Dactylis glomerata (orchard grass) is an aggressive perennial grass (family Poaceae) widespread throughout California. It grows in any type of soil, is drought resistant, and can overrun some grasslands. Orchard grass is a desirable pasture grass but has escaped cultivation in many natural areas throughout the United States.

Bromus hordeaceus (soft brome) is an annual grass (family Poaceae) distributed at low elevation areas in California, especially in disturbed and open areas. Bromus hordeaceus out competes native grasses and is commonly eaten by range animals, although its forage value is very low. It can invade soils with low fertility, such as the serpentine soils […]

Bromus japonicus (Japanese brome, Japanese chess) is a cool season annual grass (family Poaceae) commonly found in Northern California. This grass out-competes native grasses in areas where grazing and fire have been reduced. It is native to Eurasia.

Bromus tectorum (downy brome, cheatgrass) is an annual grass (family Poaceae). It is the dominant grass on sagebrush (Artemisia species) rangelands on the Modoc Plateau in northeastern California and along the eastern Sierra Nevada to Owens Valley. This weed overcrowds native grasslands and croplands. Replacement of native grasses by cheatgrass increases the frequency and extent […]

Cakile maritima (European sea rocket) is a succulent annual or perennial (family Brassicaceae) found in coastal dunes spread throughout the coast of California. European sea rocket is a common invasive plant, but its impacts appear to be relatively minor. European sea rocket reproduces by seed, which is distributed by ship ballasts, sand transport, tidal movement, […]

Lepidium draba (hoary cress) is a perennial herb (family Brassicaceae) found most commonly in riparian areas and marshes of the central coast of California. It is also found in the southwestern region of the state, the Sacramento Valley, and the Klamath Range, where it is very invasive. This plant quickly colonizes disturbed sites, irrigated agricultural […]

Cotoneaster franchetii (orange Cotoneaster) is an evergreen shrub (family Rosaceae) found in the northwest and central west regions of California. Orange Cotoneaster, which has pink flowers and orange fruits, was introduced from China in 1854 as an ornamental plant, and has escaped cultivation. It is found in disturbed places, especially near residential sites, as well […]

Cotoneaster lacteus (Parney’s Cotoneaster) is an evergreen shrub (family Rosaceae) found along the central and north coast of California. Parney’s Cotoneaster, which has white flowers and red fruits, was introduced from China as an ornamental plant, and has escaped cultivation. It is found in disturbed places, especially near residential sites, as well as undisturbed coastal […]

Cotula coronopifolia (brassbuttons) is a perennial herb (family Asteraceae) found along the coast of California, in the Central Valley and the South Coast Ranges. Brassbuttons prefers moist habitat, including salt and freshwater marshes, wetlands, and vernal pools. It most commonly invades disturbed sites, but can spread into undisturbed sites as well. This South African native […]

Crataegus monogyna (English hawthorn) is a deciduous shrub or small tree (family Rosaceae) found in California along the north and central coast and in the North Coast Ranges. English hawthorn was introduced to California as a landscape ornamental. It has escaped cultivation, growing in moist soil in riparian areas, woodlands and grasslands. At about 10 […]