Central Texas Invasive Plants

VOLUNTEERFIELD GUIDE

Central TexasInvasive Plants

e d u c a t I O Nrestoration

restoration

www.austintexas.gov/invasive


United States Department of Agriculture plant codes are included in this guide. plants.usda.govTHIS PLANT LIST IS ONLY A RECOMMENDATION AND HAS NO LEGAL EFFECT IN THE STATE OF TEXAS. IT IS LAWFUL TO SELL, DISTRIBUTE, IMPORT, OR POSSESS A PLANT ON THIS LIST UNLESS THE TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE LABELS THE PLANT AS NOXIOUS OR INVASIVE ON THE DEPARTMENT’S PLANT LIST.

TREES

Ailanthus altissima 1

Albizia julibrissin 3

Broussonetia papyrifera 5

Firmiana simplex 7

Ligustrum japonicum 9

Ligustrum lucidum 9

Ligustrum vulgare 9

Melia azedarach 11

Pistacia chinessis 13

Triadica sebifera 15

SHRUBS

Ligustrum quihoui 17

Ligustrum sinense 17

Nandina domestica 19

Photinia serratifolia 21

Photinia x frazeri 21

Pyracantha coccinea 23

Tamarix spp. 25 Vitex agnus-castus 27

VINES

Lonicera japonica 29

Macfadyena unguis-cati 31

Pueraria Montana var. lobata 33

Wisteria sinensis 35

HERBS

Centaurea melitensis 37

Colocasia esculenta 39

Cyrtomium falcatum 41

Rapistrum rugosum 43

Verbena brasiliensis 45

GRASSES

Arundo donax 47

Bothriochloa ischaemum 49

Cynodon dactylon 51

Phyllostachys aurea 53

Sorghum halepense 55

AQUATIC

Eichhornia crassipes 57

Hydrilla verticillata 59

Myriophyllum spicatum 61

Top 24 Austin Invasive Plants of 2013


TREES

Tree of Heaven 1

Mimosa, Silk Tree 3

Paper Mulberry 5

Chinese Parasol Tree 7

Large Leaf Privets 9

Chinaberry 11

Chinese Pistache 13

Chinese Tallow 15

SHRUBS

Small Leaf Privets 17

Heavenly Bamboo 19

Photinia (red tip) 21

Photinia (Tawainese) 21

Scarlet Firethorn 23

Salt Cedar, Tamarisk 25

Lilac Chastetree 27

VINES

Japanese Honeysuckle 29

Catclaw Vine 31

Kudzu 33

Chinese Wisteria 35

HERBS

Maltese Star Thistle 37

Elephant Ear 39

Japanese Hollyfern 41

Annual Bastard Cabbage 43

Brazilian Vervain 45

GRASSES

Giant Cane 47

KR Bluestem 49

Bermudagrass 51

Golden Bamboo 53

Johnsongrass 55

AQUATIC

Common Water Hyacinth 57

Hydrilla 59

Eurasian Watermilfoil 61

Top 24 Austin Invasive Plants of 2013United States Department of Agriculture plant codes are included in this guide. plants.usda.govTHIS PLANT LIST IS ONLY A RECOMMENDATION AND HAS NO LEGAL EFFECT IN THE STATE OF TEXAS. IT IS LAWFUL TO SELL, DISTRIBUTE, IMPORT, OR POSSESS A PLANT ON THIS LIST UNLESS THE TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE LABELS THE PLANT AS NOXIOUS OR INVASIVE ON THE DEPARTMENT’S PLANT LIST.

TREE OF HEAVENAilanthus altissima

AIAL

Identification• Deciduousoverstorytree• Lightgraytowhitishbark,fairlysmooth• Alternate,compoundleaves• Baseleafletwillhaveglandulartoothnearitsbase• Seedsheldinlargepaperysamaras.Oneseedpersamara

Leaf Seeds

TREE1.

Flowering tree Bloom

TREE

TREE OF HEAVENAilanthus altissima

AIAL

Habitat: Alongroadsandrightofways;cannottoleratefloodingorextremeshade.

Ecological Impact: Allelopathic-producestoxinsthatsuppressthegrowthofotherplantspeciesaswellaschang-ingthesoilchemistry.Fastgrowerandspreadsrapidly.Mayformmonoculturesovertime.

