COLUMBUS, Ohio ( WCMH ) – As warm weather returns to Mississippi, so does a distinctive springtime odor that many liken to rotting fish. The overwhelming aroma is the result of an invasive species that is illegal to plant in some parts of the United States.
The Callery pear tree , which comes in multiple varieties, including Bradford pear, Autumn Blaze and Cleveland Select, is native to Asia and is now considered an invasive plant in the U.S. The tree, primarily grown for its appearance, was introduced to North America in the 1900s for agricultural use.
They can now be found in the eastern part of the U.S., “from New Jersey to Illinois and south to Texas,” according to Invasive.org , a project associated with the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Characterized by its white flowers, the tree quickly became popular in landscaping due to its adaptability, color and shape, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. But the tree has become well-known for something else – its odor. The tree’s blooms typically have a strong unpleasant aroma, which can be likened to rotting fish or puke.