(COLDWATER) - Michigan natural resources officials are warning residents to watch for the fast spread of lesser celandine, an invasive plant now blooming in parts of the state.
The non-native plant is easy to spot this time of year with its bright yellow flowers and heart-shaped leaves.
Despite its appearance, officials say the plant poses a serious threat to native ecosystems because it emerges very early in the spring and forms dense mats that crowd out native wildflowers before they can grow.
The plant is especially difficult to control because it disappears by mid-June, dying back underground while roots and tubers continue spreading out of sight.
State officials are asking residents to report sightings through the Midwest Invasive Species Information Network so specialists can better track where it is spreading.
Natural resource experts say early detection is critical because established patches become extremely difficult to remove once they take hold in lawns or wooded areas.