# Invasive Plant Pest Species of South Carolina Species List by Severity of Threat (from previous page) and by Growth Form **Distribution codes** : (Based upon maps of South Carolina Plant Atlas) M=mountains, P=piedmont, CP=coastal plain Trees **Severe Threat:** Triadica sebifera , Chinese tallow tree (Sapium sebifera in Atlas) .................................................................. PCP **Significant Threat :** Ailanthus altissima , Tree of heaven .............................................................................................................. MPCP Albizia julibrissin, Mimosa, Silktree ............................................................................................................... MPCP Melia azedarach, Chinaberry ........................................................................................................................ MPCP Paulownia tomentosa , Princess tree .................................................................................................................. MP Shrubs **Severe Threat:** Elaeagnus angustifolia , Russian Olive – Not in Atlas Elaeagnus pungens, Thorny Olive ..................................................................................................................... MP Elaeagnus umbellata, Autumn Olive .................................................................................................................. MP Ligustrum japonicum , Japanese Privet ........................................................................................................ MPCP Ligustrum sinensis, Chinese Privet .............................................................................................................. MPCP Rosa multiflora , Multiflora Rose ................................................................................................................... MPCP **Significant Threat:** Lespedeza bicolor , Two Color Bush Clover ................................................................................................. MPCP Mahonia bealei , Leatherleaf Mahonia ................................................................................................................... P Mahonia nervosa , Cascade Oregon Grape ....................................................................................................... CP Nandina domestica , Nadina, Sacred Bamboo ..................................................................................................... M Vines **Severe Threat:** Lonicera japonica , Japanese Honeysuckle .................................................................................................. MPCP Pueraria lobata , Kudzu ............................................................................................................................... .. MPCP Wisteria sinensis, Chinese Wisteria ............................................................................................................. MPCP Wisteria floribunda , Asian Wisteria ....................................................................................................................... P **Significant Threat:** Hedera helix , English Ivy .............................................................................................................................. M PCP Lygodium japonicum , Japanese Climbing Fern ............................................................................................ MPCP Vitex rotundifolia , Beach Vitex ............................................................................................................................ CP Grasses, sedges **Severe Threat:** Microstegium vimineum , Japanese stilt grass ............................................................................................ MPCP Phragmites australis, Common reed .................................................................................................................. CP **Significant Threat:** Arundo donax , Giant Reed ........................................................................................................................... MPCP Paspalum notatum , Bahia grass .................................................................................................................. MPCP Phyllostachys aurea Bamboo ........................................................................................................................... PCP Miscanthus sinensis, Chinese Sil vergras s .................................................................................................. MPCP Schedonorus arundinaceus, Tall Fescue – Not in Atlas (Schedonorus arundinaceus or Festuca arundinaceus) Herbs **Severe Threat:** Murdannia keis ak, Wart Removing Herb ...................................................................................................... MPCP **Significant Threat:** Carduus nutans, Nodding Thistle, Marsh Thistle .............................................................................................. MP Cirsium vulgare, Bull Thistle ............................................................................................................................... MP Reynoutria japonica , Japanese Knotweed – Not in Atlas Solanum viarum , Tropical Soda Apple – Not in Atlas S O U T H C A R O L I N A SC- EPPC

Ted Bodner, Southern Weed Science Society

### Invasive, or exotic pest plant species are a growing problem in South Carolina. Nonnative plant invasions can be seen in natural areas, croplands, rangelands, pastures, forests, wetlands and waterways, wilderness areas, parks and refuges, and highway rights-of-way. Not all non-native plants are invasive. In fact, a large number of our agricultural crops and ornamental plants are non-native (exotic) in origin. Exotic plants are only a problem when they escape cultivation, spread rapidly and aggressively compete with native species. Invasive plant populations can grow, adapt, multiply, and spread to unmanageable levels, often overwhelming entire landscapes. Invasives significantly reduce plant biodiversity and can be a severe threat to stability and sustainability of ecosystems. Management of invasive, nonnative plant species is difficult and complex. It is estimated that 100 million acres in the United States are already impacted by invasive plant species. Preventing further spread of invasive plants and recapturing impacted sites is a monumental task that depends on public awareness, support, and participation. This brochure shows and describes our top ten invasive plants as determined by the South Carolina Exotic Pest Plant Council (SCEPPC). Additional invasive species that are a potential threat are listed on the back panel. 

