Source: California Invasive Plant Council
URL of this page: http://www.cal-ipc.org/ip/inventory/weedlist.php
California Invasive Plant Inventory Database
Before looking at this database, please read the information on the Invasive Plant Inventory, including how plants were listed and what the ratings mean.
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| Scientific Name | Common Name | Rating | Alert | Imp. | Inv. | Dis. | Doc. | Regions | Habitats of Concern and Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Acacia dealbata |
silver wattle | 2Moderate | B | B | B | 2.5 |
|
Coastal prairie, riparian woodland, riparian forest, North Coast coniferous forest, closed cone coniferous forest. | |
| Acacia melanoxylon |
black acacia, blackwood acacia | 3Limited | C | C | B | 2.7 |
|
Coniferous forest, chaparral, woodland, riparian. Impacts are low in most areas. | |
| Acroptilon repens |
Russian knapweed | 2Moderate | B | B | B | 3.2 |
|
Scrub, grasslands, riparian, pinyon-juniper woodland, forest. Severe impacts in other western states. Spreading in many areas of CA. | |
| Agrostis avenacea |
Pacific bentgrass | 3Limited | C | C | C | 2.4 |
|
Vernal pools, coastal prairie, meadows, grasslands. Impacts are low in most areas. | |
| Agrostis stolonifera |
creeping bentgrass | 3Limited | C | B | C | 1.9 |
|
Wetlands, riparian; grown for domestic forage. Limited distribution and impacts unknown. | |
| Ailanthus altissima |
tree-of-heaven | 2Moderate | B | B | B | 3.0 |
|
Riparian areas, grasslands, oak woodland. Impacts highest in riparian areas. | |
| Aira caryophyllea | silver hairgrass | 4Eval No List | D | C | A | 2.6 |
|
Widespread in grasslands, but impacts appear negligible. | |
| Aira praecox | European hairgrass | 4Eval No List | D | C | C | 2.8 |
|
Appears to be spreading locally, but impacts unknown. | |
| Allium triquetrum | three-cornered leek | 4Eval No List | U | C | C | 1.6 |
|
Impacts unknown. | |
| Ammophila arenaria |
European beachgrass | 1High | A | B | B | 3.2 |
|
Coastal dunes | |
| Anthemis cotula | mayweed chamomile, dog fennel | 4Eval No List | D | B | B | 2.4 |
|
Abiotic and wildife impacts unknown | |
| Anthoxanthum odoratum |
sweet vernalgrass | 2Moderate | B | B | B | 2.7 |
|
Coastal prairie, coniferous forest. Little information available on impacts and limited ecological range. | |
| Arctotheca calendula (fertile) |
fertile capeweed | 2Moderate | Alert |
B | B | C | 3.6 |
|
Coastal prairie; can produce seed. Important agricultural weed in Australia, but limited distribution in CA. |
| Arctotheca calendula (sterile) |
sterile capeweed | 2Moderate | B | B | B | 2.8 |
|
Coastal prairie; only propagates vegetatively. More competitive than fertile form, but limited distribution. | |
| Arundo donax |
giant reed | 1High | A | B | A | 2.8 |
|
Riparian areas, commercially grown for musical instrument reeds, structural material, etc. | |
| Atriplex semibaccata |
Australian saltbush | 2Moderate | B | B | B | 2.9 |
|
Coastal grasslands, scrub, upper salt marsh. Limited distribution, but can be very invasive regionally. | |
| Bassia hyssopifolia |
fivehook bassia | 3Limited | C | C | B | 2.7 |
|
Alkaline habitats. Weed of agriculture or disturbed sites. Impacts minor in wildlands. | |
| Bellardia trixago |
bellardia | 3Limited | C | C | C | 1.9 |
|
Grasslands, including serpentine. Impacts and invasiveness appear to be minor. | |
| Bellis perennis | English daisy | 4Eval No List | D | C | C | 2.8 |
|
Present along trails, not known to spread into undisturbed areas | |
| Brassica nigra |
black mustard | 2Moderate | B | B | A | 2.0 |
