WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) - For nearly seven years, Prophetstown State Park has dealt with a troublesome plant growing in their prairies.

Sericea Lespedeza is an invasive plant originating from Asia and can be found in large fields and woodlands. The plant was introduced to the western hemisphere for benefits to forging animals and erosion control.

However, the plant is aggressive, having the potential to take over fields.

Jenna Parks, an Interpretive Naturalist for Prophetstown, said the plant isn’t only quick working, it has many ways of getting around the country.

“Especially by machinery.” said Parks.”If you're mowing in an area and you don't clean off your equipment as you're moving, that seed can get stuck in the tires and other parts of that equipment and be transferred to a new location.”

Parks says they're taking this issue seriously, resorting to mowing entire fields, burning them, and then using chemicals to remove the invasive plant.