# Invasive Plant Pest Species of South Carolina

What can you do to help? O 

### Many invasive plants are still sold commercially. If you see them at ornamental

nurseries or elsewhere, **do not** purchase or plant them in your yard. O 

### Inform others of the problems created by invasive species. O 

### Replace established invasive plants with alternative **native species.** More detailed

information on alternatives can be obtained from the South Carolina Native Plant Society home pag e: www.scnps.org/ O 

### Other good sources of information include the Clemson Cooperative Extension Service (www.clemson.edu/public) and The Bugwood Network (www.bugwood.org). O 

### For eradication guidelines and assistance in locating contractors to conduct this

work contact the Clemson Cooperativ e Extension Service or The Department of Plant Industry. (http://dpi.clemson.edu/PI_index.htm) O 

### Become an active member of the South Carolina Exotic Pest Plant Council. Mail a

check marked “SCEPPC Dues” and made payable to SCEPPC to: Larry Nelson, SCEPPC, 272 Lehotsky Hall, Dept. of Forestry and Natural Resources, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29634-0317, or go to www.se-eepc.org, select South Carolina , then Membership Form . 

# Common Reed Phragmites australis O 

### Origin is not clear. Species is found in Asia,

Europe and North America. O 

### Clonal grass species with

woody hollow culms that can grow up to 6 feet in height. O 

### Largely a weed of natural

areas and presents a significant threat to biological diversity along Atlantic coastal areas. 

# Wart-Removing Herb Murdannia keisak (Hassk.) Hand.-Maz. O 

### Originally associated with rice

production in east Asia and likely was imported with rice to be used as seed in Louisiana and South Carolina. Earliest records of existence are from the 1920’s. O 

### Found in all coastal states from

Delaware to Louisiana. O 

### Dispersal is by seed and from

vegetative structures. Waterfowl favor seed as a food source and are a suspected vector. O 

### Has an aggressive ability to establish and take over wetlands and marshes at the

exclusion of native plants. South Carolina Exotic Pest Plant Council Non-Native Invasive Plant Species List - March, 2004 Definitions **Severe threat:** Exotic invasive plant species which are known to pose a severe threat to the composition, structure, or function of natural areas in the state of South Carolina. **Significant threat:** Exotic invasive plant species which are not presently considered to spread as easily into native plant communities as the above. (OVER) 

### All photos in this brochure courtesy of Forestry Images.org Bernd Blossey, Cornell UniversityJames R. Allison, GA Dept. of Natural Resources

Milo Pyne, USDA-NRCS Plants Database

# Chinese Tallow Tree Triadica sebifera (L.) Small



# Autumn Olive Elaeagnus umbellata Thunb. O 

### Introduced to South Carolina from China in the late

1700’s. O 

### Deciduous tree that grows to 60 feet in height O 

### Distinctive features include heart-shaped leaves that

turn yellow to red in the fall and fruit that resembles popcorn. O 

### Fruit and seed are borne in terminal three-lobed

clusters that split, revealing white wax coated seeds. O 

### Seeds are dispersed by birds and water. O 

### Vigorous regeneration along streams, flood plains and uplands is a hindrance to the establishment of natural plant species and to forest regeneration.

O 

### Introduced from China and Japan in 1830 – Widely planted for wildlife habitat improvement. O 

### Deciduous bushy shrub that grows to 20

feet in height. O 

### Distinctive features are bright green leaves with silver undersides and production of many red berries in the fall. O 

### Prefers drier sites and is shade tolerant. O 

### Scattered trees in forest openings eventually

form dense stands that grow at the expense of other species. 

