Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area) Early Detection Rapid Response Priority Species List 2010

Heartland CISMA (Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area) Early Detection Rapid Response priority species list 2010

Established by the HCISMA EDRR committee: Keeli Carlton (Polk County Environmental Lands Program), Erik Egensteiner (Florida Park Service), Ryan Graham (The Nature Conservancy), Carrie Kotal (Florida Division of Forestry), Cheryl Millett (The Nature Conservancy), Clarence Morgan (Avon Park Air Force Range), Bob Nelson (The Nature Conservancy), Debi Tharp (The Nature Conservancy), Katrina Noland (Bok Tower Gardens).

To be reviewed every two years. For comments or questions, contact: Cheryl Millett, [email protected], 863-635-7506.

NandinaNandina domestica domestica nandinanandinaNandinaNandina domestica domestica nandinanandina

Appearance:Appearance:EvergreenEvergreen glabrous shrubglabrous to 1.8 shrub m (6to ft) 1.8 tall, m (6 ft) tall, growing ingrowing multistemmed in multistemmed clumps. Survives clumps. winter Survives season winter season via rhizomes.via rhizomes. Leaves: Alternate,Leaves: Alternate,large, 2–3 large, times 2–3oddpinnately times oddpinnately com- com- pound, usuallypound, with usually 3 primary with 3divisions primary fromdivisions petiole, from petiole, having a somewhathaving a somewhat lacy appearance lacy appearance and turning and red turning in cool red in cool season. Leafletsseason. 2–6Leaflets cm (1–2 2–6 in) cm long, (1–2 narrowlyin) long, ovatenarrowly to ovate to lanceolate,lanceolate, tips with longtips withacute long taper, acute upper taper, surfaces upper dark surfaces dark green (in growinggreen (in season) growing with season) a slight with sheen a slight or glow.sheen or glow. Flowers: Flowers:Small, bisexual,Small, withbisexual, petaloid with parts petaloid pinkish parts white pinkish white and anthersand yellow. anthers yellow. Fruit: A brightFruit: red,A bright 2-seeded red, globose2-seeded berry, globose 6–12 berry, mm 6–12 mm (0.25–0.5 (0.25–0.5in) in diameter. in) in diameter.

EcologicalEcological threat: threat: Forms denseForms groves dense displacing groves displacing native vegetation,native vegetation, including including the Florida-endangeredthe Florida-endangered red red columbinecolumbine and the rare and (in the rare (in the wild) oak-leafthe wild) hydrangea. oak-leaf hydrangea. FLEPPC CategoryFLEPPC ICategory I

Distribution:Distribution: NW, NE, C, NW, SW NE, C, SW

Field NotationsField Notations Field NotationsField Notations

NANDDOME/NADONANDDOME/NADO

http://plants.ifas.ufl.eduhttp://plants.ifas.ufl.edu http://plants.ifas.ufl.eduhttp://plants.ifas.ufl.edu Nandina domestica, sacred bamboo/heavenly bamboo treatment from UF/IFAS management plan:

MANAGEMENT Preventative: The first step in preventative control of nandina is to limit planting and remove of existing plants within the landscape. If possible, removal should occur before seeds are produced. Since seeds remain on the plant for several months, care must be exercised to prevent seed spread and dispersal during the removal process. Cultural: Plant native or non-invasive alternatives. Inform the public to refrain from purchasing, propagating, or planting nandina due to its ability to escape from cultivation. Mechanical: Hand pull smaller infestations careful to remove all fragments of root to prevent reinfestation. Frequent mowing will be effective but the plant may continue to spread via underground runners. Biological: There are no known biological control agents for nandina. Chemical: There is limited research in this area. Spot treatments of glyphosate or triclopyr (1% solution with 0.25% surfactant) are the best alternatives to date.

