Invasive Species List/Terrestrial Plants

This page contains information on terrestrial plant species on the Invasive Species List. For more general information about the event, see Invasive Species.

Air Potato (Dioscorea bulbifera)

 * Taxonomy: Kingdom-Plantae; (Unranked)-Angiosperms; (Unranked)-Monocots; Order-Dioscoreales; Family-Dioscoreaceae; Genus-Dioscorea; Species-D. bulbifera

Autumn Olive (Elaeagnus umbellata)

 * Taxonomy: Kingdom-Plantae; (Unranked)-Angiosperms; (Unranked)-Eudicots; (Unranked)-Rosids; Order-Rosales; Family-Elaeagnaceae; Genus-Elaeagnus; Species-E. umbellata
 * Introduced in 1830 as an ornamental. In the 1950s it was widely promoted as a great way to provide wildlife habitat and erosion control in environmentally disturbed areas.

Beach Vitex (Vitex rotundifolia)

 * Taxonomy: Kingdom-Plantae; (Unranked)-Angiosperms; (Unranked)-Eudicots; (Unranked)-Asterids; Order-Lamiales; Family-Lamiaceae; Subfamily-Viticoideae; Genus-Vitex; Species-V. rotundifolia

Brazilian Peppertree (Schinus terebinthifolius)

 * Taxonomy: Kingdom-Plantae; (Unranked)-Angiosperms; (Unranked)-Eudicots; (Unranked)-Rosids; Order-Sapindales; Family-Anacardiaceae; Genus-Schinus; Species-S. terebinthifolia

Canada Thistle (Cirsium arvense)

 * Taxonomy: Kingdom-Plantae; (Unranked)-Angiosperms; (Unranked)-Eudicots; (Unranked)-Asterids; Order-Asterales; Family-Asteraceae; Tribe-Cynareae; Genus-Cirsium; Species-C. arvense

Chinese Tallow (Triadica sebifera)

 * Taxonomy: Kingdom-Plantae; (Unranked)-Angiosperms; (Unranked)-Eudicots; (Unranked)-Rosids; Order-Malpighiales; Family:-Euphorbiaceae; Subfamily-Euphorbioideae; Tribe-Hippomaneae; Subtribe-Hippomaninae; Genus-Triadica; Species-T. sebifera

Cogongrass (Imperata cylindrica)

 * Taxonomy: Kingdom-Plantae; (Unranked)-Angiosperms; (Unranked)-Monocots; (Unranked)-Commelinids; Order-Poales; Family-Poaceae; Genus-Imperata; Species-I. cylindrica

Common Buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica)

 * Taxonomy: Kingdom-Plantae; (Unranked)-Angiosperms; (Unranked)-Eudicots; (Unranked)-Rosids; Order-Rosales; Family-Rhamnaceae; Genus-Rhamnus; Subgenus-Rhamnus; Species-R. cathartica

Common Teasel (Dipsacus fullonum)

 * Taxonomy: Kingdom-Plantae; (Unranked)-Angiosperms; (Unranked)-Eudicots; (Unranked)-Asterids; Order-Dipsacales; Family-Caprifoliaceae; Genus-Dipsacus; Species-D. fullonum

Dalmatian Toadflax (Linaria dalmatica)

 * Taxonomy: Kingdom-Plantae; (Unranked)-Angiosperms; (Unranked)-Eudicots; (Unranked)-Asterids; Order-Lamiales; Family-Plantaginaceae; Genus-Linaria; Species-L. dalmatica

Diffuse Knapweed (Centaurea diffusa)

 * Taxonomy: Kingdom-Plantae; (Unranked)-Angiosperms; (Unranked)-Eudicots; (Unranked)-Asterids; Order-Asterales; Family-Asteraceae; Tribe-Cynareae; Genus-Centaurea; Species-C. diffusa

Downy Brome (Bromus tectorum)

 * Taxonomy: Kingdom-Plantae; (Unranked)-Angiosperms; (Unranked)-Monocots; (Unranked)-Commelinids; Order-Poales; Family-Poaceae; Genus-Bromus; Species-B. tectorum

Fig Buttercup (Ficaria verna)

 * Taxonomy: Kingdom-Plantae; (Unranked)-Angiosperms; (Unranked)-Eudicots; Order-Ranunculales; Family-Ranunculaceae; Genus-Ficaria; Species-F. verna

Garlic Mustard (Alliaria petiolata)

 * Taxonomy: Kingdom-Plantae; (Unranked)-Angiosperms; (Unranked)-Eudicots; (Unranked)-Rosids; Order-Brassicales; Family-Brassicaceae; Genus-Alliaria; Species-A. petiolata

Giant Hogweed (Heracleum mantegazzianum)

 * Taxonomy: Kingdom-Plantae; (Unranked)-Angiosperms; (Unranked)-Eudicots; (Unranked)-Asterids; Order-Apiales; Family-Apiaceae; Genus-Heracleum; Species-H. mantegazzianum

Hairy Whitetop (Lepidium appelianum)