|
Widespread. Primarily a weed of disturbed sites, but can be locally a more significant problem in wildlands. | |
| Brassica rapa |
birdsrape mustard, field mustard | 3Limited | C | B | B | 1.8 |
|
Coastal scrub, grasslands meadows, riparian. Primarily in disturbed areas, Impacts appear to be minor or unknown in wildlands. | |
| Briza maxima |
big quackingrass, rattlesnakegrass | 3Limited | B | C | B | 2.3 |
|
Grasslands. Widespread in coast range. Impacts generally minor, but locally can be higher. | |
| Bromus diandrus |
ripgut brome | 2Moderate | B | B | A | 3.3 |
|
Dunes, scrub, grassland, woodland, forest. Very widespread, but monotypic stands uncommon. | |
| Bromus hordeaceus |
soft brome | 3Limited | B | C | A | 2.8 |
|
Grasslands, sagebrush, serpentine soils, many other habitats. Very widespread, but primarily in converted annual grasslands. | |
| Bromus japonicus |
Japanese brome, Japanese chess | 3Limited | B | C | B | 2.6 |
|
Great Basin grassland, valley and foothill grassland, pinon and juniper woodland, lower montane coniferous forest | |
| Bromus madritensis ssp. rubens |
red brome | 1High | A | B | A | 3.0 |
|
Scrub, grassland, desert washes, woodlands | |
| Buddleja davidii | butterflybush | 4Eval No List | D | B | D | 2.5 |
|
Not known to be invasive in CA, although it is a problem in Oregon. | |
| Cakile maritima |
European sea-rocket | 3Limited | C | B | B | 3.6 |
|
Coastal dunes. Widespread, but impacts appear to be minor. | |
| Cardaria chalepensis |
lens-podded white-top | 2Moderate | Alert |
B | B | C | 3.2 |
|
Central Valley wetlands. Limited distribution in CA. May not be as invasive as C. draba. |
| Carduus acanthoides |
plumeless thistle | 3Limited | B | C | C | 3.0 |
|
Valley and foothill grasslands. Distribution limited in CA, impacts higher locally. | |
| Carduus nutans |
musk thistle | 2Moderate | B | B | B | 3.1 |
|
Grasslands. More invasive in other western states. Limited distribution in CA. | |
| Carduus pycnocephalus |
Italian thistle | 2Moderate | B | B | A | 2.9 |
|
Forest, scrub, grasslands, woodland. Very widespread. Impacts may be variable regionally. | |
| Carduus tenuiflorus |
slenderflower thistle | 3Limited | C | C | B | 2.8 |
|
Valley and foothill grasslands. Limited distribution, Impacts appear to be minor. | |
| Carpobrotus chilensis |
sea-fig, iceplant | 2Moderate | B | B | A | 1.8 |
|
Coastal dunes, scrub, prairie. Little information on species, most inferred from C. edulis. | |
| Carpobrotus edulis |
Hottentot-fig, iceplant | 1High | A | B | A | 3.3 |
|
Coastal habitats, especially dunes | |
| Carthamus lanatus |
woolly distaff thistle | 2Moderate | Alert |
A | B | C | 2.8 |
|
Grasslands. Expanding in coast ranges, may become more severe. Current distribution limited. |
| Centaurea calcitrapa |
purple starthistle | 2Moderate | B | B | B | 2.7 |
|
Grasslands. Impacts regionally variable. Distribution relatively limited. | |
| Centaurea debeauxii |
meadow knapweed | 2Moderate | Alert |
B | B | C | 2.7 |
|
Grasslands. Spreading rapidly in NW CA, but distribution limited elsewhere. Little known of impacts. |
| Centaurea diffusa |
diffuse knapweed | 2Moderate | B | B | B | 3.3 |
|
Severe impacts in other western states. Limited distribution in CA with impacts higher in some locations. | |
| Centaurea maculosa |
spotted knapweed | 1High | A | B | B | 3.4 |
|
Riparian, grasslands, wet meadows, forests. More widely distributed in other western states. | |
| Centaurea melitensis |
Malta starthistle, tocalote | 2Moderate | B | B | B | 2.6 |
|
Grasslands, oak woodland; sometimes misidentified as C. solstitialis. Impacts vary regionally. | |
