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Date

Latin name Common name Notes Citation
7/16/2010 Bromus tectorum
Cheatgrass
Cheatgrass biochemical pathways allow it to be better suited to high CO2 conditions than soybeans.
Yu, T.et al. 2010. Variability in C3-plant cell-wall biosynthesis in a high-CO2 atmosphere by solid-state NMR spectoscopy. Journal of the American Chemical Society. 132(18):6335-6341.
7/16/2010

Uses data from ornithologists and citizen scientists to track bird's use of invasive plant species
Asian, C. E. and M. Rejmanek. 2010. Avian use of introduced plants: ornithologist records illuminate interspecific associations and research needs. Ecological Applications 20(4):1005-1020.
7/16/2010 Microstegium vimineum
Japanese stiltgrass
Stiltgrass reduces tree seedling establishment of small-seeded species
Flory, S. L. and K. Clay. 2010. Non-native grass invasion suppresses forest succession. Oecologia, in press.
7/16/2010 Microstegium vimineum Japanese stiltgrass Stiltgrass reduces arthropod abundance and species richness by reducing native plant diversity.
Simao, M.C.M. et al. 2010. Experimental plant inavsion reduces arthropod abundance and richness across multiple trophic levels. Oikos, in press.
7/16/2010 Microstegium vimineum
Japanese stiltgrass
Hand weeding and treating with a grass-specific post-emergent herbicide both led to enhancement of native plant communities
Flory, S. L. 2010. Restoration of Microstegium vimineum invasions and recovery of resident plant communities.  Restoration Ecology 18:103-112..
7/16/2010 Eichornia crassipes
Water hyacinth
New biological control agent for water hyacinth
APHIS. 2010. Field release of Megamelus scutellaris, Berg (Hemiptera: Delphacidae), for biological control of Eichhornia crassipes Mart. (Solms) (Pontedriales: Pondtederiacease) in the Continental United States. Environmental Assessment. USDA, Riverdale, MD.
7/16/2010 Lygodium microphyllum, L. flexuosum
Old world climbing fern, maidenhair creeper
Have been added to the federal Noxious Weeds list
Federal Register, May 3, 2010. Vol. 75 No. 84, page 23151.
7/16/2010

Oregon adds Phragmites australis, Cuscuta japonica, Onopordium lauricum as A-rated noxious weeds and Geranium robertianum, G. lucidum, Ranunculus ficaria, and Daphne laureola as B-rated.  The noxious weesd law also includes ivys, butterfly bush and scotch broom.
Cabreza, J. (ed.) Jan. -April 2010. Aquatic Invasive Species News. Issue 28. Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission.
7/16/2010 Hydrilla verticillata
water milfoil
Hydrilla in the Potomac river has resulted in cleaner water and improved fish habitat
Rybicki, N. and J. Landwehr. 2007. Long-term changes in abundance and diversity of macrophyte and waterfowl populations in an estuary with exotic macrophytes and improving water quality. Limnology and Oceanography 52: 1195-1207.
7/16/2010

Goats are increasingly being used to control invasive plants.  Companies include Lariat Ranch in Oregon, Rent-a-Ruminant in Seattle, WA, and EcoGoats in Maryland.

7/16/2010 Fallopia japonica
Japanese knotweed
A psyllid was released in the UK to control Japanese knotweed.  It is the first biological control agent to be released there.
Shaw, R.H. et al. 2009.  The life history and host range of the Japanese knotweed psyllid, Aphalara itadori Shinji: Potentially the first classical biological weed control agent for the European Union. Biological Control 49(2):105-113.
7/16/2010 Phragmites australis
Common reed
Invasive phragmites produces phenolic gallic acid which restricts the growth of native plant species.
Bains et al. 2009. Native plant and microbial contributions to a negative plant-plant interaction. Plant Physiology 151(4):2145-2151.
7/16/2010 Microstegium vimineum Japanese stiltgrass New fungus causes leaf blight on Microstegium and reduces seed set.
Kleczewski, N. M. and S. L. Flory. 2010. Leaf blight disease on the invasive grass Microstegium vimineum caused by a Bipolaris sp. Plant Disease 94(7):807-811.
7/16/2010 Microstegium vimineum
Japanese stiltgrass
Stiltgrass spreads more readily along roads than in forests or wetlands.
Mortensen et al. 2009. Forest roads facilitate the spread of invasive plants. Invasive Plant Science and Management 2(3):191-199.
7/16/2010

