Examples of Invasive Plants

Other lists and databases on invasive plants on the web

INVADERS database system, University of Montana http://invader.dbs.umt.edu/ - A site that tracks nonindigenous plants in the Pacific Northwest, along with compiling noxious weed lists from throughout the country. Has a helpful search tool allowing users to look up plants.

Campbell, Faith (1999) "Plants that hog the garden: invasive plants in the United States" Fine Gardening online edition http://www.taunton.com/fg/features/plants/invasive/1.htm - A supplement to an article that appeared in the February 1999 issue of the magazine; this site lists hundred of nonindigenous plants considered troublesome. Each plant has citations referring to the expert who considered this plant invasive or weedy.

California Exotic Pest Plant Council http://www.caleppc.org/info/plantlist.html - Plants considered invasive in California.

Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council http://www.fleppc.org/ - Invasive plants in in Florida.

Species Used in this site

Name	Common Name	States invasive	For Sale	Habit	Federal Noxious Weed?	Sources	Where used in this site
Acer platanoides	Norway maple	CT, DE, ID, IL (not mgt problem), MA, MD, MN, MT, NY, OR, PA, RI (extremely weedy rather than invasive), TN, VA, VT, WA, WI, WV, northeast	yes	trees		Randall and Marinelli 1996, Campbell 1999	Policies, Q12, Characteristics
Agropyron cristatum	crested wheatgrass	Canada: moderate problem in prairie provinces	yes	grass		Campbell 1999	Economic Impacts
Ailanthus altissima	stinktree, tree of heaven	AZ, CA, CT, DE, ID, IL, IN, KY, MA, MD, MT, NC, NJ, NM, NY, OH, OR, PA, TN, VA, WA, WI, WV	yes	trees		Randall and Marinelli 1996, Anderson 1961, Cronk and Fuller 1995, Hu 1979, Heisey 1990, Lawrence et al 1991, Campbell 1999	Survey, Q11
Arundo donax	giant reed	AZ, CA, NM, OR, TN, VA, WV	yes	grass		Randall and Marinelli 1996, Hoshovsky 1993a, Wagner et al 1990, Jackson et al 1994, Rieger and Kreager 1989, Campbell 1999	Ecological Impacts, Q12
Berberis thunbergii	Japanese barberry	CT, ID, IL, MA, MD, ME, MO, MT, NY, OH, OR, PA, RI, VA, TN, VT, WA, WI, WV	yes	shrubs		Randall and Marinelli 1996, Campbell 1999	Q12
Berberis vulgaris	common or European barberry	ID, IL, MA, MT, NY, PA, RI (not invasive), WA, WI	yes	shrubs		Campbell 1999	Economic Impacts
Bromus tectorum	cheatgrass, downy brome, thatch bromegrass	CA, CO, HI, ID, MT, NV, OR, PA, RI, TN, WA, WI, WV, WY; Colo. Plateau; Canada: Prairies (AB)	yes	grass		Cronk and Fuller 1995, Upadhyaya et al 1986, Billings 1994, Douglas et al 1990, Mack 1981, Pimentel et al 1999, D'Antonio and Vitousek 1992, Invasive Plants Factbook, Campbell 1999	Ecological Impacts
Carpobrotus edulis (=Mesembryanthemum edulis)	freeway iceplant; Hottentot fig	CA		herbaceous		Randall and Marinelli 1996, Campbell 1999	History
Celastrus orbiculatus	oriental bittersweet	CT, DE, IL, IN, MA, MD, MN, MO, NC, NY, PA, RI, TN, VA, VT, WI, WV, northeast; Canada: concern in ON	yes	vines		Randall and Marinelli 1996, Hillier 1983, Robertson et al 1994, NEWFS 1998, Campbell 1999	Results, Controversy, Survey, Q11, Q12, Characteristics
