-Baxter County Master Gardeners-
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      • Invasive Non-Natives
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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: [email protected]or Theo Witsell:  [email protected]. 
 
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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  • About Master Gardeners
    • National Mission Statement
    • UAEX - Univ of AR Extension Service >
      • Baxter County Extension Office
      • The UA Cooperative Extension Service
      • UAEX Master Gardener Program
    • Baxter County Gov't >
      • County Extension Council
      • County Extension Service
    • Our Structure, Rules & Guidelines >
      • 2023 Organization Chart
      • Bylaws
      • Standing Rules
      • Duties, Projects & Events
      • New Member Orientation
      • Continuing Education & Training
      • Member Status
      • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Events & Outreach
    • Calendar of Events
    • Join Us At Our Meeting
    • Radio Program
    • Annual Plant Sale
    • Spring Seminar
    • Farmers Market
    • Fair Horticulture Room
    • Public Education Booths
    • Hatchery Outdoor Adventure
    • Scholarship
  • Garden Projects
    • Fairgrounds Garden
    • Bull Shoals
    • Clysta Willett
    • Cooper Park
    • Fish Hatchery
    • Extension Office
    • Memorial Gardens
    • Library Pollinator Garden
  • Gardening Tips
    • NATIVE PLANTS
    • Seminar 2025
    • Bringing Nature into your Garden >
      • Native Plant Finder (research by Doug Tallamy, PhD)
      • Creating a Landscape With Native Plants
      • Native Drought-Tolerant Plants
      • Well-Behaved Natives
      • Native Alternatives to Invasive Plants
      • Invasive Non-Natives
    • Seminar Horticulture Table
    • DIY Projects
    • Miscellaneous Gardening Projects
  • Members Only
    • Enter Your Hours
    • MG Roster
    • Forms