Priority Weeds
Watch Weeds - Other Non-Native Species
Invasive (tending to displace, or increase in cover relative to, surrounding vegetation) species are found throughout the Wash. Other non-native species include:
Johnsongrass:
(Sorghum halepense) native of the Mediterranean region
A perennial plant with vigorous rhizomes that can rapidly develop colonies. Johnsongrass is considered one of the 10 most noxious weeds in the world. It is especially troublesome in cotton fields in California and has fast-growing rhizomes that produce new plants.
Weed Wanted Poster and photo courtesy of University of Nevada, Reno Cooperative Extension.
Russian Knapweed:
(Centaurea repens) native of Eurasia
This weed is a member of the sunflower family (Asteraceae), and is an aggressive biennial or short-lived perennial that grows from 1 to 3 feet tall. This species reproduces by seed. Infestations cause soil erosion, decrease biodiversity, and reduce forage for wildlife and livestock on rangelands. It is now widely established in the western U.S. Flowering occurs from June to September.
Weed Wanted Poster and photo courtesy of University of Nevada, Reno Cooperative Extension.
Green Fountain Grass:
(Pennisetum setaceum cupreum) native of Africa
Used primarily for golf courses, fountain grass has been found at the Wash. Fountain grass makes large monocultures (monoculture: a crop or a population of a single kind of organism grown on land), which prevent other plant species from growing within those monocultures. This grass spreads quickly and will carry fire; therefore, it removes native grass/species and then grows rapidly in their place.
Photo courtesy of National Park Service.
Five-Horn Bassia (aka smother weed):
(Bassia hyssopifolia)
This weed is easily transported by using its hooks to grab on to things. It also creates monocultures (similar to those of the fountain grass). It sticks predominantly to road margins and disturbed areas.
Photo courtesy of USGS Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center.
Credits and Links
For more in-depth information on the weeds listed here, and many more, please visit these sites.
Nevada Weed Action Committee, Nevada Department of Agriculture
Clark County Cooperative Weed Management Area
The PLANTS Database, Version 3.5. USDA, NRCS National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge, LA 70874-4490 USA.
"Growing Pains Facts About Weed Invasions in the Western United States," The Bureau of Land Management's Environmental Education
"Partners Against Weeds," Nevada Bureau of Land Management
Weed Wanted Posters, University of Nevada, Reno Cooperative Extension
Wildland Invasive Species Team, The Nature Conservancy
California Exotic Pest Plant Council, dedicated to finding solutions to problems caused by non-native pest plant invasions of the state's natural areas. Lots of great links to other weed resources.
The Return of the Natives - A Cycle of Restoration curriculum is a cooperative effort between the Bureau of Land Management - Ft. Ord Project Office, Return of the Natives - Restoration Education Project at the Watershed Institute CSUMB, and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation to produce a curriculum focusing on restoration of native plants and eradication of invasive weeds.
Weeds Gone Wild, The Plant Conservation Alliance's Alien Plant Working Group
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