Centaurea maculosa	spotted knapweed	CO, CT, DE, ID, IL, MA, MD, MI, MN, MT, NC, ND, NE, NM, NY, OR, PA, TN, UT, VA, WA, WI, WV, WY; Colo. Plateau; Canada: Envt: minor	yes	herbaceous		Invasive Plants Factbook, Campbell 1999	Ecological Impacts
Cortaderia selloana	pampas grass	CA	yes	grass		Randall and Marinelli 1996, Campbell 1999	Q12
Cupaniopsis anacardioides	carrotwood	FL	yes	shrubs		Randall and Marinelli 1996, Campbell 1999	Q12
Cytisus scoparius	Scotch broom	CA, HI, ID, MA, MT, OR, PA, RI, (present; not spreading much yet), WA; Canada: Envt Canada: minor,	yes	shrubs		Randall and Marinelli 1996, Bossard and Rejmanek 1994, Wagner et al 1990, Cronk and Fuller 1995, Hoshovsky 1993b, Bossard 1991, Campbell 1999	History, Ecological Impacts, Survey, Q11, Q12
Daucus carota	Queen Anne's lace	CT, IA, ID, IL (degraded areas) MA, MI, MN, MO, MT, OH, OR, PA, RI, TN, WA, WI, WY	yes	herbaceous		Campbell 1999	Q12
Eichhornia crassipes	water hyacinth	CA, FL, GA, LA, TX	yes	aquatic		Randall and Marinelli 1996, Scmitz et al 1993, Wagner et al 1990, Cronk and Fuller 1995, Duever et al 1986, Holm et al 1991, Madsen 1997 in Luken and Thieret, Mack 1990, Campbell 1999	History, Characteristics
Elaeagnus angustifolia (=pungens)	Russian olive	AZ, CA, CO, CT, DE, ID, KS, MA, MD, MN, MT, NM, NV, OR, PA, TN, UT, VA, WA, WI, WV, WY, northeast; Colo. Plateau	yes	shrubs		Randall and Marinelli 1996, Hillier 1983, Knopf and Olson 1984, Bovy 1965, Shafroth 1995a, Campbell 1999	History, Survey, Q11, Q12
Elaeagnus umbellata	autumn olive	CT, DE, IL, IN, MA, MD, MO, NY, OH, PA, RI, VA, VT, WV, WI, northeast; Canada: concern in ON	yes	shrubs		Randall and Marinelli 1996, Hillier 1983, Wagner et al 1990, Eckardt 1993, Zimmerman et al 1993, Christensen, Campbell 1999	History, Survey, Q11, Q12
Euonymus alatus	winged euonymus; winged spindle-tree; burning bush	CT, DE, IL, IN, MA, MD, MO, OH, PA, RI, TN, VA, WI; Canada: concern in ON	yes	shrubs		Randall and Marinelli 1996, Campbell 1999	Discussion
Euphorbia esula	leafy spurge	AK, AZ, CA, CO, HI, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, MA, MI, MN, MO, MT, NB, ND, NM, NV, OR, PA, SD, UT, VA, WA, WI, WV, WY; Colo. Plateau; Canada (prairies, local in ON);		herbaceous		The Nature Conservance 1996, Best et al 1980, Britton 1921, Lym and Messersmith 1994, Leistritz et al 1992, Lacey et al 1992, Invasive Plants Factbook, NBII, Campbell 1999	Economic Impacts
Ficus microcarpa; (=F. nitada; =retusa var. nitida)	laurel fig; Chinese or Malayan banyan	CA, FL, HI; 7	yes	trees		Randall and Marinelli 1996, Wagner et al 1990, McKey and Kaufmann 1991, Campbell 1999	Survey, Q11
Gypsophila paniculata	baby's breath	ID, MI, MT, OR, WA, WY	yes	herbaceous		Randall and Marinelli 1996, Campbell 1999	History
Hedera helix	English ivy	AL, AZ, CA, GA, HI, IA, MD, NC, OR, PA, RI, TN, WA? WI, WV; Canada: Envt: minor	yes	vines		Randall and Marinelli 1996, Wagner et al 1990, Costello 1986, Invasive Plants Factbook, Campbell 1999	Introduction, Controversy, Q12, Characteristics
Hibiscus syriacus	shrub althea; rose-of-Sharon	AL; TN "lesser threat"	yes	shrubs		Campbell 1999	Q12
Hydrilla verticillata	Hydrilla	CA, FL, HI, MD, NC, OR, TN, VA, WA?		aquatic	yes	Schmitz et al 193, Cronk and Fuller 1995, Duever et al 1986, Madesen 1997 in Luken and Thieret, NEWFS 1998, Invasive Plants Factbook, Campbell 1999	Economic Impacts
