Genista linifolia (Mediterranean broom, flax-leaf broom) is a member of the Fabaceae family invading Catalina Island, where it spread from landscape plantings at a hotel. On the island, it outcompetes native species within oak woodland and chaparral. There is one report of it on the California mainland. Little research is available on Mediterranean broom although […]

Gazania linearis (Gazania) is a perennial herb (family Asteraceae) introduced as an ornamental plant. It has been reported escaping into creekside vegetation and into native grassland from plantings in San Francisco, Monterey, and Ventura Counties, where it can form a dense groundcover and outcompete other species.

Ficus carica (edible fig) is a small tree (family Moraceae) that is native to the Mediterranean region and southwestern Asia that has been grown since ancient times as a food source and an ornamental. Plants are deciduous, with large leaves that have 3-5 lobes and stems with smooth, white/grey bark, and fruits that are soft […]

Festuca arundinacea (tall fescue) is a perennial grass with coarse foliage (family Poaceae) found throughout California except in the Great Basin and deserts. It favors sites with heavy soil, including grassland, coastal scrub, roadsides, ditches and other disturbed sites. Tall fescue is commonly planted for turf and hay or erosion control, but it has escaped […]

Euphorbia terracina (carnation spurge) is a perennial or biennial species(family Euphorbiaceae) found on California’s south coast. Carnation spurge forms dense patches in disturbed grasslands, coastal bluffs, dunes, salt marshes, riparian areas and oak woodlands. Although carnation spurge was recently introduced to California and is not yet widely distributed, it has the potential to spread rapidly. […]

Euphorbia oblongata (eggleaf spurge) is a root-sprouting perennial forb (family Euphorbiaceae) that is native to southeastern Europe and Turkey and found across much of coastal northern California along streambanks, in woodlands, meadows, dry hillsides, and disturbed areas. It grows to 0.5m, has green-to-yellow foliage and leaves that are oval, 4-6 cm long. Seeds can remain […]

Euphorbia virgata (leafy spurge) is a perennial (family Euphorbiaceae) rhizomatous erect herb. Euphorbia esula can be found in scattered locations throughout northern California and crowding out native plant species. It can invade and dominate a variety of vegetation types, including prairies, grasslands and pine savannahs.

Geranium dissectum (cutleaf Geranium) is an annual or biennial forb/herb (family Geraniaceae) found throughout California along waste ground, grasslands, and hedge banks. It can compete with native vegetation for resources.

Cynoglossum officinale (houndstongue) is a biennial forb (family Boraginaceae) whose foliage can be toxic to horses and other livestock when it contaminates hay. In California, it is found in the Cascade Ranges. The seeds have hooked projections that facilitate long distance dispersal by animals and humans.

Cynodon dactylon (Bermuda grass) is a low-statured, creeping, warm season perennial grass (family Poaceae) that is commonly planted in garden lawns and as turf. It is native to East Africa but has become a cosmopolitan weed in warmer regions around the world, where it tolerates a broad range of soil types and moister levels. Bermuda […]