Similar Native Species: DesertWillow,HoneyLocust,HoneyMesquite,Retama,FragrantMimosa

Removal: Pullplantsbyhandwhenyoung.UseaWeedWrenchTMfor2.5"diameterandsmaller.Cuttreestostumpsandremovesproutsastheyappear.Discardseeds.

Spreading: Spreadsbyseedsfromfemaletreesandcolonizesbyrootsprouts.

2.

MIMOSA, SILK TREEAlbizia julibrissin

ALJU

Identification• Deciduousoverstorytree• Growsto40'• Lightgraytowhitishbark,fairlysmoothwithraiseddotsanddashes

• Alternate,compoundleaves• Oftenmulti-trunked• Baseleafletwillhaveglandulartoothnearitsbase• Showypinkflowersbloomfromspringtosummer• Seedsheldinflatbeanpod,5-7"long

Seed Pods Foliage

TREE3.

MIMOSA, SILK TREEAlbizia julibrissin

ALJU

Habitat: Occursondry-to-wetsitesalongstreambanks.

Ecological Impact: Competeswithnativetreesandshrubsinopenareasandforestedges.Maycreatedensestandsthatreducethesunlightandnutrientsavailabletootherplants.

Similar Native Species: DesertWillow,HoneyLocust,HoneyMesquite,Retama,FragrantMimosa

Removal: Pullplantsbyhandwhenyoung.UseaWeedWrenchTMfor2.5"diameterandsmaller.Cuttreestostumpsandremovesproutsastheyappear.Discardseeds.Spreading: Spreadsbyseeds,colonizesbyrootsprouts.

TREE4.

PAPER MULBERRYBroussonetia papyrifera

BRPA4

Identification• Deciduousoverstorytree• Growsupto45’• Leafshapevaries;somehavea“mitten”appear-ance;fuzzyandroughontop,velvetyunderneath

• Fruitsareroundandredtoorange• Smoothbarkwithsomefurrows• Softbrittlewood•Milkywhitesapwhenleavesarebrokenoffatthestem

• Twigshavereddishbrownhairs

Male flower in spring Fruit in summer

TREE5.

Habitat: Thrivesinopenhabitatssuchasforests,fieldedges,riverterraces,anddisturbedareas.Riverterracesareespeciallypronetoinvasionbythistreespecies.

Ecological Impact: Exhibitsaggressivegrowthandquicklyinvadesdisturbedlandsdisplacingnativeplants.Ithasashallowrootsystemthatmakethetreessusceptibletoblowoverduringhighwinds.

Similar Native Species: RedMulberry,Redbud,Catalpa,CherryLaurel,TexasPersimmon

Removal: Removesmallplantsbyhand.UseaWeedWrenchTMfor2.5"diameterandsmaller.Spreading: Spreadsbyseeds,colonizesbyrootsprouts.

PAPER MULBERRYBroussonetia papyrifera

BRPA4

TREE

6.

CHINESE PARASOL TREEFirmiana simplex

FISI2

Identification• Deciduousoverstorytree• Growsto30’-40’• Large12"leaveswith3-5lobes,leavesbrightgreenaboveandfuzzyunderside,yellow fallfoliage

• Greenbark• Flowersinmid-summer

Green Bark Leaf

TREE7.

CHINESE PARASOL TREEFirmiana simplex

FISI2

Leaves Fruit

TREE

Habitat: Prefersmoistareas

Ecological Impact: Crowdsoutnativeplants.Aprobleminsouthernhardwoodforests.MostlikelytobefoundinriparianareasinAustin

Similar Native Species: BaldCypress,AmericanSycamore,ArizonaCypress

Removal: Pullplantsbyhandwhenyoung.UseaWeedWrenchTMfor2.5"diameterandsmaller.Cuttreestostumpsandremovesproutsastheyappear.Discardseeds.Spreading: Spreadbyseeds

8.

PRIVETS, LARGE LEAFLigustrum lucidum - LILU2Ligustrum japonicum - LIJALigustrum vulgare - LIVU

Identification• Fastgrowingevergreentree• Growsto15’to40’• Oppositeleavesaredarkgreen,withapalergreenundersurfaceandhavenarrow, translucentmargins

• Smallwhiteflowersbloominspring• Clustersofblueberriesresemblingasmallgrapecluster

• L. vulgare specific:deciduousshrub,fruithangsonintowinter

TREE

Japanese Privet Leaves9.

Flowers

Berries

TREE

Habitat: Woodedandriparianareas.

