Invasive Non-Natives
Bermuda Grass
The following list of non-native invasive plant species was generated with the input of the Arkansas Native Plant Society and was compiled by Jude Jardine and Theo Witsell. It is the latest iteration of a working list and should not be considered comprehensive or officially endorsed. All species on the list have been observed to be aggressively spreading outside of cultivation and colonizing natural areas, apparently without human help. All are considered to be introduced to Arkansas with the exception of Baccharis halimifolia which is likely native to some areas of southeast Arkansas but is rapidly expanding its range north and west. It is included because it is viewed by many field botanists as a potential threat to native species and communities.
Suggested additions and correspondence regarding the list should be directed to Jude Jardine: jardinejk@earthlink.netor Theo Witsell: theo@arkansasheritage.org.
Working List of Non-native Invasive Plant Species of Concern to Natural Areas in Arkansas – compiled by the Arkansas Native Plant Society
Scientific name Common name
Ailanthus altissima tree-of-heaven
Albizia julibrissin silktree, mimosa
Alliaria petiolata garlic mustard
Alternanthera philoxeroides (& A. sessilis) alligator weed
Ampelopsis brevipedunculata porcelainberry
Baccharis halimifolia saltbush
Bothriochloa bladhii Caucasian bluestem
Bromus sterilis(& B. tectorum) cheatgrass
Carduus nutans nodding thistle
Celastrus orbiculatus Oriental bittersweet
Centaurea beibersteinii spotted knapweed
Cynodon dactylon * Bermuda grass
Echinochloa crusgalli barnyard grass
Eichornia crassipes water hyacinth
Elaeagnus spp. autumn/thorny olive
Eragrostis curvula weeping lovegrass
Euonymus fortunei creeping euonymus
Festuca arundinacea tall fescue
Hedera helix English ivy
Holcus lanatus velvet grass
Hydrilla verticillata hydrilla
Lespedeza bicolor shrubby lespedeza
Lespedeza cuneata sericea lespedeza
Ligustrum sinense (& L. lucidum) Chinese privet
Lonicera japonica Japanese honeysuckle
Lonicera maackii(& L. fragrantissima & L. morrowii) bush honeysuckle
Lygodium japonicum Japanese climbing fern
Lythrum salicaria purple loosestrife
Melia azedarach Chinaberry tree
Melilotus alba(& M. officinalis) sweetclover
Microstegium vimineum Japanese stiltgrass
Murdannia keisak Asian spiderwort
Myriophyllum spicatum Eurasian water milfoil
Nandina domestica heavenly bamboo, nandina
Paulownia tomentosa princess tree
Photinia serrulata redtip photinia
Phragmites australis giant reed
Poncirus trifoliata trifoliate orange
Pueraria montana kudzu
Pyrus calleryana callery pear
Rhamnus cathartica common buckthorn
Rosa multiflora multiflora rose
Sapium sebiferum Chinese tallowtree
Sorghum halapense Johnson grass
Sphenoclea zeylandica chicken spike
Vinca major (& V. minor) periwinkle
Wisteria sinense (& W. floribunda) Asian wisteria
Watch List (species to watch for in Arkansas – known to be problematic in neighboring states)
Scientific name Common name
Imperata cylindrica cogongrass
Salvinia molesta giant water spangles
Solanum viarum tropical soda apple
* = suitable for maintained plantings in urban areas
Suggested additions and correspondence regarding the list should be directed to Jude Jardine: jardinejk@earthlink.netor Theo Witsell: theo@arkansasheritage.org.
Working List of Non-native Invasive Plant Species of Concern to Natural Areas in Arkansas – compiled by the Arkansas Native Plant Society
Scientific name Common name
Ailanthus altissima tree-of-heaven
Albizia julibrissin silktree, mimosa
Alliaria petiolata garlic mustard
Alternanthera philoxeroides (& A. sessilis) alligator weed
Ampelopsis brevipedunculata porcelainberry
Baccharis halimifolia saltbush
Bothriochloa bladhii Caucasian bluestem
Bromus sterilis(& B. tectorum) cheatgrass
Carduus nutans nodding thistle
Celastrus orbiculatus Oriental bittersweet
Centaurea beibersteinii spotted knapweed
Cynodon dactylon * Bermuda grass
Echinochloa crusgalli barnyard grass
Eichornia crassipes water hyacinth
Elaeagnus spp. autumn/thorny olive
Eragrostis curvula weeping lovegrass
Euonymus fortunei creeping euonymus
Festuca arundinacea tall fescue
Hedera helix English ivy
Holcus lanatus velvet grass
Hydrilla verticillata hydrilla
Lespedeza bicolor shrubby lespedeza
Lespedeza cuneata sericea lespedeza
Ligustrum sinense (& L. lucidum) Chinese privet
Lonicera japonica Japanese honeysuckle
Lonicera maackii(& L. fragrantissima & L. morrowii) bush honeysuckle
Lygodium japonicum Japanese climbing fern
Lythrum salicaria purple loosestrife
Melia azedarach Chinaberry tree
Melilotus alba(& M. officinalis) sweetclover
Microstegium vimineum Japanese stiltgrass
Murdannia keisak Asian spiderwort
Myriophyllum spicatum Eurasian water milfoil
Nandina domestica heavenly bamboo, nandina
Paulownia tomentosa princess tree
Photinia serrulata redtip photinia
Phragmites australis giant reed
Poncirus trifoliata trifoliate orange
Pueraria montana kudzu
Pyrus calleryana callery pear
Rhamnus cathartica common buckthorn
Rosa multiflora multiflora rose
Sapium sebiferum Chinese tallowtree
Sorghum halapense Johnson grass
Sphenoclea zeylandica chicken spike
Vinca major (& V. minor) periwinkle
Wisteria sinense (& W. floribunda) Asian wisteria
Watch List (species to watch for in Arkansas – known to be problematic in neighboring states)
Scientific name Common name
Imperata cylindrica cogongrass
Salvinia molesta giant water spangles
Solanum viarum tropical soda apple
* = suitable for maintained plantings in urban areas
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