Plant introductions result in greater species richness but reduced phylogenetic diversity in European flora.
Winter, M. et al. 2009. Plant extinctions and introduction lead to phylogenetic and taxonomic homogenization of the European flora. PNAS 106(51):21721-21725.
7/16/2010
Pueraria
kudzu
Kudzu was found along Lake Erie in Leamington, Ontario, Canada
Ontario Invasive Plant Council
7/16/2010
Vitex rotundifolia
beach vitex
Beach vitex has been quarantined in Virginia coastal areas as a step towards regulating it as a noxious weed.
Virginia Department of Agriculture quarantine letter
7/16/2010
Miscanthus sinensis
Miscanthus, silver grass
ARS researchers found Miscanthus hedges reduce erosion on slopes
Dabney, S. M. et al. 2009. How manangement of grass hedges affects their erosion reduction potential. Soil Science Society of America Journal 73:241-254.
7/16/2010
Alliaria petiolata
garlic mustard
A weevil is being tested as a possible biocontol agent for garlic musatard Gerber, E. et al. 2009. Biology and host specificity of Ceutorhynchus scrobicollis (Curculionidae; Coleoptera), a root-crown mining weevil proposed as biological control agent against Alliaria petiolata in North America.  Biocontrol Science and Technology, 19(2):117-138.
6/29/2009


ISAC invasive species definition
Beck, K. et al. 2008. Invasive species defined in a policy context: recommendations for the federal Invasive Species Advisory Committee.  Invasive Plant Science and Management 1(4):414-421.
6/29/2009

Invasive plants classified as competitors from mesic or nutrient rich environments benefit more from enemy release than invasive plants from drier, nutrient poor environments.
Blumenthal, D. et al. 2009.Synergy between pathogen release and resource availability in plant invasion.  PNAS:106(19): 7899-7904
6/29/2009


Study of Florida nursery finds plants marketed longer more likely to naturalize.  Aquatic herbs and vines and some plant families also more likely to naturalize. Pemberton, R. W., Hong Liu. 2009. Marketing time predicts naturalization of horticultural plants. Ecology: Vol. 90, No. 1, pp. 69-80.
6/29/2009

Chicago bans 14 ornamental plants egov.cityofchicago.org
6/29/2009 Acacia nilotica, Ageratina riparia, Arctotheca calendula, Euphorbia terracina; Inula britannica, Onopordum acaulon, O. illyricum
APHIS proposes to add 7 new species to the U.S. noxious weed list Federal Register vol. 74 #110

6/29/2009 Didymosphenia geminata didymo, rock snot A new occurrence of this freshwater diatom is reported in Esopus Creek, NY.  It is also in the Delaware River, TVA streams, CA, and in New Zealand, Asia and Europe.  It poses a threat to aquatic organisms and fishing.  It may be spread by fisherman on felt-soled waders. New York Times, June 16, 2009 and
Spaulding, S. and L. Elwell. 2007. Increase in nuisance blooms and geographic expansion of the freshwater diatom Didymosphenia geminata. Available online: http://www.epa.gov/region8/water/
didymosphenia/
White%20Paper%20Jan%202007.pdf

