Purple wintercreeper is shown growing up a tree. When the invasive plant grows vertically, it’s able to flower. The resulting seeds are then eaten by birds and spread. (Courtesy photo)
Purple wintercreeper is shown growing up a tree. When the invasive plant grows vertically, it’s able to flower. The resulting seeds are then eaten by birds and spread. (Courtesy photo)
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To learn more

Join MC-IRIS to learn more about purple wintercreeper and other invasive plants during weekly hands-on Weed Wrangles in Bloomington area parks and the Charles C. Deam Wilderness. During these outdoor events you will learn why invasive plant removal is so important to protect our native habitat. Group size is limited, social distanced and mask wearing; registration is required. To join the events at Southeast Park, Lower Cascades and other areas, contact Gillian Field at gfield104@gmail.com.

For more about MC-IRIS, go to mc-iris.org or check out the group's Facebook page.
A group of Monroe County residents has plans to wipe out a single plant species from the area this year.

Members of MC-IRIS (Monroe County Identify and Reduce Invasive Species) announced they will try to eradicate purple wintercreeper this year — with events as well as education for area residents.

Purple wintercreeper has been growing in residential yards for years as a fast-growing vine that forms a dense groundcover. Unfortunately, those characteristics that make it desirable for some people are the reasons it’s such problem for the native plants that it quickly displaces.

Those characteristics are why MC-IRIS members have decided purple wintercreeper will be the focus of the group’s efforts this year.

“We call it the reduce one invasive species challenge,” said Ellen Jacquart, a volunteer leader with the group. “We choose one species a year. Last year it was Asian bush honeysuckle.”
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