| Centaurea solstitialis |
yellow starthistle | 1High | A | B | A | 3.0 |
|
Grasslands, woodlands, occasionally riparian | |
| Centaurea virgata ssp. squarrosa |
squarrose knapweed | 2Moderate | B | B | B | 2.8 |
|
Scrub, grassland, pinyon-juniper woodland. Highly invasive in UT and other western states. Limited distribution in CA. | |
| Chondrilla juncea |
rush skeletonweed | 2Moderate | B | B | B | 3.1 |
|
Grasslands. Very invasive in other western states, but currently limited in distribution in CA. | |
| Cirsium arvense |
Canada thistle | 2Moderate | B | B | B | 2.8 |
|
Grasslands, riparian areas, forests. Severe impacts in other western states. Limited distribution in CA. | |
| Cirsium vulgare |
bull thistle | 2Moderate | B | B | B | 3.3 |
|
Riparian areas, marshes, meadows. Widespread, can be very problematic regionally. | |
| Conium maculatum |
poison-hemlock | 2Moderate | B | B | B | 2.8 |
|
Riparian woodland, grassland. Widespread in disturbed areas. Abiotic impacts unknown. Impacts can vary locally. | |
| Convolvulus arvensis | field bindweed | 4Eval No List | C | B | B | 3.5 |
|
Only known as agricultural weed | |
| Cordyline australis |
giant dracaena, New Zealand cabbage tree | 3Limited | C | C | C | 2.0 |
|
Coniferous forest. Two reports of horticultural escape into wildlands. Appears best suited to moist, cool climates. | |
| Cortaderia jubata |
jubatagrass | 1High | A | A | A | 3.1 |
|
Many coastal and interior habitats | |
| Cortaderia selloana |
pampasgrass | 1High | A | A | B | 3.2 |
|
Coastal dunes, coastal scrub, Monterey pine, riparian, grasslands, wetlands, serpentine soils. Still spreading both coastal and inland. | |
| Cotoneaster franchetii |
orange cotoneaster | 2Moderate | B | A | B | 2.6 |
|
Coniferous forest. Limited distribution. Abiotic impacts largely unknown. | |
| Cotoneaster lacteus |
Parney's cotoneaster | 2Moderate | B | B | B | 2.1 |
|
Many coastal habitats, mainly a problem from SF Bay Area north along coast but also in San Diego County. Limited distribution. Abiotic impacts largely unknown. | |
| Cotoneaster pannosus |
silverleaf cotoneaster | 2Moderate | B | A | B | 2.5 |
|
Many coastal habitats, mainly a problem from SF Bay Area north along coast. Limited distribution. Abiotic impacts largely unknown. | |
| Cotula coronopifolia |
brassbuttons | 3Limited | C | C | B | 2.2 |
|
Salt and freshwater marshes. Impacts largely unknown, but appear to be minor. | |
| Crataegus monogyna |
hawthorn | 3Limited | C | B | C | 3.4 |
|
Riparian habitats, woodland. Limited distribution. Impacts appear to be minor. | |
| Crocosmia x crocosmiiflora |
montbretia | 3Limited | C | B | B | 2.6 |
|
Coastal scrub and prairie, north coast forests. Abiotic impacts unknown. Higher invasiveness in some areas. | |
| Crupina vulgaris |
common crupina, bearded creeper | 3Limited | B | C | B | 3.2 |
|
Forest, woodland, grassland. Distribution limited. More invasive in other western states. | |
| Cynodon dactylon |
bermudagrass | 2Moderate | B | B | B | 3.3 |
|
Riparian scrub in southern CA. Common landscape weed, but can be very invasive in desert washes. | |
| Cynosurus echinatus |
hedgehog dogtailgrass | 2Moderate | B | B | A | 2.5 |
|
Oak woodland, grassland. Widespread, impacts vary regionally, but typically not in monotypic stands. | |
| Cytisus scoparius |
Scotch broom | 1High | A | B | A | 3.2 |
|
Coastal scrub, oak woodland, horticultural varieties may also be invasive. | |
| Cytisus striatus |
Portuguese broom | 2Moderate | B | B | B | 2.7 |
|
Coastal scrub, grasslands; often confused with C. scoparius. Limited distribution. | |
