What are invasive plants?
Invasive plants are introduced plant species from somewhere else; they grow fast, reproduce, infest natural landscapes and have negative impacts on wildlands wherever they grow. There are about 200 non-native plants that are considered invasive plants that are threatening the native landscape throughout California. Invasive plants are bullies. They suck up available water and resources faster than native plants and they grow extremely fast, giving them the advantage to crowd the native plants out of the landscape. The loss of native plants to invasive plants leads to a reduction in the diversity of animals, insects and birds due to the loss of food and nesting resources. Monocultures (dominated by one plant species) created by invasive plants can increase the risk of fire and erosion, block irrigation systems, dry up creeks, reduce our scenic views and interferes with recreational activities (as plants quickly encroach and cover trails, or are thorny).
Invasive plant infestations are occurring throughout the Santa Monica Mountains Recreational Area and are a threat to local native plants.
Why are biologists so concerned about invasive plants?
Several negative impacts occur from invasive plants:
Ecological
- The loss of native plants – native plants are replaced by invasive plant species
- They create monocultures of invasive plants
- Reduction of plant and animal diversity – habitat is no longer desirable for many species
- Reduction of food for wildlife
- The loss of shelter, cover and nesting sites or den sites for wildlife
- Absorbs water resources from other plants and dries up creeks
- Alters soil microbes and nutrient cycling – shifting processes to suit their own survival and not the natives
Recreational and Personnel
- Increases risk of fire – with flashy dead annual species, fires ignite quicker and spread faster than native plant communities
- Uncomfortable for recreation – hiking, biking, dog walking and equestrian riding
- Affects scenic views
- Affects wildflower viewing due to loss of wildflowers
- Affects bird watching due to loss of bird diversity in area
How do invasive plants get into wildland habitat?
Many invasive plants have been introduced through the horticultural trade and are often planted as landscape ornamentals for residential homes, recreational parks, and as roadside stabilizers.
Seeds of invasive plants can be:
- Blown by wind into wildlands from neighbors' yards, city parks and roadsides
- Transported into wildlands through water runoff; rain and over watering
- Carried into wildlands on peoples shoes and pet’s fur
- Transported into wildlands on bicycle, vehicle tires, frames, and horses
Are there invasive plants in my yard?
This is a partial list of the Invasive Plant Species biologists are the most concerned about in the Santa Monica Mountains, with the first ten currently the greatest concern. Please do your best to avoid planting these species in your yards. If some of these plants already exist in your yard they are likely spreading their seeds through water runoff or wind. You can help protect native plants and animals from these invasive bullies by simply removing them from your yard. Refer to plantright.org for alternatives to them for your landscaping.
The “Evil 25"
Species (Common Name) |
Species (Scientific Name) |
Periwinkle |
Vinca Major |
Cape Ivy |
Delairea odorata |
Spanish Broom |
Spartium junceum |
Fountain Grass |
Pennisetum setaceum |
Pampas Grass, Jubata Grass |
Cortaderia jubata |
Tree of Heaven |
Ailanthus altisissima |
Sweet Fennel |
Foeniculum vulgare |
Myoporum |
Myoporum laetum |
Giant Reed |
Arundo donax |
Poison Hemlock |
Conium maculatum |
Russian Knapweed |
Acroptilon reopens |
Onionweed |
Asphodelus fistulosus |
Italian Thistle |
Carduus pycnocephalus |
Saffron Thistle, Wooly Distaff Thistle |
Carthamus lanatus |
Yellow Starthistle
|
Centaurea solstitialis |
Bull Thistle |
Cirsium vulgare |
Artichoke Thistle |
Cynara cardunculus |
Geraldton Carnation Spurge |
Euphorbia terracina |
Perennial Pepperweed |
Lepidium latifolium |
Tree Tobacco |
Nicotiana glauca |
Harding Grass
|
Phalaris aquatica |
Castor Bean |
Ricinis communis |
Russian Thistle |
Salsola australis |
Milk Thistle |
Silybum marianum |
Umbrella Sadge |
Cyperus involucratus |
How are biologists tackling invasive plant populations in the Santa Monica Mountains?
- Remove populations that are threatening rare or sensitive species or habitats
- Eradicate populations that are currently present in low numbers within the park
- Prevent expansion of current populations – neighbors can help by preventing spread
- Prevent introduction and establishment of new populations within the park
How you can help
Take Action Against Invasive Plants
Links
Statewide IPM Program
California Invasive Plant Council
California Native Plant Society
Invasive Plant Inventory
Los Angeles County Weed Management Area
Plantright.org