MelaleucaMelaleuca quinquenervia quinquenerviamelaleucamelaleucaMelaleucaMelaleuca quinquenervia quinquenerviamelaleucamelaleuca

Appearance:Appearance:EvergreenEvergreen tree to 33 tree m (100 to 33 ft) m tall, (100 with ft) atall, with a slender crownslender and crown soft, whitish,and soft, many-layered, whitish, many-layered, peeling peeling P P bark. bark. Leaves: Alternate,Leaves: Alternate,simple, grayish simple, green, grayish narrowly green, narrowly lance shaped;lance to shaped; 10 cm (4to in)10 longcm (4 and in) 2long cm and(0.75 2 in)cm wide, (0.75 in) wide, with a smellwith of acamphor smell of whencamphor crushed. when crushed. Flowers: Flowers:Creamy whiteCreamy “bottle white brush” “bottle spikes brush” to 16spikes cm to 16 cm (6 in) long.(6 in) long. Fruit: A round,Fruit: woodyA round, capsule, woody about capsule, 3 mm about (0.12 3 mmin) wide, (0.12 in) wide, in clustersin surrounding clusters surrounding young stems, young each stems, capsule each holding capsule holding 200–300 tiny200–300 seeds. tiny seeds.

EcologicalEcological threat: threat: Grows extremelyGrows extremely fast, producing fast, producing dense standsdense that stands displace that native displace native plants, diminishplants, animaldiminish habitat, animal habitat, and provideand little provide food littlefor wildlife. food for wildlife. Has becomeHas abundant become abundantin pine in pine flatwoods,flatwoods, sawgrass sawgrassmarshes, andmarshes, and cypress swampscypress of swamps south Florida. of south Florida. FLEPPC CategoryFLEPPC ICategory I

Distribution:Distribution: C, SW, SE C, SW, SE

Field NotationsField Notations

MELAQUIN/MEQUMELAQUIN/MEQU

http://plants.ifas.ufl.eduhttp://plants.ifas.ufl.edu Melaleuca quinquenervia, paperbark treatment from UF/IFAS TAME Melaleuca website:

Foliar applications for melaleuca control are mainly used for treating sapling trees (less than four feet tall) that cannot be hand-pulled and for large-area applications to mature trees where little non-target vegetation exists. Saplings are treated with herbicide diluted in water as a low volume application, using a backpack or hand-held equipment, with one of the following: 1) Glyphosate solution equivalent to 5% product that contains 3-4 lb per gallon glyphosate acid and 1% imazapyr product that contains 2 lb imazapyr acid per gallon, or 2) 3% glyphosate product solution plus 3% imazapyr product solution. Surfactant must be added to the spray mixture if it is not already contained in the products used. Solution containing 5% glyphosate product and surfactant alone can be used, but some re-sprouting may occur that will require follow-up treatment. Surfactant products that contain methylated seed oil are most effective.

For broadcast applications to control large areas of mature trees, 3 lb glyphosate acid per acre plus 1.5 lb imazapyr acid per acre (e.g. 6 pints Rodeo + 6 pints Habitat), plus methylated seed oil surfactant are applied by helicopter. For complete coverage, the application is made in at least two overlapped passes in opposite directions with 20 gallons per acre (GPA) total volume (10 GPA each pass). Nozzles with small orifices (0.020-0.030) are recommended for best coverage.

Frill and girdle applications are used for outlier trees or for large stands where aerial application is not desirable. It is much more labor intensive than aerial application but non-target damage is minimal compared to aerial application. A machete is used to cut through the bark deep enough to expose the living tissue just inside the bark (cambium layer) (Figure 1). Cuts are made in a downward direction so that the severed bark is left to contain the herbicide mixture. Herbicide solution (diluted in water) of 25% product that contains 3-4 lb per gallon glyphosate acid and 25% imazapyr product that contains 2 lb imazapyr acid per gallon (Habitat or Arsenal) is applied to the girdle in sufficient quantity to thoroughly wet the tissue. A hand-held spray bottle is usually used to apply the herbicide (Figure 2). Damage to non-target vegetation can occur if the imazapyr is washed from the girdle to the soil. A solution of 50-100% glyphosate product alone can be used but tree mortality may be consistent. A solution of 10% imazapyr-containing product and 50% glyphosate-containing product can also be used to reduce non-target damage.