| Dactylis glomerata |
orchardgrass | 3Limited | C | B | B | 2.9 |
|
Grasslands, broadleaved forest, woodlands; common forage species. Impacts appear to be minor. | |
| Daucus carota | wild carrot, Queen Anne's lace | 4Eval No List | D | C | B | 2.7 |
|
Very widespread, but primarily in disturbed sites, particularly roadsides | |
| Delairea odorata |
Cape-ivy, German-ivy | 1High | A | A | B | 3.1 |
|
Coastal, occasionally other riparian areas, common discard from gardens. | |
| Descurainia sophia |
flixweed, tansy mustard | 3Limited | C | B | B | 1.9 |
|
Scrub, grassland, woodland. Impacts appear to be minor, but locally more invasive in NE CA. | |
| Digitalis purpurea |
foxglove | 3Limited | C | B | B | 2.4 |
|
Forest, woodland. Widely escaped ornamental. Impacts largely unknown but appear to be minor. | |
| Dipsacus fullonum |
common teasel | 2Moderate | B | B | B | 3.8 |
|
Grasslands, seep, riparian scrub. Impacts regionally variable, forms dense stands on occasion. | |
| Dipsacus sativus |
fuller's teasel | 2Moderate | B | B | B | 3.8 |
|
Grasslands, seep, bogs. Impacts regionally variable, forms dense stands on occasion. | |
| Dittrichia graveolens |
stinkwort | 2Moderate | Alert |
B | A | C | 3.0 |
|
Grasslands, riparian scrub. Spreading rapidly, impacts may become more important in future. |
| Echium candicans |
pride-of-Madeira | 3Limited | C | B | B | 1.5 |
|
Little information on impacts. | |
| Erechtites glomerata, E. minima |
Australian fireweed, Australian burnweed | 2Moderate | C | B | A | 3.2 |
|
Coastal woodland, scrub, forests. Widespread on coast, but impacts low overall. May vary locally. | |
| Erodium botrys | broadleaf filaree | 4Eval No List | D | C | A | 2.8 |
|
Present in wildlands but known impacts are negligible. Often transient. | |
| Erodium brachycarpum | short-fruited filaree | 4Eval No List | C | C | A | 2.6 |
|
Present in wildlands but known impacts are negligible.Often transient. | |
| Erodium cicutarium |
redstem filaree | 3Limited | C | C | A | 3.1 |
|
Many habitats. Widespread. Impacts minor in wildlands. High-density populations transient. | |
| Erodium moschatum | whitestem filaree | 4Eval No List | D | C | A | 2.7 |
|
Primarily an agricultural weed, little impact in wildlands. | |
| Eucalyptus camaldulensis |
red gum | 3Limited | C | C | C | 2.2 |
|
Mainly southern CA urban areas. Impacts, invasiveness and distribution all minor. | |
| Eucalyptus globulus |
Tasmanian blue gum | 2Moderate | B | B | B | 2.8 |
|
Riparian areas, coastal grasslands, scrub. Impacts can be much higher in coastal areas. | |
| Euphorbia esula |
leafy spurge | 1High | Alert |
A | A | C | 3.5 |
|
Forests, woodlands, juniper forest. More widespread invasive in northern states. |
| Euphorbia lathyris | caper spurge | 4Eval No List | D | C | B | 2.2 |
|
Abiotic impacts unknown | |
| Euphorbia oblongata |
oblong spurge | 3Limited | C | C | B | 2.0 |
|
Meadows, woodlands. Limited distribution. Impacts unknown. Locally in dense stands. | |
| Festuca arundinacea |
tall fescue | 2Moderate | B | B | A | 2.9 |
|
Coastal scrub, grasslands; common forage grass. Widespread, abiotic impacts unknown. | |
| Foeniculum vulgare |
fennel | 1High | A | B | A | 3.0 |
|
Grasslands, scrub. | |
| Genista monspessulana |
French broom | 1High | A | A | B | 3.2 |
|
Coastal scrub, oak woodland, grasslands. Horticultural selections may also be invasive. | |
| Geranium dissectum |
cutleaf geranium | 2Moderate | C | B | A | 1.7 |
|
Numerous habitats but impacts appear minor. | |
| Geranium molle | dovefoot geranium | 4Eval No List | D | B | A | 1.7 |