# Wisteria (Chinese and Japanese) Wisteria sinensis (Sims) DC and W. floribunda (Wild) DC.
O 

### Introduced from Asia in the early 1800’s

— traditional southern porch vine. O 

### Deciduous high climbing, twining, or

trailing leguminous woody vine up to 70 feet long. O 

### Distinguishing features include showy, fragrant,lavender to violet pealike flowers in spring, alternate, odd pinnately compound leaves and large, velvety leguminous pods. O 

### Spreads by rooting at nodes and water-dispersal of seeds. O 

### Forms dense growth capable of killing trees and excluding other plant species. 

# Japanese Stiltgrass Microstegium vimineum (Trin.) A Camus O 

### Native to Asia and first identified near Knoxville, TN in 1919. O 

### Sprawling annual grass growing to 3 feet in height. O 

### Prominent features – alternate, flat, two to four inch leaves and thin, spikelike flowers. O 

### Prolific seeds remain viable for up to 3 years.

Spreads by water and hitchhiking on animals and people. O 

### Will overtake and dominate sites on floodplains,

streamsides, forest edges, roadsides, ditchbanks, trails, damp fields, swamps and lawns. James H. Miller, USDA Forest Service

James R. Allison, GA Dept. of Natural Resources Chuck Bargeron, University of Georgia

Ted Bodner, Southern Weed Science Society Ted Bodner, Southern Weed Science Society

James H. Miller, USDA Forest Service Ted Bodner, Southern Weed Science SocietyTed Bodner, Southern Weed Science SocietyJames H. Miller, USDA Forest ServiceO 

### Introduced from China in the early to mid-1800’s. O 

### Semi-evergreen, thicket forming shrub growing to

30 feet in height. O 

### Distinguishing features are the leaves that grow

opposite in two rows at right angles to the stem, white flowers that grow in panicles, and small abundant fruit that range from green in summer to almost black in the fall. O 

### Spreads by abundant bird and animal dispersal and root sprouts O 

### Privet is shade tolerant and forms dense thickets particularly in bottomlands and along fencerows and rights-of-way. O 

### Very few plants are found growing beneath thick stands of privet. 

# Chinese Privet Ligustrum sinense Lour.



# Multiflora Rose Rosa multiflora Thumb.ex Murr.
O 

### Introduced from Asia and planted as an ornamental, as living

fences for livestock containment and for wildlife habitat. O 

### Deciduous climbing, arching and or trailing shrubs that grow to 10 feet in height. O 

### Distinguishing features are the clustered

white flowers with yellow anthers, pinnately compound leaves, sharp thorns and red rose hips in the fall. O 

### Spreads by rooting stems, sprouts and seed dispersal by

animals. O 

### Forms small-to-large infestations that often climb trees. Thickets exclude other

desirable plant species and hinder site management. 

# Japanese Honeysuckle Lonicera japonica Thunb. O 

### Introduced from Japan in the 1800’s and

planted as an ornamental and as deer browse. O 

### Our most commonly occurring invasive

plant. O 

### Semi-evergreen to evergreen woody vine

that is high climbing and trailing to 80 feet. O 

### Distinguishing features include sweet, fragrant

flowers, brown hairy stem that is fissured andsloughing with age, and green or black sphereshaped berries. O 

### Spreads by rooting at vine nodes and animal

dispersal of seed. O 

### Overwhelming thickets replace native species on forest margins and rights-of-way,

but is also shade tolerant and can be a problem in understories. 

# Kudzu Pueraria montana (Lour.) Merr. var. lobata (Willd.) Maesen & S. M. Almeida O 

### Introduced from China and Japan in the early 1900’s. O 

### Deciduous woody leguminous vine 30 to 100 feet long. O 

### Distinguishing features include three-leaflet leaves, yellow-green stems with erect golden hairs, lavender pea-like flowers, flattened and hairy seed pods. O 

### Colonizes by vines rooting at nodes and by wind-, animal-, and water-dispersed seeds. Seed viability is generally low. O 

### Rapid and dense growth completely overwhelms all other plant

species including large trees. Must have direct sunlight for rapid growth. Ted Bodner, Southern Weed Science Society

Ted Bodner, Southern Weed Science Society Chuck Bargeron, University of Georgia

Chuck Bargeron, University of Georgia

James H. Miller, USDA Forest ServiceDavid J. Moorhead, University of GeorgiaTed Bodner, Southern Weed Science Society

James H. Miller, USDA Forest Service James H. Miller, USDA Forest Service