Officials have discovered a highly invasive plant spreading in the Midwest and issued a warning.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources issued an alert over the discovery of "invasive purple jewelweed," also known as Himalayan balsam. According to the department, the plant isn't common in Michigan, but has been detected in some parts of the Lower Peninsula, marking what has become the only active population in the lower portions of the state.

The discovery was made in Kalamazoo Park by landscape coordinator Hannah Whiteman.

Whiteman said she noticed the "unusual plant" last year and took some images.

Hannah Whiteman, landscape coordinator at Kzoo Parks, encountered the plant last year, independent of the citizen report.

“I knew right away this was an unusual plant, so I took s

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