|
Present in wildlands, but known impacts are negligible | |
| Geranium retrorsum | New Zealand geranium | 4Eval No List | D | B | B | 1.9 |
|
Present in wildlands, but known impacts are negligible | |
| Hedera helix, H. canariensis |
English ivy, Algerian ivy | 1High | A | A | A | 2.7 |
|
Coastal forests, riparian areas. Species combined due to genetics questions. | |
| Helichrysum petiolare |
licoriceplant | 3Limited | C | B | C | 2.0 |
|
North coastal scrub. Limited distribution. Impacts unknown, but can form dense stands. | |
| Hirschfeldia incana |
shortpod mustard, summer mustard | 2Moderate | B | B | A | 1.9 |
|
Scrub, grasslands, riparian areas. Impacts not well understood, but appear to be greater in southern CA. | |
| Holcus lanatus |
common velvet grass | 2Moderate | B | B | A | 2.9 |
|
Coastal grasslands, wetlands. Impacts can be more severe locally, especially in wetland areas. | |
| Hordeum marinum, H. murinum |
Mediterranean barley, hare barley, wall barley | 2Moderate | B | B | A | 2.8 |
|
Grasslands; H. marinum invades drier habitats, while H. murinum invades wetlands. Widespread, but generally do not form dominant stands. | |
| Hydrilla verticillata |
hydrilla | 1High | Alert |
A | B | C | 3.2 |
|
Freshwater aquatic systems. The most important submerged aquatic invasive in southern states. |
| Hypericum perforatum |
common St. John's wort, klamathweed | 2Moderate | B | B | B | 3.7 |
|
Many northern CA habitats. Abiotic impacts low. Biological control agents have reduced overall impact. | |
| Hypochaeris glabra |
smooth catsear | 3Limited | C | B | B | 3.1 |
|
Scrub and woodlands. Widespread. Impacts appear to be minor. Some local variability. | |
| Hypochaeris radicata |
rough catsear, hairy dandelion | 2Moderate | C | B | A | 2.2 |
|
Coastal dunes, scrub, and prairie; woodland, forest. Widespread. Impacts unknown or appear to be minor. | |
| Ilex aquifolium |
English holly | 2Moderate | Alert |
B | B | C | 2.7 |
|
North coast forests. Expanding range south from OR. |
| Iris pseudacorus |
yellowflag iris | 3Limited | C | B | C | 2.3 |
|
Riparian, wetland areas, esp. southern CA. Limited distribution. Abiotic impacts unknown. | |
| Isatis tinctoria |
dyer's woad | 2Moderate | B | B | A | 3.0 |
|
Great Basin scrub and grasslands, coniferous forest. More severe impacts in other western states, but can be locally very invasive in northern CA. | |
| Lactuca serriola | prickly lettuce | 4Eval No List | D | B | B | 3.1 |
|
Primarily an agricultural and roadside weed | |
| Lepidium latifolium |
perennial pepperweed, tall whitetop | 1High | A | A | A | 3.1 |
|
Coastal and inland marshes, riparian areas, wetlands, grasslands; potential to invade montane wetlands. | |
| Leucanthemum vulgare |
ox-eye daisy | 2Moderate | B | B | B | 2.5 |
|
Montane meadows, coastal grasslands, coastal scrub. Expanding range, invasiveness varies locally. | |
| Ligustrum lucidum | glossy privet | 4Eval No List | D | B | C | 3.1 |
|
May prove to be problematic in riparian areas. | |
| Linaria genistifolia ssp. dalmatica |
Dalmation toadflax | 2Moderate | B | B | B | 2.8 |
|
Grasslands, forest clearings. Limited distribution. More severe impacts in other western states. | |
| Linaria vulgaris |
yellow toadflax, butter and eggs | 2Moderate | B | B | B | 2.3 |
|
valley and foothill grassland, Great Basin grassland, riparian woodland, lower montane coniferous forest, upper montane coniferous forest | |
| Lobularia maritima |
sweet alyssum | 3Limited | C | B | B | 2.4 |
|
Coastal dune, coastal scrub, coastal prairie, riparian. | |
