Invasive Plants of the United States

Invasive Plants of the United States:
Identification, Biology and Control

Technical Coordinators:
Charles T. Bargeron, Carey R. Minteer, Christopher W. Evans,
David J. Moorhead, G. Keith Douce and Richard C. Reardon

The University of Georgia
Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health and
USDA Forest Service - Forest Health Technology Enterprise Team
FHTET-2008-11

A biological invasion of non-native plants is spreading into our nation's fields, pastures, forests, wetlands, waterways, natural areas, and rights-of-way. Variously referred to as exotic, nonnative, alien, noxious, or non-indigenous weeds, invasive plants impact native plant and animal communities by displacing native vegetation and disrupting habitats as they become established and spread over time.

The project includes 218 invasive plant species in the United States. The focus of this DVD-ROM is to provide identification, ecology, and control information for invasive plants in the United States occurring in aquatic, wetland, forest, rangeland, desert, or prairie habitats. This product compiles information in recent publications from leaders in invasive species management in the United States, such as the USDA Forest Service, USDA APHIS PPQ, The Nature Conservancy, The Plant Conservation Alliance, The Southeast Exotic Pest Plant Council, and the Invasive Plant Atlas of New England.

While this is not an official list of "invasive" plants throughout the United States, it includes Federal Noxious Weeds and those listed by state regulatory agencies, pest plant councils, and other organizations. Some of the plants on this list are often found in ornamental plantings and landscapes. In fact, many non-native plants introduced for horticultural and agricultural use now pose a serious ecological threat in the absence of their natural predators and control agents. This publication will aid landowners, foresters, resource managers, and the general public in becoming familiar with invasive plants in their area to help protect our environment from the economic and ecological impacts of these biological pollutants.

www.invasive.org