Hypericum perforatum	common St. Johnswort, goatweed	CA, CO, ID, IL, MA, MI, MO, MT, NY, OR, PA, RI, TN?, WA, WI; Canada (BC, PQ, Maritimes)	yes	herbaceous		Campbell 1999	Survey, Q11, Introduction
Imperata cylindrica (= I. brasiliensis)	cogon grass	FL	yes	grass	yes	Randall and Marinelli 1996, Campbell 1999	Q12
Iris pseudacorus	yellow flag	ID, IL (degraded areas), MT, OR, VT, WA; Canada: Envt: minor;	yes	herbaceous		Campbell 1999	Ecological Impacts, Q12
Jasminum dichotomum	Gold Coast jasmine	FL; 7		vines		Randall and Marinelli 1996, Campbell 1999	Survey Q11
Ligustrum japonicum	wax-leaf privet, Japanese privet	FL, GA, LA, RI (present; not yet seriously invasive), TN;	yes	shrubs		Randall and Marinelli 1996, Campbell 1999	Ecological Impacts
Ligustrum sinense	Chinese privet	FL, GA, LA, NC, TN, VA; 5, 6, 8 [AL, AR, FL, GA, LA, MD, MS, NC, OH, OK, RI (present; not yet seriously invasive),	yes	shrubs		Randall and Marinelli 1996, Mowatt 1981, Campbell 1999	Survey, Q11
Lonicera japonica	Japanese honeysuckle	AK, AL, CT, DC, DE, GA, FL, HI, IL, IN, IA, LA, MA, MD, MO, NC, NJ, NY, OH, OK, PA, RI, SC, TN, VA, WI, VT, WV, northeast;	yes	vines		Randall and Marinelli 1996, Hillier 1983, Mack 1991, Schierenbect et al 1994, Sasek and Strain 1990, Campbell 1999	Survey, Q11, Discussion, History, Q12
Lonicera tatarica	Tartarian honeysuckle	CT, DE, ID, IL, IN, MA, MD, MN, MT, NY, OR, PA, RI, VA, VT, WA, WI, WV, WY; northeast; 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 10, 15 [AR, CT, IA, IL, MA, NC, NY, OH, PA, VA, VT, WI, WV]; Canada (ON, PQ, Maritimes local)	yes	shrubs		Randall and Marinelli 1996, Woods 1993, Hillier 1983, Campbell 1999	History, Q11
Lythrum salicaria	purple loosestrife	48 continental states, possibly minus FL; Canada - national	yes	herbaceous		Randall and Marinelli 1996, Stucky 1980, Mal et al 1992, Anderson 1995, Muth and Hamburg 1998, Muth 1997, Thompson et al 1987, NBII, Invasive Plants Factbook, Campbell 1999	Survey, Q11, Introduction, Results, Methods, Discussion, Economic Impacts, Policies, Conclusions, Q12
Melaleuca quinquenervia	melaleuca; paperbark tree; swamp tea tree	FL, HI;		trees	yes	Randall and Marinelli 1996, Duever et al 1986, Wagner et al 1990, Bodle et al 1994, Cronk and Fuller 1995, Laroche and Ferriter 1992, Myers 1983, Invasive Plants Factbook, Pimentel et al 1999, Campbell 1999	Ecological Impacts
Melia azedarach	Chinaberry	FL, GA, TN, TX;	yes	trees		Randall and Marinelli 1996, Campbell 1999	Survey, Q11
Mesembryanthemum crystalinum	crystalline iceplant	CA		herbaceous		Woods 1997, Mack 1991, Cronk and Fuller 1995, Kloot 1983, Vivrette and Muller 1977, Moss 1994, Campbell 1999	Ecological Impacts
Miscanthus sinensis	zebra grass; silvergrass	NC, PA, TN, WV;	yes	grass		Randall and Marinelli 1996, Campbell 1999	Q12
Myrica faya	faya tree	HI		trees		Cuddihy and Stone 1990, Cronk and Fuller 1995, Walker and Smith 1997 in Luken and Thieret, Vitousek and Walker 1989, Vitousek et al 1987	Ecological Impacts
Nandina domestica	nandina; heavenly bamboo	FL		shrubs		Randall and Marinelli 1996, Campbell 1999	Results
Pennisetum setaceum	fountain grass	AZ, CA, HI, OR? WA?	yes	grass		Mack 1991, Cuddihy and Stone 1990, Cronk and Fuller 1995, Williams et al 1995, Campbell 1999	Q12: Pennisetum "Moudry"
