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 […]

Cortaderia selloana (pampasgrass) is a large perennial grass (family Poaceae) found along the coast of California, and in the Coast Ranges, Central Valley, Western Transverse Ranges, and Mojave Desert. Pampasgrass favors dunes, bluffs, coastal shrublands and marshes, inland riparian areas, and disturbed areas. It was introduced as an ornamental plant and for erosion control. Each […]

Cortaderia jubata (jubatagrass) is a large perennial grass (family Poaceae) found along the coast of California and in the Coast Ranges. Jubatagrass favors dunes, bluffs, and disturbed areas, including inland areas where temperatures are moderated by fog. It was introduced as an ornamental plant and for erosion control. Each plume produces up to 100,000 seeds […]

Conium maculatum (poison-hemlock) is a biennial forb (family Apiaceae). Poison-hemlock has spread throughout California in areas below 5,000 feet (1,500 m) elevation, excluding the Great Basin and Desert provinces and is commonly found in dense patches along roadsides and fields. It also thrives in meadows and pastures and is occasionally found in riparian forests and […]

Conicosia pugioniformis (narrowleaf iceplant) is a succulent perennial (family Aizoaceae) found on dunes, beaches, scrub and grassland along the central coast of California, especially in Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties. Narrowleaf iceplant does not form mats like other invasive iceplants (i.e., Carpobrotus edulis or C. chilensis) so its impacts are less severe. However, […]

Cirsium vulgare (bull thistle) is a perennial or biennial forb (family Asteraceae) Bull thistle is widespread in California and is most common in coastal grasslands, along edges of fresh and brackish marshes, and in meadows and mesic forest openings in the mountains below 7,000 feet (2,120 m). It is most troublesome in recently or repeatedly […]

Cirsium arvense (Canada thistle) is a perennial (family Asteraceae) found scattered throughout California, except in the Sonoran and Mojave Deserts and the southern Sierra Nevada. Canada thistle forms dense patches which may crowd out native vegetation. This clump-forming plant reproduces by seed and vegetatively from its extensive root system. Control is difficult because root fragments […]

Glebionis coronaria (crown daisy) is a flowering annual (family Asteraceae) found along the central and south coast of California. Crown daisy commonly invades riparian areas, coastal dunes, prairies and scrub. It is a common ornamental plant that escapes garden settings and easily invades disturbed areas. The seeds of crown daisies sprout very quickly after rain, […]

Chondrilla juncea (rush skeletonweed) is a perennial or biennial forb (family Asteraceae) and can be found scattered throughout California but is considered an uncommon weed. It can grow in disturbed soils of roadsides, croplands, especially irrigated grain fields, semi-arid pastures, rangelands, and residential properties. Plants are highly competitive for water and nutrients. It is native […]

Centaurea solstitialis (yellow starthistle) is a bushy winter annual (family Asteraceae) from the Mediterranean region in Europe that has invaded over 12 million acres in California. Yellow starthistle inhabits open hills, grasslands, open woodlands, fields, roadsides, and rangelands, and it is considered one of the most serious rangeland weeds in the state. It propagates rapidly […]