National Park Service workers in West Virginia are asking the public to be on the lookout for an invasive plant species found in the New River Gorge area. Achyranthes japonica, commonly called the chaff flower, is native to east Asia but was first documented in Kentucky in the 1980s. An ecologist found the plant at the Brooklyn Campground last month.The flower can grow multiple stems form a dense cluster, blocking sunlight from native plants near floodplains and riverbanks. The National Park Service has provided characteristics to help identify the invasive species: Leaves are oval-shaped with a pointed tip and smooth edges. Veins move toward the tip of the leaf. In the fall, fruits lay flay against the stalk. Hikers and campers visiting the park are asked to remove any plant materials from clothing or gear to prevent the spread of invasive species. Park staff have asked anyone that sees the plant to file a report on iNaturalist.