Cut stump application is the most labor intensive application method and is only used when it is not desirable, for reasons of safety or aesthetics, to leave dead trees standing. Trees, depending on size, are felled with a brush lopper, hand-saw, or chain saw as close to the ground as possible and as level as possible. Herbicide will tend to run off of slanting cuts made with a machete, and mortality will be less consistent. Sawdust, which can adsorb herbicide and prevent it from entering the stump, should be brushed from the cut surface before applying herbicide. Herbicide solution should be concentrated just inside the bark, where the living tissue of the tree is located. A 10-25% solution of product that contains 2 lb imazapyr acid per gallon (Habitat or Arsenal) is most often used. A 50% solution or 100% of product that contains 3-4 lb per gallon glyphosate acid is also effective and can be used to minimize potential of non-target damage. Herbicide solution should be applied as soon as possible after cutting. Hand-held spray bottles or dropper bottles (Figure 3) can be used to apply the herbicide solution. Dropper bottles are very effective for concentrating the herbicide solution to the cambium area. If stumps are not cut close to the ground, re-sprouting is more likely to occur, especially following glyphosate applications. Triclopyr products are less consistent than those that contain glyphosate or imazapyr and are only recommended as an alternative to howeowners with a small number of trees, because these products are available in retail garden supplies in small quantities.

Basal (soil) applications of 4 lb hexazinone active ingredient per acre are applied for melaleuca control. Liquid (Velpar L) and dry flowable (Velpar DF) products are applied by helicopter for large area treatments. These applications could be considered as foliar applications because the herbicide is applied over the tree canopy and foliage but is described here because herbicidal activity probably occurs after the herbicide reaches the soil and is taken up by roots. Granular hexazinone (Velpar ULW) is applied with ground equipment using a specialized blower.

Biocontrol: To order biological control insects from the Institute for Food and Agricultural Sciences, copy the form on the next page, fill out the form, include a check for the proper shipping and handling fee, then mail the form and check to the address on the form. The form is also available online at: http://tame.ifas.ufl.edu/html/faq.php. The melaleuca biological control agents you receive will depend on seasonal availability. Psyllids are typically available year-round while weevils tend to be available seasonally. One order should be adequate to inoculate a ¼ acre site. Evidence of the establishment of your agents should be noticeable in approximately 6 months after the initial inoculation. Once the agents have established a viable population at the inoculation site, they should be able to spread to adjoining sites on their own. These agents are designed to be part of an integrated pest management program and should offer partial control of your melaleuca. ($20 S&H or if want to pick up at St. Lucie, no charge) PuerariaPueraria montana montana kudzu kudzuPuerariaPueraria montana montana kudzu kudzu

Appearance:Appearance:High-climbing,High-climbing, trailing, twining trailing, deciduous twining deciduous woody vine;woody tuberous vine; rootstuberous and rootsrope-like, and rope-like,dark brown dark brown stems to 20stems m (65 to ft)20 long;m (65 herbaceous ft) long; herbaceous stems markedly stems markedly hairy. hairy. Leaves: Alternate,Leaves: Alternate,long petioled, long withpetioled, 3 leaflets with 3(trifolio- leaflets (trifolio- late); leafletslate); dark leaflets green, dark hairy green, on bothhairy surfaces, on both tosurfaces, 15 cm to 15 cm (5.4 in) long;(5.4 lateral in) long; leaflets lateral unequal leaflets atunequal base, 1-at orbase, 2-lobed; 1- or 2-lobed; terminal leafletterminal usually leaflet equal usually at baseequal and at 3-lobed.base and 3-lobed. Flowers: Flowers:Pea-like, reddish-purple,Pea-like, reddish-purple, fragrant; 2–2.5fragrant; cm 2–2.5 cm (0.7–0.9 in)(0.7–0.9 across, in) in across,short-stalked, in short-stalked, elongate clusterselongate at clusters at leaf axils, leafto 20 axils, cm (7to in)20 long.cm (7 in) long. Fruit: A darkFruit: brownA dark pod, brown flat pod,but bulgingflat but over bulging seeds; over seeds; densely covereddensely in covered long golden-brown in long golden-brown hairs, to 8 hairs, cm (3 to in) 8 cm (3 in) long and 0.8long cm and (0.3 0.8 in) cm wide. (0.3 in) wide.