6/29/2009 Lespedeza cuneata

Chinese lespedeza Native Lespedeza virginica population growth rates were much lower than those of L. cuneata.  Although herbivory was higher on L. virginica, this had relatively little effect on its growth rate. Higher fertility of L. cuneata is responsible for the higher pop. growth rate. Schutzenhofer, M. R. et al. 2009.  Herbivory and population dynamics of invasive and native Lespedeza.  Oecologia 161:57-66.
6/29/2009
Didymosphenia geminata
didymo, rock snot
A new occurrence of this freshwater diatom is reported in Esopus Creek, NY.  It is also in the Delaware River, TVA streams, CA, and in New Zealand, Asia and Europe.  It poses a threat to aquatic organisms and fishing.  It may be spread by fisherman on felt-soled waders.
New York Times, June 16, 2009
and
Spaulding, S. and L. Elwell. 2007. Increase in nuisance blooms and geographic expansion of the freshwater diatom Didymos
6/29/09
Lespedeza cuneata
Chinese lespedeza
Native Lespedeza virginica population growth rates were much lower than those of L. cuneata.  Although herbivory was higher on L. virginica, this had relatively little effect on its growth rate. Higher fertility of L. cuneata is responsible for the higher pop. growth rate.
Schutzenhofer, M. R. et al. 2009.  Herbivory and population dynamics of invasive and native Lespedeza.  Oecologia 161:57-66.
6/25/09
Berberis thunbergii, Alliaria petiolata, Microstegium vimineum
Japanese barberry, garlic mustard, stiltgrass
Canopy disturbance (caused by Hemlock wooly adelgid) and available seeds surrounding forests contributed significantly to plant invasions in eastern forests.
Eschtruth, A.K. and J. J. Battles. 2009. Assessing the relative importance of disturbance, herbivory, diversity, and propagule pressure in exotic plant invasion. Ecological Monographs: Vol. 79, No. 2, pp. 265-280.
12/15/08
Triadica sebifera
Chinese tallow tree
Planting seeds and saplings in open versus closed canopy upland and lowland sites across T. sebifera's range showed that the tree is somewhat limited by shade.  It grew in all open canopy sites even outside its current range.
Pattison, R. R. and R. N. Mack.  2008. Environmental constraints on the invasion of Triadica sebifera in the eastern United States:  an experimental field assessment.  Oecologia 158: 591-602.
12/4/08
Tamarix spp.
tamarisk
Journal issue covers restoration of sites invaded by tamarisk including articles on birds, butterflies and vegetation.
Restoration Ecology 16(1).  2008
12/4/08
Alliaria petiolata
garlic mustard
Phytochemicals produced by garlic mustard severely inhibit growth of mycorrhizae in North America resulting in suppression of native plant species.
Callaway, RM et al. 2008. Novel weapons: invasive plant suppresses fungal mutualists in America but not in its native Europe. Ecology 89:1043-1055.
12/4/08
Berberis thunbergii
Japanese barberry
Research on effectiveness of control treatments using herbicides or propane torches.
Ward, J.S et al. 2008. Controlling Japanese barberry (Berberis thunbergii DC) in New England, USA. Forest Ecology and Management 257:561-566.
3/25/08
Osplimenus hirtellus ssp. undulatifolius
wavyleaf basketgrass
Populations of this grass were found in Baltimore and PG County MD after its initial siting in Patapsco State Park.  MD Dept. of Natural Resources is using this as a test case for early detection/rapid response protocols.
www.mdinvasivesp.org ; Invader of the Month.
3/25/08
Phalaris arundinacea
reed canary grass
Reed canary grass had higher genetic diversity  and heritable phenotypic variation in its invasive range compared to its native range.  It was introduced multiple times and has recombined to form novel genotypes.  This may allow it to adapt rapidly to climate change and invade new habitats.
Lavergne, S. and J. Molofsky.  2007.  PNAS 104:3883-3888.
3/25/08
Phragmites australis
common reed
Researchers at University of Delaware have found that the invasive strain of Phragmites secretes a gallic acid that disintegrates structural proteins in the roots of neighboring plants.
T. Rudrappa, J. Bonsall, J. L. Gallagher, D. M. Seliskar and H. P. Bais. 2007.
Root-secreted Allelochemical in the Noxious Weed Phragmites australis Deploys a Reactive Oxygen Species Response and Microtubule Assembly Disruption to Execute Rhizotoxicity.  J. Chem. Ecol. 33:1573-1561.
3/25/08
Hydrilla verticillata
hydrilla
In the Potomac River, hydrilla appears to have beneficial effects on the river stabilizing the bottom, slowing currents and growing with native plants.
Pelton, Tom.  July 30, 2007.  "Invader might be a savior" Baltimore Sun.
3/25/08
Polygonum sachalinense
giant knotweed
The US Forest Service Northeastern Area Invasive plant website has many "Weed of the Week" fact sheets with identification and control tips.