Ecological Impact: Hasthepotentialtoreplacemid-canopytreesinforestsandcompletelydominateanareaofforestorforestfragmentsifnotcontrolled.

Similar Native Species: CherryLaurel,Silktassle

Removal: Pullplantsbyhandwhenyoung.UseWeedWrench™for2.5"diameterandsmaller.Cuttreestostumps–removesproutsastheyappear.Disposeofseeds.

Spreading: Spreadsbyseeds,colonizesbyrootsprouts.

PRIVETS, LARGE LEAFLigustrum lucidum - LILU2Ligustrum japonicum - LIJALigustrum vulgare - LIVU

10.Glossy Privet Leaves

CHINABERRYMelia azedarach

MEAZ

Identification• Deciduous,oftenmulti-trunked,treewithanopencrown

• Growsto50’• Alternate,muskysmellingdarkgreenleaves• Youngbarkissmoothwithwhitelenticels.Olderbarkisrougher

• Glossygreenish-brownstemswithlightdots• Purplefragrantflowersinthespring• Yellowfallfoliagewithyellowberries

Spring Flowers Mature Fruit

TREE

11.

CHINABERRYMelia azedarach

MEAZ

Bark Leaves

TREE

Habitat: Roadsides,olderhomesitesandfloodplains

Ecological Impact: LeaflitteralterssoilchemistrybyincreasingthenitrogenandpH.Crowdsoutnativeplants.Haschemicaldefenses,fewinsectseatit.Berriespoisonoustohumansandsomemammals.

Similar Native Species: MexicanPlum,Pecan,Honeylocust

Removal: Pullplantsbyhandwhenyoung.UseaWeedWrenchTMfor2.5"diameterandsmaller.Cuttreestostumpsandremovesproutsastheyappear.Discardseeds.Spreading: Spreadsvegetativelyandbyseed.Prolific seedproducer.

12.

CHINESE PISTACHEPistacia chinensis

PICH4

Identification• Compoundoppositeleaveswithupto10pairsofleaflets

• Yellowtoorangetoscarletleavesinthefall• Growsto25’• Deciduoustree• Glossygreenleafletsinspringandsummer• Redseedsturnblueinfall

Red Fruit Leaves

TREE

13.

CHINESE PISTACHEPistacia chinensis

PICH4

Seeds Fall Foliage

TREE

Habitat: Woodlandsandfieldsnearurbanareas.

Ecological Impact: Recentescapesraiseconcernsaboutthistreereplacingnativespecies.

Similar Native Species: BigtoothMaple,TexasRedOak,Flame-leafSumac

Removal: Pullplantsbyhandwhenyoung.UseaWeedWrenchTMfor2.5"diameterandsmaller.Cuttreestostumpsandremovesproutsastheyappear.Discardseeds.Spreading: Spreadsbyseedsfrommaturefemaletrees.

14.

Flowers Fruit 15.

TREE

CHINESE TALLOW TREETriadica sebifera

TRSE6

Identification• Deciduoustree• Growsto60'• Heart-shapedalternateleaves• Flowerswithlongyellow,spike-likebranchesinfall

• Threelobedsmallclusteredfruitssplittoreleasepopcorn-likeseedsinspring

• Leavesreleasewhite,milkysubstancewhencut

CHINESE TALLOW TREETriadica sebifera

TRSE6

Fall FoliageBark

TREE

Habitat: Wetlands,streambanks,openfieldsanddisturbedareas.

Ecological Impact: Severelyimpactsriparianareasandwetlandsandcanchangethechemistryofwater,increasingtherateofeutrophication.Leavesdecayquickly,increasingthelevelofnitrogenandphosphorous.

Similar Native Species: BigtoothMaple,TexasRedbud,CedarElm,RedOak

Removal: Removeseedlingsbyhand.UseaWeedWrenchTMfor2.5"diameterandsmaller.Cuttreestostumpsandremovesproutsasneeded.Discardseeds.Spreading: Spreadsbyseeds,colonizesbyrootsprouts.

16.

PRIVETS, SMALL LEAFLigustrum quihoui - LIQU2

Ligustrum sinense - LISI

Identification• Semi-evergreentoevergreenshrub• Growsto3'to9'• Oppositeleaves,withshortpetioles;bladesupto2"long,usuallyroundedatthetip

• Flowerswhite,fragrant,about3/8"wide,innar-rowclustersupto4"long,appearingfromspringthroughsummer

• Fruitberrylike,bluishblack,inclusters,andhangsonintowinter

Fall Berries Leaves17.