 * Taxonomy: Kingdom-Plantae; (Unranked)-Angiosperms; (Unranked)-Eudicots; (Unranked)-Rosids; Order-Brassicales; Family-Brassicaceae; Genus-Lepidium; Species-L. appelianum

Houndstongue (Cynoglossum officinale)

 * Taxonomy: Kingdom-Plantae; (Unranked)-Angiosperms; (Unranked)-Eudicots; (Unranked)-Asterids; Order-(unplaced); Family-Boraginaceae; Genus-Cynoglossum; Species-C. officinale

Japanese Climbing Fern (Lygodium japonicum)

 * Taxonomy: Kingdom-Plantae; Division-Pteridophyta; Class-Polypodiopsida/Pteridopsida (disputed); Order-Schizaeales; Family-Lygodiaceae; Genus-Lygodium; Species-L. japonicum

Japanese Honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica)

 * Taxonomy: Kingdom-Plantae; (Unranked)-Angiosperms; (Unranked)-Eudicots; (Unranked)-Asterids; Order-Dipsacales; Family-Caprifoliaceae; Genus-Lonicera; Species-L. japonica

Japanese Knotweed (Fallopia japonica)

 * Taxonomy: Kingdom-Plantae; (Unranked)-Angiosperms; (Unranked)-Eudicots; (Unranked)-Core eudicots; Order-Caryophyllales; Family-Polygonaceae; Genus-Fallopia; Species-F. japonica

Japanese Spiraea (Spiraea japonica)

 * Taxonomy: Kingdom-Plantae; (Unranked)-Angiosperms; (Unranked)-Eudicots; (Unranked)-Rosids; Order-Rosales; Family-Rosaceae; Genus-Spiraea; Species-S. japonica

Japanese Stilt Grass (Microstegium vimineum)

 * Taxonomy: Kingdom-Plantae; (Unranked)-Angiosperms; (Unranked)-Monocots; (Unranked)-Commelinids; Order-Poales; Family-Poaceae; Subfamily-Panicoideae; Tribe-Andropogoneae; Genus-Microstegium; Species-M. vimineum

Johnsongrass (Sorghum halepense)

 * Taxonomy: Kingdom-Plantae; (Unranked)-Angiosperms; (Unranked)-Monocots; (Unranked)-Commelinids; Order-Poales; Family-Poaceae; Genus-Sorghum; Species-S. halepense

Kudzu (Pueraria montana var. lobata)

 * Taxonomy: Kingdom-Plantae; (Unranked)-Angiosperms; (Unranked)-Eudicots; (Unranked)-Rosids; Order-Fabales; Family-Fabaceae; Subfamily-Faboideae; Tribe-Phaseoleae; Genus-Pueraria; Species-P. montana; Variety-P. m. lobata

Leafy Spurge (Euphorbia esula)

 * Taxonomy: Kingdom-Plantae; (Unranked)-Angiosperms; (Unranked)-Eudicots; (Unranked)-Rosids; Order-Malpighiales; Family-Euphorbiaceae; Genus-Euphorbia;Species-E. esula

Medusahead (Taeniatherum caput-medusae)

 * Taxonomy: Kingdom-Plantae; (Unranked)-Angiosperms; (Unranked)-Monocots; (Unranked)-Commelinids; Order-Poales; Family-Poaceae; Genus-Taeniatherum; Species-T. caput-medusae

Mile-A-Minute Weed (Persicaria perfoliata)

 * Taxonomy: Kingdom-Plantae; (Unranked)-Angiosperms; (Unranked)-Eudicots; (Unranked)-Core eudicots; Order-Caryophyllales; Family-Polygonaceae; Genus-Persicaria; Species-P. perfoliata

Multiflora Rose (Rosa multiflora)

 * Taxonomy: Kingdom-Plantae; (Unranked)-Angiosperms; (Unranked)-Eudicots; (Unranked)-Rosids; Order-Rosales; Family-Rosaceae; Genus-Rosa; Species-R. multiflora

Musk Thistle (Carduus nutans)

 * Taxonomy: Kingdom-Plantae; (Unranked)-Angiosperms; (Unranked)-Eudicots; (Unranked)-Asterids; Order-Asterales; Family-Asteraceae; Tribe-Cynareae; Genus-Carduus; Species-C. nutans

Old World Climbing Fern (Lygodium microphyllum)

 * Taxonomy: Kingdom-Plantae; Division-Pteridophyta; Class-Polypodiopsida / Pteridopsida (disputed); Order-Schizaeales; Family-Lygodiaceae; Genus-Lygodium; Species-L. microphyllum

Princess Tree (Paulownia tomentosa)

 * Taxonomy: Kingdom-Plantae; (Unranked)-Angiosperms; (Unranked)-Eudicots; (Unranked)-Asterids; Order-Lamiales; Family-Paulowniaceae; Genus-Paulownia; Species-P. tomentosa

Purple Star Thistle (Centaurea calcitrapa)

