Ageratina adenophora (croftonweed, Eupatorium) is a perennial herb or small shrub (family Asteraceae) found along the coast of California and in the South Coast and Transverse Ranges. It prefers disturbed areas, coastal canyons, riparian areas and scrub, and is especially invasive in mild coastal areas. Originally introduced to California as an ornamental plant, croftonweed escaped […]

Arundo donax (giant reed) is a tall perennial grass (family Poaceae) that typically forms dense stands on disturbed sites, sand dunes, riparian areas, and wetlands. It has invaded central and coastal Southern California river valleys, central California river valleys in San Luis Obispo and Monterey counties, the San Francisco Bay Area, the Sacramento and San […]

Asparagus asparagoides (bridal creeper or African Asparagus fern) is a rhizomatous perennial herb (family Liliaceae) found in riparian woodlands of California’s central and south coast. Asparagus asparagoides colonizes both disturbed areas and undisturbed native habitats, but its current distribution is very limited. Plant shoots can form dense mats that limit light levels and then die […]

Asphodelus fistulosus (onion weed) is an annual/perennial herb (family Liliaceae) found in dry, sandy and rocky places, as well as pastures, roadsides and waste places. Livestock avoid eating it, allowing it to create dense stands that crowd out more desirable forage species in pastures. It is primarily found along coastal regions of Southern California. It […]

Atriplex semibaccata (Australian saltbush) is a low-statured, spreading, shrubby perennial (family Chenopodiaceae) that is native to Australia. It is distinguished by its small, grey-green leaves that are white on the underside and red, diamond-shaped fleshy fruits. Australian saltbush was introduced as a forage plant in the 1920’s. Since then, it has escaped cultivation and is […]

Avena barbata (slender wild oat) is a winter annual grass (family Poaceae) that grows in nearly every grassland area of the state. It does well in sandy/poor soils, often on the road verges. It is one of the annual grasses that was introduced as a forage species and has replaced the native perennial grasses. It […]

Avena fatua (wild oat) is a winter annual grass (family Poaceae) that is a common agricultural weed. It grows in most grassland sites within the state, particularly in sandy/poor soils, often on the road verges. It is one of the annual grasses that was introduced as a forage species and has replaced the native perennial […]

Bassia hyssopifolia (fivehook Bassia) is an annual herb (family Chenopodiaceae) found throughout California, except in high elevation areas in the northwestern region of the state and Sierra Nevada Mountains. It prefers wetland areas, alkaline habitats and disturbed places such as roadsides and fields. Fivehook Bassia is acceptable forage for sheep in small amounts, but the […]

Bellardia trixago (Bellardia) is an annual herb (family Orobanchaceae) found in the San Francisco Bay region, southern Sacramento Valley, western North Coast Ranges and central coast of California. It is commonly found in disturbed grasslands, including rare serpentine grasslands, as well as along roadsides and in fields. Plants have an erect habit, grow to 50-70 […]

Brachypodium distachyon (annual false-brome, false-brome, purple false-brome) is a winter annual grass (family Poaceae) that is locally abundant in drier regions of California. Its native range is Eurasia with a primary distribution center in the Mediterranean. Annual false-brome has been introduced and become problematic across several other regions of the world. This grass can be […]