SHRUB


Ecological Impact: Outcompetesnativevegetationandwhennotcontrolledcancreateamonoculturechangingtheunderstoryofaforest.Oftenformsdensethickets,particularlyinforestsandcreeksides.

Similar Native Species: Yaupon,WaxMyrtle,Possumhaw

Removal: Pullplantsbyhandwhenyoung.UseWeedWrench™for2.5"diameterandsmaller. Cuttreestostumps–removesproutsas theyappear.Discardseeds.

Spreading:Birdsdisperseseedsrapidly.

PRIVETS, SMALL LEAFLigustrum quihoui - LIQU2

Ligustrum sinense - LISI

18.

SHRUB

Identification• Erect,evergreenshrub• Growsto8’• Glossy,dark-greenbipinnatelycompoundleaves•Multiplestemsthatresemblebamboo• Leavesturnredinfall• Redberriesinfallandwinter•Whitetolightpinkblossoms

Flowers Berries

SHRUB

HEAVENLY BAMBOO, SACRED BAMBOO

Nandina domesticaNADO

19.

Habitat: Shadyareasofforestsandwoodedareas.

Ecological Impact: Crowdsoutnativeplants.Candominateunderstory.Producesmanybrightredberriesthatareattractivetobirdsthatdispersetheseeds.

Similar Native Species: TexasSage,AutumnSage,Yaupon

Removal: Ifdigging,removealltheroots.Cutplantsasclosetogroundaspossible.Repeatasplantsresproutforseveralgrowingseasonsuntilenergyreservesofrhizomesareexhausted.Discardseeds.

Spreading: Spreadbyseedsandrootsprouts.A3’deepbarrierenclosingtheplantreducesspreading.

SHRUB

HEAVENLY BAMBOO, SACRED BAMBOO

Nandina domesticaNADO

Many horticultural cultivars exist, most of which are considered invasive. Some do not produce viable seeds. 20.

Identification• Erect,evergreenshrub• Growsto8'inCentralTexasbutmaygrow15-30'inotherareas

• Glossy,dark-greenbipinnatelycompoundleaves• Leavesturnredinfall• Redberriesinfallandwinter•Whitetolightpinkblossoms

PHSE17 PHFR9

SHRUB

TAIWANESE PHOTINIAPhotinia serratifolia-PHSE17RED TIPPED PHOTINIA

Photinia x frazeri-PHFR9

21.

P. serratifolia P. x fraseri

SHRUB

Habitat: Frequentinjuniper-oakwoodlandsonlimestoneslopesandincanyonbottoms,oftencommonnearolderresidentialdevelopments.

Ecological Impact: Cancrowdoutnativeplants.

Similar Native Species: CherryLaurel,SilkTassle,Possumhaw,EvergreenSumac

Removal:Pullplantsbyhandwhenyoung.UseWeedWrench™for2.5"diameterandsmaller.Cuttreestostumps–removesproutsastheyappear.Discardseeds.Spreading: Spreadsbyseeds.

TAIWANESE PHOTINIAPhotinia serratifolia-PHSE17RED TIPPED PHOTINIA

Photinia x frazeri-PHFR9

22.

Identification• Tangledevergreenshrub• Growsto20'• Simpleroundedleaves• Short,straightsidestemsendinapointcreatingathorn

•Whiteflowersinspringthroughsummer• Clustersoffleshyorange-redberriesinfallandwinter

Berries Flowers

SHRUB

SCARLET FIRETHORNPyracantha coccinea

PYCO2

23.

Habitat: Edgeofwoodedareas.

Ecological Impact: Crowdsoutnativeplants.Candominateunderstory.

Similar Native Species: EvergreenSumac,Agarita,Yaupon

Removal: Cutbacktobaseofplantwithloppersoratreesaw.Discardseeds.

Spreading: Birdseatberriesanddisperseseeds.

SHRUB

SCARLET FIRETHORNPyracantha coccinea

PYCO2

Seeds Diagram24.

SALT CEDAR OR TAMARISKTamarix spp.TAMAR2

Identification• Smalltree,largeshrub• Growsto10-15'• Deciduousorevergreen• Narrow,thin,grayishgreenalternateleaves• Scalelikeleaves,reddishbrownstemsandbark• Pinktowhiteflowersspringthroughsummer• Formsdensethickets

Scale-like Leaves Pink Flowers25.