http://www.na.fs.fed.us/fhp/invasive_plants/
3/21/08
Phalaris arundinacea
reed canary grass
Reducing nitrogen availability in a wetland enabled a native sedge to reduce the biomass of reed canary grass.
Perry, L. G., S. M. Galatowitsch and C. J. Rosen.  2004.  J. Appl. Ecol. 41:151-162.
3/21/08
Centaurea diffusa
diffuse knapweed
Grasslands can resist invasion by diffuse knapweed, but their resistance can be lowered through reduced competition and increased soil nutrient levels.
Seastedt, T. R. and K. N. Suding.  2007.  Biotic constraints on the invasion of diffuse knapweed (Centaurea diffusa) in North American grasslands.  Oecologia 151: 626-636.
3/21/08
Buddleja davidii
butterfly bush
In a study in Germany, butterfly bush had several physiological traits that would make it more efficient at using N in photosynthesis compared to 5 native species.  This could facilitate its ability to invade.
Feng, Y., H. Auge, S.K. Ebeling.  2007.  Invasive Buddleja davidii allocates more nitrogen to its photosynthetic machinery than five native woody species.  Oecologia 153:501-510.
3/21/08
Cuscuta japonica
Japanese dodder
In CA and TX infestations of Japanese dodder have appeared.  The parasitic plant looking like orange spaghetti can engulf small trees.  There are also many native species of dodder and they are difficult to distinguish.  Japanese dodder may have arrived on imported nursery plants or as seed that is used in traditional Hmong herbal medicine.
 Sullivan, Ron and Joe Eaton. "The Dirt:  Beware the Invasive Japanese Dodder" 10/17/07 www.sfgate.com
3/21/08
Acer platanoides
Norway maple
A field experiment in New Jersey showed reduced growth of red maple saplings in stands with a high proportion of Norway maple compared to native stands of forest trees.
Galbraith-Kent, S. L. and S. N. Handel.  2008.  Invasive Acer platanoides inhibits native sapling growth in forest understorey communities.  J. Ecol. 96 (2): 293-302.
3/21/08
Buddleja spp.
butterfly bush
Evaluation of 14 cultivars of Buddleja for seed germination.  All cultivars produced seed.  Germination required light with highest germination rates  at 74%.
Wilson, S. B., M. Thetford, L. K. Mecca, J. S. Raymer and J. A. Gersony.  2004.  Evaluation of 14 butterfly bush taxa grown in Western and Southern Florida:  II. seed production and germination.  Hort. Tech. 14 (4):612
3/28/07 Ailanthus altissima tree of heaven A wilt fungus has been killing tree-of-heaven in the northeastern US and could be useful as a biocontrol agent for the tree. Jianqing Ding, Yun Wu, Hao Zheng, Weidong Fu, Richard Reardon, Min Liu. 2006. Assessing potential biological control of the invasive plant, tree-of-heaven, Ailanthus altissima. Biocontrol Science and Technology 16: 547-566
3/28/07 Arum italicum Italian Lords and Ladies Watch list: Noticed spreading in Alexandria, VA park and in Rock Creek Park in DC in moist soils MA-EPPC listserve
3/28/07 Lonicera maackii Amur honeysuckle Amur honeysuckle not only reduces plant diversity in hardwood forests, but it also significantly reduces tree growth and diameter of previously established trees. McCarthy, B. 2006. Hardwood forest invasion by a non-indigenous shrub (Amur honeysuckle) negatively affects overstory productivity. North Central Weed Science Society Proceedings. 61:182
3/28/07 Mahonia spp. grape holly Watch list: Oregon grape holly (M. aquifolium) native to the western US, and M. bealei, an Asian Mahonia are naturalizing and spreading in natural areas in the Mid Atlantic region. No studies have been done on potential effects. Plants were removed from Sligo Creek Park, Silver Springs, MD Native Plants East listserve
3/28/07 Oplismenus hirtellus ssp. undulatifolius wavy leaf basketgrass Very recently noticed spreading rapidly in Patapsco Valley State Park in Maryland and a site north of the park. Native to Europe and southeastern Asia. Peterson, P. 1999
3/28/07 Phalaris arundinaceae reed canarygrass Interbreeding of multiple introductions of reed canarygrass has led to super-successful strains invading natural areas in North America. Lavergne, S. and J. Molofsky. 2007. Increased genetic variation and evolutionary potential drive the success of an invasive grass. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 10:1073
3/28/07 Ulex europaeus gorse In New Zealand a study found that nitrate levels in water leaching out of stands of gorse was significantly higher than water from surrounding areas. This could lead to water quality problems in surrounding lakes and rivers.

G. Magesan, H. Wang, P. Clinton, and J. McIntosh. 2006. Nitrate leaching from gorse - a study from New Zealand. 18th World Congress of Soil Science, Philadelphia, PA

 

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