Lobularia maritima (sweet Alyssum) is a perennial (family Brassicaceae) found along the coast of California and in the San Francisco Bay area. Sweet Alyssum is a common ornamental plant that has escaped cultivation and invaded disturbed coastal dunes, scrub, bluffs, prairies and riparian areas. It has a long flowering season, and appears to have the […]

Linaria vulgaris (yellow toadflax, butter and eggs) is an herbaceous perennial (family Plantaginaceae) that was introduced as an ornamental. It can be found in disturbed open sites, fields, pastures, degraded rangelands, roadsides, agronomic and perennial crops. Although it is typically found in northern California, it can occur sporadically in many other areas of California, except […]

Limonium ramosissimum (Algerian sea lavender) is a perennial plant (family Plumbaginaceae) that can be found in the San Francisco Bay, Carpinteria marsh (Santa Barbara County), Orange County, and San Diego County. Historic records include Riverside County as well. It is an ornamental escape that is native to the coastal Mediterranean and can grow in coastal marshes […]

Lythrum hyssopifolia (hyssop loosestrife) is a perennial forb/herb (family Lythraceae) that invades wetlands. It occurs in seasonal wetlands, ditches, and cultivated fields, especially rice fields. L. hyssopifolia often grows on exposed mud, tolerates some salinity, but is sensitive to heavy frost.

Lythrum salicaria (purple loosestrife) is a wetland herb (family Lythraceae) that invades scattered freshwater wetlands of northern and central California. Infestations are found in northern California and the San Francisco Bay Area, as well as along rivers in the southern Sierra. It is a hardy perennial that can rapidly degrade wetlands, diminishing their value for […]

Marrubium vulgare (white horehound) is a perennial shrub/forb/herb (family Lamiaceae). This plant is found heavily populating disturbed places throughout California in grasslands, scrub, and riparian areas. It has mostly minor impact on native species.

Medicago polymorpha (California burclover) is a perennial/annual forb/herb (family Fabaceae) found throughout California in disturbed areas such as pastures, roadsides and vacant lots. Although it is considered good forage for livestock in pastures, it can out-compete native species in natural areas. Despite its name, California burclover is native to the Mediterranean.

Mentha pulegium (pennyroyal) is a perennial mint (family Lamiaceae) with a variable habit, ranging from low-growing, spreading plants to lanky, upright sub-shrubs. Although considered uncommon in much of California, pennyroyal occurs in the Sierra foothills, Central Valley, and most coastal counties from the Mexican border to Oregon. It is common as an obligate wetland indicator […]

Mesembryanthemum crystallinum (crystalline iceplant) is a low-growing annual or biennial succulent shrub (family Aizoaceae) found on coastal bluffs of the California coastline and the Channel Islands. It is native to South Africa, but has been used as a landscape ornamental.  It is named for the small glistening vesicles that cover its leaves and stems. Crystalline […]

Myoporum laetum (ngaio tree) is an evergreen shrub or small tree (family Myoporaceae) found along the coast of California and in the San Francisco Bay region. It favors coastal areas, woodlands and riparian areas. This landscape ornamental has white flowers with purple dots and reddish-purple fruits. Ngaio tree has escaped cultivation in many areas, and […]