SHRUB

SALT CEDAR OR TAMARISKTamarix spp.TAMAR2

Flowering Plant Foliage

Habitat: Riparianandwetareas.

Ecological Impact: Crowdsoutnativeplants.Degradeswildlifehabitatofthreatenedandendangeredspecies.Useslargequantitiesofscarcegroundwater.Reducesstreamflowsandaltersstreamchannels.

Similar Native Species: DesertWillow,TexasRedbud,HoneyMesquite,BlackWillow

Removal: Handpullplantsunder1"diameter.Largethicketscanbebulldozedbyrootplowing.Floodingwillkillplantsifrootcrownsaresubmergedforatleastthreemonths.Discardseeds.Spreading: Spreadsbyseeds,vegetativeroots.

26.

SHRUB

LILAC CHASTE-TREEVitex agnus-castus

VIAG

Identification• Deciduoussmalltreeorlargeshrub• Growsto20'• Leavesaregrayishgreentodarkgreen,finger-like,palmatelycompoundwith5-9leaflets

• Purplespikesofbloomsspringtofall

Leaf Fruit27.

SHRUB

LILAC CHASTE-TREEVitex agnus-castus

VIAG

Flower Leaf cluster

Habitat: Riparianareas.

Ecological Impact: Crowdsoutnativeplantsespeciallyinriparianareas.InvasionshavebeennotedinAustinnaturepreserves.Donotplantnearcreeksandpreserves

Similar Native Species: AmericanBeautyberry,RedBuckeye,MexicanBuckeye

Removal: Removeseedlingsbyhand.UseaWeedWrenchTMfor2.5"diameterandsmaller.Cuttreestostumpsandremovesproutsastheyappear.Discardseeds.Spreading: Spreadbyseeds.

28.

SHRUB

Identification• Semi-evergreentrailingorclimbingvine• Growsto80+'• Elongated,oppositeleavesareusuallyglabrous•Whiteandyellowtrumpetlikeflowers• Blackberriesthatcanbedispersedbybirdsandmammals

Berries Flowers

VINE

sbc.utexas.edu

JAPANESE HONEYSUCKLELonicera japonica

LOJA

29.

Diagram Leaves

VINE

JAPANESE HONEYSUCKLELonicera japonica

LOJA

Habitat: Disturbedareas,roadsides,woodlandedgesandabandonedfields.

Ecological Impact: Crowdsoutnativeplants.Candominategroundcoverandunderstory.

Similar Native Species: CoralHoneysuckle,TrumpetVine,PurplePassionVine,Crossvine

Removal: Removesmallplantsbyhandincludingroots.Mowingmayslowvegetativespread.

Spreading: Spreadsvegetativelyandbyseeds.

30.

Identification• Climbingwoodyvine• Branchesandrunnerswithadventitious aerialroots

• Leavesopposite,compound,with2leaflets• Tipsoftendrilforksstifflyhooked,claw-like• Flowersareyellowfloraltubeswithorangelinesinthethroat

Flower Leaves

VINE

CATCLAW VINEMacfadyena unguis-cati

MAUN3

31.

Tuber Tendrils

VINE


Ecological Impact: Densematwillcovertheforestfloorandsmothernativevegetation,includingtrees.Areasthataresusceptibletoinvasiontocatclawvineincluderiverorstreambanks,nearhumanhabitations,andundisturbedareas.

Similar Native Species: CarolinaJessamine,TrumpetCreeper,Crossvine

Removal:Digupsmallplantsbyhand,includingtubers.Mowingmayslowvegetativespreadandpreventtheplantfromproducingseeds.Discardseeds.

Spreading:Spreadsbylongrunnersandbyseed. Prolificseedproducer.

CATCLAW VINEMacfadyena unguis-cati

MAUN3

32.

Identification• Climbing,semi-woodyperennialvine• Growsto100+'rapidly• Alternateleaveswith3leaflets,upto4"across,hairymargins

• Hairystems• Purpleclustersofpealikeflowers;grapesmell

Seed Pods Leaves

VINE

KUDZUPueraria montana var. lobata

PUMOL

33.

Flower Bark

VINE

Habitat: Roadsides,abandonedlotsandalongstreambanks.Ecological Impact: Crowdsoutnativeplants.Candominateunderstory.