Phragmites australis	Phragmites, Common Reed	Eastern Seaboard		grass		NEWFS 1998	Introduction
Pueraria montana; (=P. lobata; triloba; thunburgiana)	kudzu	AL, AR, FL, GA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MD, MO, MS, NC, OH, OK, SC, PA, TN, TX, VA, WV, northeast	yes	vines	yes	Frankel 1989, Wagner et al 1990, Cronk and Fuller 1995, Frankel 1989, Sasek and Strain 1989, Sasek and Strain 1990, Invasive Plants Factbook, NBII, Campbell 1999	Introduction, Discussion, Policies, History, Q12
Rhamnus cathartica	common buckthorn	CT, IA, ID, IL, IN, MA, MD, MN, MO, MT, NY, PA, VA, VT, WI, WV, WY;	yes	shrubs		Randall and Marinelli 1996, Campbell 1999	Q11
Rhamnus frangula	glossy buckthorn; alder buckthorn	CT, IL, IN, MA, MD, MI, MN, OH, PA, RI, TN?, VA, VT, WI;	yes	shrubs		Randall and Marinelli 1996, Godwin 1943a, Catling and Porebski 1994, Campbell 1999	Q12
Rosa multiflora	multiflora rose; baby rose	AL, CT, DE, GA, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, NJ, NY, OH, OR, PA, RI, TN, VA, VT, WA, WI, WV, northeast;	yes	shrubs		Randall and Marinelli 1996, Hillier 1983, Eaton 1822, Brothers and Spingarn 1992, Zimmerman et al 1993, Stiles 1982, Campbell 1999	Survey, Q11, Discussion, Q12
Rubus discolor (=R. procerus)	Himalaya berry, blackberry	CA, ID, OR, PA, WA; 4, 5, 8, 11, 12, AZ, CA, NV, OR, WA; minor in Canada		shrubs		Campbell 1999	Survey, Q11
Sapium sebiferum	popcorn tree; Chinese tallow tree	FL, GA, LA, TX; AL, FL, GA, LA, MS, NC, SC, TX	yes	trees		Randall and Marinelli 1996, Bruce et al 1995, Jones and McLeod 1989, USGS, Campbell 1999	Q12
Schefflera actinophylla; (=Brassaia actinophylla)	schefflera; Australian umbrella tree	FL, HI	yes	shrubs		Randall and Marinelli 1996, Invasives Roundtable 1999, Campbell 1999	Survey, Q11, Introduction
Schinus terebinthifolius	Brazilian pepper; Christmasberry	CA, FL, HI	yes	shrubs		Randall and Marinelli 1996, Mack 1991, Morton 1978, Wagner et al 1990, Cronk and Fuller 1995, Doren and Whitaker 1990a, Doren and Whitaker 1990b, Doren and Whitaker 1991, Campbell 1999	Economic Impacts
Sorghum bicolor	shattercane	IA, ID, MD, MT, OH, OR, PA, WA, WI	yes	grass		Campbell 1999	Economic Impacts
Sorghum halapense	Johnsongrass	AR, AZ, CA, DE, FL, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MD, MO, MT, NM, OH, OK, OR, PA, TX, VA, WA, WV WY	yes	grass		Invasive Plants Factbook, Campbell 1999	Economic Impacts
Spartina anglica	cord grass	CA		grass		Campbell 1999	Ecological Impacts
Tamarix spp.	salt cedar; tamarisk	AZ, CA, CO, KS, MT, NB, NM, NV, OR, SD, TX, UT, WY; Colo. Plateau		trees		Randall and Marinelli 1996, Horton 1964, Cuddihy and Stone 1990, Crins 1989, DeLoach 1997 in Luken and Thieret, Walker and Smith 1997 in L &T, Barrows 1993, Sudrock 1993, Everitt and DeLoach 1990, Shafroth et al 1995b, Baum 1967, Invasive Plants Factbook, NBII, Campbell 1999	Survey Q11, Ecological Impacts, Q12, Introduction
Taraxacum officinale	common dandelion	ID, MT, OR, WA, WY; Canada: BC local		herbaceous		Campbell 1999	Economic Impacts
Taxus cuspidata	Japanese Yew	CT		shrubs		Randall and Marinelli 1996	Background on this page
Vinca minor	periwinkle	GA, IN, MD, MI, OR, PA, TN, VA, WA? WI, WV, Canada: Envt: minor	yes	vines		Randall and Marinelli 1996, Campbell 1999	History, Q12

