Lonicera japonica (Japanese honeysuckle) Lonicera japonica is also commonly known as Japanese honeysuckle. This invasive species is native to East Asia but was brought to Florida in 1875 for agricultural and ornamental purposes (MacDonald et al. 2008). Honeysuckle is a member of the Caprifoliaceae family, which consists of common landscape ornamental plants. In addition to […]
Paederia foetida (Skunk vine) Paederia foetida is in the Rubiaceae family and currently on the Florida Noxious Weed List and on the FLEPPC’s Category I list of invasive plants (MacDonald et al. 2008, Wunderlin and Hansen 2008). Native to Eastern and southern Asia, the vine was introduced to Hernando, Florida in 1897 with a prospect […]
Nephrolepis cordifolia (Sword fern) Nephrolepis cordifolia is a member of the Nephrolepidaeae family. Also called sword fern, the plant is considered to be a Category I Invasive Plant Species by the FLEPPC (Florida Exotic Plant Pest Council) (MacDonald et al. 2008, Wunderlin and Hansen 2008). It is present throughout Florida, notably Gainesville south since its […]
Nandina domestica (heavenly bamboo) Nandina domestica, often called heavenly bamboo or just nandina, is on Florida Exotic Plant Council’s Category I invasive species list. It was introduced to the United States in 1804 as an ornamental plant because of its showing fruit and foliage (MacDonald et al. 2008). It has become invasive though because it […]
Lygodium japonicum (Japanese climbing fern) As its name suggests, this member of the Schizaeaceae family was brought to the United States from Japan in 1932 (MacDonald et al. 2008, Wunderlin and Hansen 2008). It is native to Asia and Australia and was introduced into the United States for ornamental purposes. Since its introduction, it has […]
Leucaena leucocephala (Lead tree) Leucaena leucocephala is a member of the Fabaceae family and currently is on Florida’s Category II list of invasive species and is considered a noxious weed in Florida (MacDonald et al. 2008, Wunderlin and Hansen 2008). The lead tree is native to Mexico and Central American. and was introduced to Florida […]
Lantana camara (Lantana) Lantana camara, or simply just called lantana, was introduced to Florida in 1804 as an ornamental plant from the West Indies (MacDonald et al. 2008). This member of the Verbenaceae family is currently listed as a Category I by the Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council (MacDonald et al. 2008, Wunderlin and Hansen […]
Imperata cylindrica (cogongrass) Imperata cylindrica is one of the top ten worst weeds in the world due to its extensive rhizomes, prevalence in poor soils, drought tolerance, genetic plasticity and fire tolerance (Starr et al. 2008). Imperata cylindrical, commonly called cogongrass or japgrass, bloodroot grass and Red Barron, is a member of the Poaceae family […]
Dioscorea bulbifera L. (air-potato Dioscorea bulbifera was introduced in 1905 as a potential agricultural crop and for its medicinal purposes (Invasive Plant Atlas, MacDonald et al. 2008). It is native to Africa, Asia and Australia (Starr et al. 2008). Brought from Africa, D. bulbifera has expanded from its original introduction in Florida. Currently, it […]
Broussonetia papyrifera (Paper mulberry) Broussonetia papyrifera is a member of the Moraceae family and is commonly referred to as paper mulberry (MacDonald et al. 2008). It is not native to Florida and although it was brought to the United States as an ornamental tree, it grows vigorously where it has established in natural communities and […]