Similar Native Species: LeatherFlower,PurplePassionvine, TrumpetCreeper

Removal: Call512-974-2550immediatelyifsighted.

Spreading: Spreadsprimarilybyrunners,rhizomesandvinesthatrootatthenodestoformnewplants.Toalesserextentitmayspreadbyseeds.

KUDZUPueraria montana var. lobata

PUMOL

34.

Identification• Deciduous,woodyvine• Growsto70'• Showy,abundantflowersinspring• Flowersarepea-likeandvioletblue• Long,green,flattenedseedpod• Alternate,pinnatelycompoundleaves

Flowers Vines

VINE

CHINESE WISTERIAWisteria sinensis

WISI

35.

Leaves Flowers

VINE

CHINESE WISTERIAWisteria sinensis

WISI

Habitat:Disturbedareas,roadsides,forestedges,ditches;escapesnearoriginalplantings;canpersistinlowlightsettings.

Ecological Impact: Overpowersshrubsandtreesbystrangling orshading.

Similar Native Species: TexasWisteria,TrumpetVine,Crossvine,MountainLaurel

Removal:Severvineatbase.Removevinesthatarecoilingaroundtrunkstopreventgirdling.

Spreading:Spreadsbyvegetativereproductionandseeds.

36.

Identification• Annualweedto24"tall• Basalrosette(circleofleavesatgroundlevel)appearsinwinter

• Roundedbasalleavespinnatelylobed• Spiny,yellow-floweredhead• Stemswinglikeinappearance

Flower Stem

HERB

MALTESE STAR THISTLECentaurea melitensis

CEME2

37.

Spines Diagram

Habitat: Open,sunnyfields,disturbedareas,riparianareas.Ecological Impact: Crowdsoutnativeplantsespeciallyinriparianareas.Whenstarthistleinfestationsarehigh,nativespeciescanexperiencedrought-likeconditionseveninyearswithnormalrainfall.

Similar Native Species:TexasThistle,Gaillardia,Engelmann’sDaisy

Removal: Mowduringearlyfloweringstageorwhenbudshaveproducedspines.Mowtoalevelwherenoleavesarepresent.

Spreading: Spreadsbyseeds.Mayproducethousandsofseedsperplant.

HERB

MALTESE STAR THISTLECentaurea melitensis

CEME2

38.

Identification• Herbaceousplant• Growsto3'tall• Terrestrialandaquaticplant• Basal,arrowheadshapedleaves• Largetubers

Leaf Flower

HERB

ELEPHANT EARColocasia esculenta

COES

39.

ELEPHANT EARColocasia esculenta

COES

Roots Stalks

Habitat: Alongcreekbanksandponds.

Ecological Impact: Crowdsoutnativeplants,especiallyinriparianareas.

Similar Native Species: DeltaArrowhead,MaracaAmarilla,PickerelWeed

Removal: Useashoveltoremove.Whenremoving,caremustbetakentokeepplantintactandremoveallfragmentstodiscouragespread.

Spreading: Spreadsvegetatively.

HERB

40.

Identification• Evergreenfern• Growsto3'• Foliageresemblesholly• Darkgreenserratedleaves• Sporesonbottomoftheleaf

Spores under leaf New growth

HERB

JAPANESE NETVEIN HOLLYFERNHOLLY FERN

Cyrtomium falcatumCYFA2

41.

Leaves New growth

Habitat: Shadedunderstory.

Ecological Impact: Crowdsoutnativeplants.

Similar Native Species: RiverFern,Coralberry,DwarfYaupon

Removal: Digupplants,gettingalloftherootsystem.

Spreading: Spreadbyspores.

HERB

JAPANESE NETVEIN HOLLYFERNHOLLY FERN

Cyrtomium falcatumCYFA2

42.

Identification• Annualweed• Growsto30"• Basalrosetteinwinterwithleaveshaving deepsinuses

• Basalleavesdarkgreen,deeplylobedandwrinkled

• Bloomsyellowinearlyspring(bloomsatthesametimeasbluebonnets)

• Flowershave4petalsincross-likearrangement• Seedcapsuleisstalkedwithlongbeakattipandcontains1-2seeds

Leaf Plant

HERB

ANNUAL BASTARD CABBAGE,TALL MUSTARD WEED

Rapistrum rugosumRARU

43.