 * Taxonomy: Kingdom-Plantae; (Unranked)-Angiosperms; (Unranked)-Eudicots; (Unranked)-Asterids; Order-Asterales; Family-Asteraceae; Tribe-Cynareae; Genus-Centaurea; Species-C. calcitrapa

Russian Knapweed (Rhaponticum repens)

 * Taxonomy: Kingdom-Plantae; (Unranked)-Angiosperms; (Unranked)-Eudicots; (Unranked)-Asterids Order-Asterales; Family-Asteraceae; Tribe-Cynareae; Genus-Rhaponticum; Species-R. repens

Russian Olive (Elaeagnus angustifolia)

 * Taxonomy: Kingdom-Plantae; (Unranked)-Angiosperms; (Unranked)-Eudicots; (Unranked)-Rosids; Order-Rosales; Family-Elaeagnaceae; Genus-Elaeagnus; Species-E. angustifolia

Saltcedar (Tamarix spp.)

 * Taxonomy: Kingdom-Plantae; (Unranked)-Angiosperms; (Unranked)-Eudicots; (Unranked)-Core eudicots; Order-Caryophyllales; Family-Tamaricaceae; Genus-Tamarix

St. Johnswort (Hypericum perforatum)

 * Taxonomy: Kingdom-Plantae; (Unranked)-Angiosperms; (Unranked)-Eudicots; (Unranked)-Rosids; Order-Malpighiales; Family-Hypericaceae; Genus-Hypericum; Species-H. perforatum

Scotch Broom (Cytisus scoparius)

 * Taxonomy: Kingdom-Plantae; (Unranked)-Angiosperms; (Unranked)-Eudicots; (Unranked)-Rosids; Order-Fabales; Family-Fabaceae; Genus-Cytisus; Species-C. scoparius

Scotch Thistle (Onopordum acanthium)

 * Taxonomy: Kingdom-Plantae; (Unranked)-Angiosperms; (Unranked)-Eudicots; (Unranked)-Asterids; Order-Asterales; Family-Asteraceae; Subfamily-Carduoideae; Tribe-Cynareae; Genus-Onopordum; Species-O. acanthium

Spotted Knapweed (Centaurea stoebe)

 * Taxonomy: Kingdom-Plantae; (Unranked)-Angiosperms; (Unranked)-Eudicots; (Unranked)-Asterids; Order-Asterales; Family-Asteraceae; Tribe-Cynareae; Genus-Centaurea; Species-C. stoebe
 * Appearance:
 * Leaves: rosette leaves are up to about 8 inches long, deeply and alternately lobed. Leaves on the stem are alternate, unstalked, and often hairy, giving them a silvery-gray color. They may be slightly lobed, but are usually unlobed and linear, rarely growing over 3 inches.
 * Flowers: occur in groups of around 25-35 ray flowers in a flower head, usually being pink or purple, and rarely white. Flower heads are up to roughly 0.5 inches in height. Bloom June to October. Bracts of flower heads have short hairs and dark tips, giving a spotted appearance.
 * Impacts:
 * Forms dense monocultures, crowding out native species. May infest rangelands, where it replaces more desirable forage.
 * Decreases infiltration of water into the soil, increasing erosion, and in turn increasing stream sedimentation.

Tree-of-Heaven (Ailanthus altissima)

 * Taxonomy: Kingdom-Plantae; (Unranked)-Angiosperms; (Unranked)-Eudicots; (Unranked)-Rosids; Order-Sapindales; Family-Simaroubaceae; Genus-Ailanthus; Species-A. altissima

Tropical Soda Apple (Solanum viarum)

 * Taxonomy: Kingdom-Plantae; (Unranked)-Angiosperms; (Unranked)-Eudicots; (Unranked)-Asterids; Order-Solanales; Family-Solanaceae; Genus-Solanum; Species-S. viarum

Whitetop (Lepidium draba)

 * Taxonomy: Kingdom-Plantae; (Unranked)-Angiosperms; (Unranked)-Eudicots; (Unranked)-Rosids; Order-Brassicales; Family-Brassicaceae; Genus-Lepidium; Species-L. draba

Witchweed (Striga asiatica)

 * Taxonomy: Kingdom-Plantae; (Unranked)-Angiosperms; (Unranked)-Eudicots; (Unranked)-Asterids; Order-Lamiales; Family-Orobanchaceae; Genus-Striga; Species-S. asiatica

Yellow Star Thistle (Centaurea solstitialis)

 * Taxonomy: Kingdom-Plantae; (Unranked)-Angiosperms; (Unranked)-Eudicots; (Unranked)-Asterids; Order-Asterales; Family-Asteraceae; Tribe-Cynareae; Genus-Centaurea; Species-C. solstitialis

Yellow Toadflax (Linaria vulgaris)

 * Taxonomy: Kingdom-Plantae; (Unranked)-Angiosperms; (Unranked)-Eudicots; (Unranked)-Asterids; Order-Lamiales; Family-Plantaginaceae; Genus-Linaria; Species-L. vulgaris