Winter Berries in Indiana Could Hide Harmful Invasive Plants

If you spend time outdoors this season, the bright red berries showing up across Indiana’s woods and trails might catch your eye.

Hidden Risks Behind Indiana’s Bright Red Winter Berries

The Indiana Department of Natural Resources is reminding Hoosiers that some of the most noticeable berries right now come from two invasive, non-native plants that continue to spread across the state.

How Bittersweet Vines Choke Out Native Indiana Forests

The first is round leaf bittersweet, on the left in the photo above. This vine grows fast, wraps tightly around trees, and can eventually choke out entire sections of forest. Bittersweet berries start yellow in the fall and then split open to reveal a bright red interior. These fruits often stay on the vine through winter, which makes them easier to spot once the leaves are gone. While they may look decorative, they are a sign that the vine is spreading and pushing out native vegetation.

Why Honeysuckle Berries Create Long-Lasting Ecological Damage

The second warning from the DNR Department of Forestry focuses on invasive bush honeysuckle, on the right in the photo above. Its berries are some of the most common red fruits seen in Indiana’s wooded areas each winter. Birds eat them well into the cold months, which creates a chain reaction. Not only do the seeds spread quickly through bird droppings, helping the plant to move easily into new areas, but it's also unhealthy for the birds.

Because Honeysuckle fruit is also very high in sugar, birds fill up on a food source that does not give them the fat or protein they need to survive long migrations or harsh winter temperatures.

Read More: Tips from the NWS to Prepare for Winter Weather

How Hoosiers Can Help Identify and Remove Invasive Plants

Both species damage native habitats and disrupt the balance of Indiana’s ecosystems. DNR encourages residents to learn how to identify these plants and to get involved in removal efforts. Identification guides and volunteer opportunities are available on the Indiana DNR website and on the State of Indiana Cooperative Invasives Management website.

The winter months are one of the easiest times to spot invasive plants, and reporting them and helping with safe removal can make a meaningful difference to local forests and wildlife.