Fruit

Habitat: Roadsides,opensunnyareas,disturbedareas,anddegradedpastures.

Ecological Impact: Crowdsoutnativeplants,especiallyinriparianareas.Formsmonoculture.

Similar Native Species: Engelmann’sDaisy,PlainsCoreopsis,MaximillianSunflowers

Removal: Digupwholeplantincludingtaprootandthenplantnativeseedstocompetewithinvasiveplantseedsleftinthesoil.

Spreading: Spreadsbyseedsandquicklycoversgroundwithablanketofleafyrosettes(circlesofleavesatgroundlevel).

HERB

ANNUAL BASTARD CABBAGERapistrum rugosum

RARU

44.

Identification• Largeherbaceousperennial• Growsto6'• Squarestem• Elliptictolanceolateleaveswithserratededges• Oppositeleavesandbranching• Purpleflowersinlatespringtosummer

Flowers Seed head

HERB

BRAZILIAN VERBAINVerbena brasiliensis

VEBR2

45.

HERB

BRAZILIAN VERBAINVerbena brasiliensis

VEBR2

Flowers Stem

Habitat: Roadsides,disturbedareas,alongcreeks.


Similar Native Species: PrairieVerbena,Liatris,WoolyIronweed

Removal: Pullplantsbyhand.

Spreading:Spreadsbyseeds.

46.

Identification• Perennialgrasswithwoodycanes• Growsto20'• Alternateleaveswithparallelveins• Leavesare2-3"atbaseandtapertoapoint• Plumelikeflowersinlatesummerare1-2'

Stalk Flower

GRASS

GIANT REEDGIANT CANE

Arundo donaxARDO4

47.

Plant Diagram

Habitat: Riparianandfloodplainareas.


Similar Native Species: Sotol,Sugarcaneplumegrass,ThompsonYucca,Horsetail

Removal: Handpullsmallplants.Hand-digwithagrubbingtoolandremoveallrootstalks.

Spreading: Spreadsvegetatively.

GRASS

GIANT REEDGIANT CANE

Arundo donaxARDO4

48.

Identification• Perennialgrassto24"whenflowering• Extrememlyhairyligule• Round,blonde,strawlikestemswhendry•Multiplespikeletshavepurplishhuewhennew• Nodesarepurplewithfuzzyring

Bunchgrass Flowering

GRASS

KING RANCH BLUESTEMBothriochloa ischaemum var. songarica

BOISS

49.

Habitat: Openfieldsandgrasslands.

Ecological Impact: Formsmonoculturesthatcrowdoutnativeplants.Destroyshabitatofquailandothergrasslandbirds.

Similar Native Species: Buffalograss,BlueGramagrass,Little Bluestemgrass

Removal: Mowingbeforeseedheadsareproduced.Professionallysupervisedprescribedburns.

Spreading: Spreadsbyseed.Mostinfestationsareduetointentionalseedingforcattleorroadsidevegetation.

GRASS

KING RANCH BLUESTEMBothriochloa ischaemum var. songarica

BOISS

Seeds Clumpgrass 50.

51.

Identification• Growsto1.5'• Narrowleaf• Formsadensesod• Creepingrhizomesandstolons• Rootsfrombaseofplantandnodes/joints onrunners

Roots Flowering

GRASS

BERMUDAGRASSCynodon dactlyon

CYDA

52.

GRASS

Habitat: Gardens,sportsfields,andotherareaswhereitwasintroducedasturf.Growsbestinfullsunorpartialsun.

Ecological Impact: Invadesgardenbedsandcompeteswithornamentalandvegetableplants.Spreadsintodisturbedareasandoutcompetesotherearlysuccessionalspecies.Allelopathic–producestoxinsthatsuppressthegrowthofotherplantspecies.

Similar Native Species: Buffalograss,BlueGrama,Curly-Mesquite.ItisrecommendedthatamixofnativegrassesorimprovedhybridsofBermudagrasssuchasTifgreen,Tifdwarf,TifwayandSantaAnabeusedinareaswhereadurablelawnisdesiredasthesehybridsdonotproduceseed.

Removal: Repeatedhandremovalofrhizomesandstolons.Solarization.

Spreading: Spreadsbyrunnersandseeds.Producesseedsthatremainviableinsoilforatleasttwoyears.

