehabilitation District, City staff, and volunteers successfully introduced Gallerucella beetles as a biological control of purple loosestrife invasions within the community.  These beetles feed almost exclusively on loosestrife and have been very successful in reducing the density of this plant.

Reed Canary Grass

Purple Loosestrife