Arum italicum (Italian Arum) is a tuber-forming perennial in the family Araceae that has been used extensively in the horticultural industry. It is native to much of Europe, northern Africa, and western Asia and has naturalized throughout the wetter regions of the western U.S. as well as locally in the eastern U.S., in Australia, New […]
Perennial sweet pea (Lathyrus latifolius; Fabaceae) is an herbaceous perennial vine in the pea family that has a long history in horticulture as an ornamental. It is native to Europe, but has naturalized throughout the United States, in Australia, and beyond its historic native range, across northern Africa and southern Europe. In California, this species […]
Acacia saligna (golden wreath wattle, orange wattle) is a shrubby tree in the pea family (Fabaceae) that is native to Australia. It is grown as an ornamental and has become naturalized in coastal and southern California as well as in other Mediterranean climates in South Africa, parts of southern Europe, and where it is not native in […]
Acacia longifolia (Sydney golden wattle) is a summer-blooming shrub or tree in the pea family (Fabaceae) that is native to Australia. It is variable in size and has been cultivated as an ornamental. Its leaves are leathery and strap-like, finger-wide and long, with parallel veins and have a conspicuous basal gland with no resinous margins. […]
Tamarix parviflora (smallflower tamarisk) is a shrub or a tree (family Tamaricaceae) and can be found along streams and lake shores, throughout California. Tamarix species are associated with dramatic changes in geomorphology, groundwater availability, soil chemistry, fire frequency, plant community composition, and native wildlife diversity.
Salsola tragus (Russian-thistle) is a large, bushy summer annual (family Chenopodiaceae). It can be found throughout California, including in agricultural areas, desert, roadsides and other disturbed areas. Russian-thistle can impede traffic, create fire hazards, and is a host of the beet leaf-hopper, an agricultural insect pest.
Salsola paulsenii (barbwire Russian thistle) is a bushy annual (family Chenopodiaceae) found throughout the Mojave Desert of California. It is native to southeastern Europe, central Asia. It prefers loose, sandy soils in desert scrub and disturbed areas, such as roadsides and cultivated fields. Barbwire Russian thistle is easily confused with Russian thistle (Salsola tragus), and […]
Pennisetum clandestinum (kikuyugrass) is a perennial grass (family Poaceae) that prefers disturbed areas, such as roadsides, urban areas, cropland, turf, forested sites and wetland areas. Kikuyugrass reproduces from seed and vegetatively, using its extensive system of creeping stolons and rhizomes. Kikuyugrass populations can be controlled by hand removal if detected early. Agricultural and landscape maintenance equipment […]
Ononis alopecuroides (foxtail restharrow) is a woody annual (family Fabaceae) whose current distribution in California is limited to one location in San Luis Obispo County. This Mediterranean native prefers disturbed places, such as fields and pastures, as well as grasslands and oak woodlands. Although the one known population is almost completely eradicated, foxtail restharrow has the […]
Ludwigia peploides (creeping water primrose) is a perennial aquatic plant (family Onagraceae) that forms very dense, virtually impenetrable mats which restrict fishing and boat access. It also out competes native aquatic plants. Ludwigia peploides can be found throughout California in rice fields, ditches, ponds, slow moving streams, and along edges of lakes and reservoirs. There is […]