BERMUDAGRASSCynodon dactlyon

CYDA

Identification• Evergreengrass• Growsto16'-40'• Longpointedleavesinfanlikeclusters• Jointedstems•Wood-likestem

Stems Leaves

GRASS

GOLDEN BAMBOOPhyllostachys aurea

PHAU8

53.

Habitat: Oldhomesitesandadjacentnaturalareas.


Similar Native Species: Yaupon,BambooMuhly

Removal:Cutplantsasclosetogroundaspossible.Repeatasplantsresproutforseveralgrowingseasonsuntilenergyreservesofrhizomesareexhausted.Ifdigging,removealltheroots.

Spreading: Spreadsbyrunnersandrootrhizomes.A3'deepbarriersurroundingtheplantmayreducespread.

GRASS

GOLDEN BAMBOOPhyllostachys aurea

PHAU8

54.New root sprout Foliage in July

Identification• Growsto6'•Wideleafbladewithwhitestripedownthecenter• Thick,creepingundergroundstems

Young Flower Flower

GRASS

JOHNSONGRASSSorghum halepense

SOHA

55.

Leaf Roots

Habitat:Allsoils,roadsides,creeksides,sunnytoshadyareas.

Ecological Impact: Crowdsoutnativeplants.Longtermseedviabilityandextensiverootsystem.

Similar Native Species: LittleBluestem,BushyBluestem,Lindheimer’sMuhly

Removal:Manuallyremoveasmuchoftherootsystemaspossible.Persistentsomaytakeseveraltries.

Spreading: Spreadsvegetativelyandbyseed.

GRASS

JOHNSONGRASSSorghum halepense

SOHA

56.

Identification• Aquaticplantthatfloatsonwater• Thick,shiny,brightgreen,kidney-shapedleaves;1-5"inwidth

• Largelavenderflowersingroupsof8-15

Flower Floating Vegetation

AQUATIC

WATER HYACINTHEichhornia crassipes

EICR

57.

Habitat: Foundinalltypesoffreshwaterbodies.Growsanywhereitcanavoidfreezingtemperatures.

Ecological Impact:Formsdensematontopofthewaterthatblockssunlightfrompenetratingthewaterandresultsindecreaseddissolvedoxygenlevels.Threatenswaterintakesandimpedesboattraffic.

Removal:Forsmallinfestations,removeplantsbyhandorwitharake.Largerareasmayneedharvestermachines.

Spreading: Spreadsbyrhizomesandprolificseeds.Populationmaydoublein6-18days.

AQUATIC

WATER HYACINTHEichhornia crassipes

EICR

58.

Identification• Rooted,submersedaquaticplant• Formsdensematsinwater• Growsin1'-20'ofwater• ¾"leavesgrowinwhorls• Fineteethonedgeofleaves• Tinyflowers

Vegetation Foliage

AQUATIC

HYDRILLAHydrilla verticillata

HYVE3

59.

AQUATIC

Habitat:Freshwaterbodies.

Ecological Impact: Formsdenseunderwaterstandsthatreduceaquaticplantdiversity.Mayreducewaterqualityasdensevegetationdiesanddecomposes.Threatenswaterintakes,recreationandnavigationonthelake.

Similar Native Species: SouthernWaternymph,HumpedBladderwort,AmericanEelgrass

Removal:Mechanicalharvesters.Herbivorousfishsuchassterilegrasscarp.

Spreading: Spreadsbyrootcrownsandplantfragments.

HYDRILLAHydrilla verticillata

HYVE3

60.

Identification• Rooted,submersed,aquaticplant• Growsin3-10'ofwater• Grayish-greenleavesinwhorlsaroundstem• Featheryappearance

Vegetation Hydrilla Comparison

AQUATIC

EURASIAN WATERMILFOILMyriophyllum spicatum

MYSP2

61.

AQUATIC

EURASIAN WATERMILFOILMyriophyllum spicatum

MYSP2

Habitat: Spreadsintodisturbedwaterareas.

Ecological Impact:EcologicalImpact:Formsdensematontopofthewaterthatblockssunlightfrompenetratingthewaterandresultsindecreaseddissolvedoxygenlevels.Impedesboattraffic.

Removal:Forsmallareasremovebyhandorwithrake.Forlargeareas,usemechanicalharvesteratthepeakofbiomassinearlysummer.Betterresultswithrepeatedharvesting.Allplantpartsmust beremoved.

Spreading: Spreadsbyplantfragments.

62.

Documents

Central Texas Invasive Plants