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- NATURAL HISTORY STORIES -
January 2009
Invasive Species
This page was not written as a story. It was written for the City of Prescott Arizona as information for part of their Water Smart guide series . But it is a story that affects all others. Invasive species are a very real threat to the natural diversity of our southwestern ecosystems. How each of these species arrived and how each of them spread is a fascinating testament to the power of adaptablilty. But, as much as these species may be admirable in their ability to survive, and in some cases have become important habitat or food sources, we must take their presence seriously. They are likely here to stay, but it is still worth the effort to monitor them and to try to control their spread as much as possible.
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As we work to save water by carefully selecting plants for our landscapes, it is important to remember that the vigorous growth characteristics of some can also make them a serious problem. Such plants are typically invaders from other parts of the planet, that is, they are not native to our region. They may have been brought intentionally as erosion control, for their quick rates of growth, or as feed plants. They may have been brought in unintentionally as seed in feed, with crop seed, or with animals. These plants often reduce biological diversity and can have severe impacts on local natural systems - both plant and animal communities. Their selection for the home landscape should be strictly avoided, and they should be eradicated if they are present on your property. Be cautious however, and know your plants before you eradicate them. For example, we have a number of beautiful thistles that are native and not invasive. Check the resources at the end of this page for photos and descriptions.
TREES AND SHRUBS
Tree of heaven
Bird of paradise ★
Russian olive**
Sweet resinbush **
Karoo bush ★
Saltcedar **
Chinese elm ★
Siberian elm *
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Ailanthus altissima
Caesalpinia gillesii
Elaeagnus angustifolia
Euryops subcarnosus
Pentzia incana
Tamarix chinensis, T. pentandra, T. ramosissima
Ulmus parvifolia
Ulmus pumila
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VINES AND GROUNDCOVERS
Field bindweed *
Himalayan blackberry *
Bigleaf periwinkle *
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Convolvulus arvensis
Rubus armeniacus, R. discolor
Vinca major
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GRASSES
Giant reed **
Wild oat *
Smooth brome *
Ripgut brome *
Red brome **
Japanese brome
Cheatgrass **
Pampas grass *
Bermudagrass *
Quackgrass (higher elevations)
Weeping & Lehmann ** lovegrass
Mouse barley *
Perennial ryegrass *
Fountain grass (lower elevations) **
Johnsongrass *
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Arundo donax
Avena fatua
Bromus inermis
Bromus diandrus
Bromus rubens
Bromus japonicus
Bromus tectorum
Cortaderia selloana
Cynodon dactylon
Elymus repens
Eragrostis curvula & E. Lehmanniana
Hordeum murinum
Lolium perenne
Pennisetum setaceum
Sorghum halepense
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ANNUALS & PERENNIALS
Russian knapweed **
Camelthorn (lower elevations)
Onionweed
Black mustard
Lens-podded & globed podded hoary cress *
Hairy Whitetop *
Plumeless thistle & musk thistle *
Southern & field sandbur
Knapweed *
Malta starthistle *
Yellow starthistle **
Spotted knapweed
Rush skeletonweed *
Canada thistle (higher elevations) *
Bull thistle (higher elevations)
Poison hemlock *
Common teasel
Redstem filaree *
Leafy spurge **
Perennial pepperweed **
Dalmatian & yellow toadflax *
Purple loosestrife
White sweetclover *
Yellow sweetclover *
Scotch thistle (higher elevations)
Globe chamomile
Japanese knotweed
Russian Thistle *
Wild mustard
Spiny sowthistle *
Annual sowthistle *
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Acroptilon repens
Alhagi maurorum
Asphodelus fistulosus
Brassica niger
Cardaria chalenpensis, C. draba
Cardaria pubescens
Carduus acanthoides, C. nutans
Cenchrus echinatus, C. spinifex
Centaurea diffusa
Centaurea melitensis
Centaurea solstitialis
Centaurea stoebe ssp. micranthus
Chondrilla juncea
Cirsium arvense
Cirsium vulgare
Conium maculatum
Dipsacus fullonum
Erodium cicutarium
Euphorbia esula
Lepidum latifolium
Linaria dalmatica, Linaria vulgaris
Lythrum salicaria
Melilotus alba
Melilotus officinalis
Onopordum acanthium
Oncosiphon piluliferum
Polygonum cuspidatum
Salsola kali, S. tragus
Sinapis arvensis
Sonchus asper
Sonchus oleraceus
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** Plants identified as high concern
* Plants identified as medium concern
★ sometimes used in cultivation, not recommended
Plants included here were selected based on common occurrence in Yavapai County. For a full list of invasive species for Arizona visit you local Cooperative Extension office, and check online:
www.governor.state.az.us/ais/Documents/Final%20Invasive%20Report%20low%20res.pdf
www. swvma.org/InvasiveNon-NativePlantsThatThreatenWildlandsInArizona
For a Yavapai County report: www.fs.fed.us/rm/pubs/rmrs_p051/rmrs_p051_113_120.pdf
Descriptions and Photos: www.ecbarranch.com/adeq%206001/Weeds/handbook.htm, or type scientific name into Google Images.
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Archive of Natural History Stories:
Butterflies and Host Plants - June -July 2008
Highlands Roses - August - September 2008 |
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© 2008 Steve Morgan Landscape Architecture
Photo use for educational purposes, with permission
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