| Lolium multiflorum |
Italian ryegrass | 2Moderate | A | B | A | 2.6 |
|
Grasslands, oak woodland, pinyon-juniper woodland; widely used for post-fire erosion control. Widespread. Impacts can vary with region. | |
| Lotus corniculatus | birdsfoot trefoil | 4Eval No List | D | B | B | 2.8 |
|
Primarily a turf or agricultural weed in CA | |
| Ludwigia hexapetala |
Uruguay water-primrose | 1High | Alert |
A | B | C | 2.6 |
|
Freshwater aquatic systems. Clarification needed on taxonomic identification. |
| Ludwigia peploides ssp. montevidensis |
creeping water-primrose | 1High | A | B | B | 2.5 |
|
Freshwater aquatic systems. Clarification needed on taxonomic identification. | |
| Lupinus arboreus |
yellow bush lupine | 5Native | B | B | B | 3.5 |
|
Invasive in NW coastal dunes. | |
| Lythrum hyssopifolium |
hyssop loosestrife | 3Limited | C | B | B | 3.0 |
|
Grasslands, wetlands, vernal pools. Widespread. Impacts unknown, but appear to be minor. | |
| Lythrum salicaria |
purple loosestrife | 1High | A | A | B | 3.8 |
|
Wetlands, marshes, riparian areas | |
| Marrubium vulgare |
white horehound | 3Limited | C | C | B | 2.8 |
|
Grasslands scrub, riparian areas. Widespread. Rarely in dense stands. Impacts relatively minor. | |
| Medicago polymorpha |
California burclover | 3Limited | C | C | A | 2.8 |
|
Grasslands. Widespread weed of agriculture and disturbed areas. Impacts in wildlands minor. | |
| Melilotus officinalis | yellow sweetclover | 4Eval No List | D | C | C | 3.3 |
|
Present in human-disturbed habitats only | |
| Mentha pulegium |
pennyroyal | 2Moderate | C | A | A | 2.7 |
|
Vernal pools, wetlands. Poisonous to livestock. Spreading rapidly. Impacts largely unknown. | |
| Mesembryanthemum crystallinum |
crystalline iceplant | 2Moderate | Alert |
B | B | C | 3.7 |
|
Coastal bluffs, dunes, scrubs, grasslands. Limited distribution. Locally problematic, especially in southern CA. |
| Myosotis latifolia |
common forget-me-not | 3Limited | C | B | B | 2.2 |
|
Coniferous forest, riparian. Little information on impacts. | |
| Myriophyllum aquaticum |
parrotfeather | 1High | Alert |
A | B | C | 2.8 |
|
Freshwater aquatic systems |
| Nicotiana glauca |
tree tobacco | 2Moderate | B | B | B | 2.5 |
|
Coastal scrub, grasslands, riparian woodland. Abiotic impacts unknown. Impacts vary locally. Rarely in dense stands. | |
| Olea europaea |
olive | 3Limited | C | B | B | 2.5 |
|
A problem in Australia. Currently a rare escape in CA but is of concern due to the possibility of spread from planted groves. | |
| Onopordum acanthium |
Scotch thistle | 1High | B | B | B | 2.9 |
|
Wet meadows, sage brush, riparian areas | |
| Oxalis corniculata | creeping woodsorrel | 4Eval No List | D | C | C | 2.2 |
|
Primarily a turf weed in CA | |
| Oxalis pes-caprae |
Bermuda buttercup, buttercup oxalis, yellow oxalis | 2Moderate | B | B | B | 2.9 |
|
Coastal dunes, scrub, oak woodland. Impacts in coastal areas may prove more severe in time. | |
| Parentucellia viscosa |
yellow glandweed, sticky parentucellia | 3Limited | C | B | B | 2.5 |
|
Coastal prairie, grassland, and dunes. Impacts unknown, but can be locally significant. | |
| Pennisetum clandestinum |
kikuyugrass | 3Limited | C | C | B | 2.3 |
|
Present at low levels in numerous wildland habitats. Impacts unknown. Common turf weed. | |
| Phalaris aquatica |
hardinggrass | 2Moderate | B | B | B | 2.6 |
|
Coastal sites, especially moist soils. Limited distribution. Can be highly invasive locally. | |
| Phragmites australis |
common reed | 5Native | B | B | B | 2.5 |
|
Genetic issues make it unclear which strains are native to CA. | |