Sources

Most sources found in the Species Infomation Appendix and References of JO Luken and JW Thieret, eds (1997) Assessment and Management of Plant Invasions New York: Springer.

Anderson E (1961) The tree of heaven, Ailanthus altissima. I. A blessing and a curse. Missouri Bot Gard Bull 49:105-107.

Anderson MG (1995) Interactions between Lythrum salicaria and native organisms: a critical review. Environm Managem 19:225-231

Barrows CW (1993) Tamarisk Control. II. A success story. Restoraction Managem Notes 11(1): 35-38.

Baum BR (1967) Introduced and naturalized tamarisks in the United States and Canada (Tamaricaceae). Baileya 15:19-25.

Best KF, GG Bowes, AG Thomas, MG Maw (1980) The biology of Canadian weeds. 39. Euphorbia esula L. Canad J Pl Sci 60:651-663.

Billings, WD (1994) Ecological impacts of cheatgrass and resultant fire on ecosystems in the western Great Basin. In: Monsen SB, SG Kitchen (eds) Proceedings—Ecology and Management of Annual Rangelands. USDA Forest Serv Gen Techn Rep INT-GTR 313 USDA Forest Service, Intermountain Research Station, Ogden, Utah; pp 22-30.

Bodle, MJ, AP Ferriter, DD Thayer (1994) The biology, distribution, and ecological consequences of Melaleuca quinquenervia. In: Davis SM, Ogden JC (eds) Everglades: The Ecosystem and its restoration. St Lucie Press, Delray Beach, Florida; pp. 341-355.

Bossard CC (1991) The role of habitat disturbance, seed predation and ant dispersal on establishment of the exotic shrub Cytisus scoparius in California. Amer Midl Naturalist 126:1-13.

Bossard CC and M Rejmanek (1994) Herbivory, growth, seed production , and resprouting of an exotic invasive shrub Cytisus scoparius. Biol Conservation 67:193-200.

Bovey RW (1965) Control of Russian olive by aerial application of herbicides. J Range Managem 18:194-195.

Britton NL (1921) The leafy spurge becoming a pest. J New York Bot Gard 22:73-75.

Brothers TS and A Spingarn (1992) Forest fragmentation and alien plant invasion in central Indiana old-growth forests. Conservation Biol 6:91-100.

Bruce KA, GN Cameron, PA Harcombe (1995) Initiation of a new woodland type on the Texas Coastal Prairie by the Chinese tallow tree (Sapium sebiferum (L.) Roxb.). Bull Torrey Bot Club 122:215-225.

Campbell, F (1999) Plants that hog the garden: invasive plants in the United States. Fine Gardening online edition http://www.taunton.com/fg/features/plants/invasive/1.htm

Catling PM and ZS Porebski (1994) The history of invasion and current status of glossy buckthorn, Rhamnus frangula, in southern Ontario. Canad Field-Naturalist 108:305-310.

Christensen EM (1963) Naturalization of Russian olive (Elaeagnus angustifolia L.) in Utah. Amer Midl Naturalist 70:133-137.

Costello LR (1986) Control of ornamentals gone wild: pampas grass [Cortaderia jubata], bamboo, English and Algerian ivy [Hedera helix]. Proceedings of the 38^th California Weed Conference. California Weed Conference Office, Sacramento, California; pp. 162-170.