| Phytolacca americana |
common pokeweed | 3Limited | C | B | C | 2.8 |
|
riparian forest, riparian woodland | |
| Picris echioides |
bristly oxtongue | 3Limited | C | B | B | 2.4 |
|
Coastal prairie, scrub, riparian woodland. Widespread locally. Abiotic impacts unknown. | |
| Pinus radiata cultivars |
Monterey pine | 5Native | B | B | B | 2.6 |
|
Five populations native to CA. Invades coastal scrub and prairie, chaparral. | |
| Piptatherum miliaceum |
smilograss | 3Limited | C | B | B | 2.4 |
|
Coastal dunes, scrub, riparian, grassland. Expanding range. Impacts largely unknown. | |
| Plantago coronopus | cutleaf plantain | 4Eval No List | U | C | B | 1.7 |
|
Impacts unknown. Common on north coast | |
| Plantago lanceolata |
buckhorn plantain, English plantain | 3Limited | C | C | B | 2.1 |
|
Many habitats. Turf weed primarily. Low density and impact in wildlands. | |
| Poa pratensis |
Kentucky bluegrass | 3Limited | C | B | B | 2.7 |
|
Grasslands scrub, riparian areas. Widespread turf plant. Abiotic impacts unknown. | |
| Polygonum cuspidatum |
Japanese knotweed | 2Moderate | Alert |
B | B | D | 2.7 |
|
Riparian areas, wetlands, forest edges. More severe impacts in NW wetlands. Distribution limited in CA. |
| Polygonum sachalinense |
Sakhalin knotweed | 2Moderate | Alert |
B | B | D | 2.5 |
|
Riparian areas. More severe impacts in NW wetlands. Distribution limited in CA. |
| Polypogon monspeliensis and subspp. |
rabbitfoot polypogon, annual beardgrass | 3Limited | C | C | B | 2.3 |
|
Margins of ponds and streams, seasonally wet places, edge of coastal dunes. Widespread. Impacts appear to be minor. | |
| Potamogeton crispus |
curlyleaf pondweed | 2Moderate | B | B | B | 3.2 |
|
Freshwater aquatic systems. Can be very invasive locally. | |
| Prunus cerasifera |
cherry plum | 3Limited | C | B | B | 1.8 |
|
Riparian habitats, chaparral, woodland. Limited distribution. Abiotic impacts unknown. | |
| Pyracantha angustifolia, P. crenulata, P. coccinea |
pyracantha, firethorn | 3Limited | C | B | B | 2.8 |
|
Coastal scrub and prairie, riparian areas. Horticultural escape. Impacts unknown or minor. | |
| Ranunculus repens |
creeping buttercup | 3Limited | C | C | B | 2.9 |
|
Riparian areas, coniferous forest. Impacts appear to be minor to negligible in most areas. | |
| Raphanus sativus |
radish | 3Limited | C | C | B | 2.5 |
|
Present at low levels in numerous habitats. Widespread in disturbed sites. | |
| Robinia pseudoacacia |
black locust | 3Limited | C | B | B | 2.8 |
|
Riparian areas, canyons. Severe impacts in southern states. Impacts minor in CA. | |
| Rubus armeniacus |
Himalaya blackberry | 1High | A | A | A | 3.0 |
|
Riparian areas, marshes, oak woodlands | |
| Rumex acetosella |
red sorrel, sheep sorrel | 2Moderate | B | B | A | 2.3 |
|
Many habitats, riparian areas, forest, wetlands. Widespread. Abiotic impacts unknown. Impacts can vary locally. | |
| Rumex crispus |
curly dock | 3Limited | C | C | A | 2.7 |
|
Grasslands, vernal pool, meadows, riparian. Widespread. Impacts appear to be minor. | |
| Salsola tragus |
Russian-thistle | 3Limited | C | B | B | 2.8 |
|
Desert dunes and scrub, alkali playa. Widespread. Impacts minor in wildlands. | |
| Sapium sebiferum |
Chinese tallowtree | 2Moderate | Alert |
B | B | C | 3.2 |
|
Riparian areas. Impacts severe in southeast US. Limited distribution in California, but spreading rapidly regionally. |
| Saponaria officinalis |
bouncingbet | 3Limited | C | B | C | 2.5 |
|
Riparian scrub and woodland. Impacts unknown or minor, but appear to be locally variable. | |
| Senecio jacobaea |
tansy ragwort | 3Limited | C | B | B | 2.8 |
|
Grasslands, riparian. Impacts generally minor. Can be locally important in NW CA. | |
| Sesbania punicea |
red sesbania, scarlet wisteria | 1High | Alert |
A | B | C | 3.2 |
|
Riparian areas |
| Silybum marianum |
blessed milkthistle | 3Limited | C | C | A | 3.5 |
|
Grasslands, riparian. Widespread, primarily in disturbed areas Impacts can be higher locally | |
| Sinapis arvensis |
wild mustard, charlock | 3Limited | C | C | C | 2.9 |
|
Grasslands. Primarily in disturbed sites. Impacts minor or unknown in wildlands. | |
| Solanum elaeagnifolium | silverleaf nightshade | 4Eval No List | D | B | C | 2.8 |
|
Primarily agricultural weed, but escaping to wildlands in other countries. May prove to be more important in future. | |
| Sonchus asper | spiny sowthistle | 4Eval No List | D | B | B | 3.1 |
|
Primarily an agricultural weed | |
| Spartium junceum |
Spanish broom | 1High | A | B | B | 3.2 |
|
Coastal scrub, grasslands, wetlands, oak woodland, forests | |
| Taeniatherum caput-medusae |
medusahead | 1High | A | A | A | 3.4 |
|
Grasslands, scrub, woodland | |
| Tamarix ramosissima |
saltcedar, tamarisk | 1High | A | A | A | 3.3 |
|
Desert washes, riparian areas, seeps and springs | |
| Tanacetum vulgare |
common tansy | 2Moderate | B | B | B | 2.3 |
|
Riparian areas, forest. Limited distribution. Severe problem in other western states. | |
| Taraxacum officinale | common dandelion | 4Eval No List | D | B | B | 2.8 |
|
Primarily a turf weed in CA | |
| Torilis arvensis |
hedgeparsley | 2Moderate | C | B | B | 2.3 |
|
Expanding range. Appear to have only moderate ecological impacts. | |
| Trifolium hirtum |
rose clover | 2Moderate | C | B | B | 2.8 |
|
Grasslands, oak woodland. Widely planted in CA. Impacts relatively minor in most areas. | |
| Ulex europaeus |
gorse | 1High | A | B | B | 2.9 |
|
Scrub, woodland, forest, coastal grassland | |
| Verbena bonariensis, Verbena litoralis | tall vervain, seashore vervain | 4Eval No List | D | B | C | 2.1 |
|
Often in disturbed areas of irrigation canals | |
| Vicia villosa | hairy vetch | 4Eval No List | D | C | B | 2.8 |
|
Primarily an agricultural weed, Widespread but impacts minor in wildlands. | |
| Vinca major |
big periwinkle | 2Moderate | B | B | B | 2.8 |
|
Riparian, oak woodlands, coastal scrub. Distribution currently limited but spreading in riparian areas. Impacts can be higher locally. | |
| Vulpia bromoides | squirreltail fescue | 4Eval No List | D | C | B | 2.9 |
|
Less common than V. myuros | |
| Vulpia myuros |
rattail fescue | 2Moderate | B | B | A | 3.0 |
|
Coastal sage scrub, chaparral. Widespread. Rarely forms monotypic stands, but locally problematic | |
| Watsonia meriana |
bulbil watsonia | 3Limited | C | B | C | 2.3 |
|
Coastal prairie, coniferous forest. Abiotic impacts unknown, but may be locally dense. | |
| Zantedeschia aethiopica |
calla lily | 3Limited | C | B | C | 2.1 |
|
Coastal prairie, wetlands. Impacts high in other countries and local impacts may be high in CA. |
Column heading abbreviations:
Imp. = ImpactInv. = Invasiveness
Dis. = Distribution
Doc. = Documentation Level (Documentation level averaged)
Scores:
A = SevereB = Moderate
C = Limited
D = None
U = Unknown
Nomenclature:
Scientific names are based on The Jepson Manual.For each species, the first common name is based on the Weed Science Society of America's "Composite List of Weeds", followed by other names used in California.
Citation:
Cal-IPC. 2006. California Invasive Plant Inventory. Cal-IPC Publication 2006-02. California Invasive Plant Council: Berkeley, CA.[ top of page ]