EcologicalEcological threat: threat: Forms largeForms impenetrable large impenetrable masses, growingmasses, over growing woody over woody vegetationvegetation and able toand com- able to completely engulfpletely unwooded engulf unwooded areas. areas. Can completelyCan completely envelop a enveloptree, a tree, killing it bykilling shutting it by out shutting all out all light. FLEPPClight. Category FLEPPC ICategory I Distribution:Distribution: NW, NE, C, NW, SW, NE, SE C, SW, SE

Field NotationsField Notations Field NotationsField Notations

PUERMONT/PUMOPUERMONT/PUMO

http://plants.ifas.ufl.eduhttp://plants.ifas.ufl.edu http://plants.ifas.ufl.eduhttp://plants.ifas.ufl.edu Pueraria montana var. lobata, kudzu from UF/IFAS Management Plan:

MANAGEMENT

Preventative: Total eradication of kudzu is necessary to prevent re-growth. This requires continuous monitoring and thoroughness when treating. To prevent reestablishment, replanting after treatment is critical. Prevent the production of viable seed and destroy the plant's ability to reproduce vegetatively.

Cultural: Young colonies can be eradicated in three to four years if plants are overgrazed or persistently cut back repeatedly during the hottest temperatures of summer. Close grazing for three to four years can totally eliminate kudzu when at least 80% of the vegetative growth is continuously removed by livestock. An old rule of thumb is 8 goats per acre stocking rate for kudzu control.

Mechanical: The massive root system and crowns must be destroyed for long term control of kudzu. Cut vines just above ground level and destroy all cut material. Close mowing every month for two growing seasons or repeated cultivation may be effective. Pre-burning, cutting, hand digging and disking will weaken the roots and aid in control when used in conjunction with herbicides.

Biological: Biological control agents are being investigated, but the recent introduction of Asian soybean rust is thought to be very devastating to kudzu.

Chemical: Glyphosate, chlopyralid (Transline), metsulfuron (Escort) and aminopyralid (Milestone VM) can be used to control kudzu. Follow label directions and precautions. Glyphosate (5% solution) can be an effective option for small stands growing up poles or fences in residential areas. However, glyphosate is weak on kudzu and repeat applications will be necessary. Likewise, clopyralid (Transline) is effective on young stands were kudzu is not well established. Clopyralid (21 fl. oz/A or 0.5% solution) is more effective than glyphosate and is safe to apply near trees, but can only be used in selected north Florida counties (see Transline label for specifications). Metsulfuron (Escort 4 oz/A) and aminopyralid (Milestone VM 7 fl. oz/A) are highly effective on kudzu and commonly approach 100% control. Metsulfuron may cause damage to selected hardwoods if applied over the rootzone.

LigustrumLigustrum sinense sinense ChineseChinese privet privetLigustrumLigustrum sinense sinense ChineseChinese privet privet

Appearance:Appearance:Semi-deciduousSemi-deciduous shrub or smallshrub tree or small to 4 mtree to 4 m (12 ft) tall(12 or more;ft) tall twigsor more; densely twigs pubescent. densely pubescent. Leaves: Opposite,Leaves: Opposite,simple (on simple long twigs, (on long at firsttwigs, glance, at first glance, may appearmay compound); appear compound); all green (inall cultivationgreen (in cultivation usually usually variegated,variegated, cream-white cream-white and green); and leaf green); blades leaf to blades4 cm to 4 cm (1.5 in) long(1.5 and in) 2long cm and(0.75 2 in)cm wide, (0.75 ellipticin) wide, to ellipticelliptic- to elliptic- oblong, withoblong, tips blunt,with tips margins blunt, entire, margins and entire, pubescence and pubescence persistentpersistent on midvein on below; midvein petioles below; short, petioles pubescent. short, pubescent. Flowers: Flowers:Many smallMany white small blooms white on blooms slender on pubescent slender pubescent stalks in narrow,stalks in conical narrow, tufts, conical located tufts, at located the terminal at the end terminal end of branchlets;of branchlets; somewhat somewhat unpleasantly unpleasantly fragrant. fragrant. Fruit: DarkFruit: blue Darkor bluish-black blue or bluish-black drupes, ellipsoid drupes, to ellipsoid to subglobose,subglobose, mostly 4–5 mostly mm (0.2 4–5 in) mm long. (0.2 in) long. EcologicalEcological threat: threat: Occurs in Occursopen disturbed in open disturbedareas, areas, but also invadesbut also less invades disturbed less disturbed upland hammocks,upland hammocks, pinelands, pinelands, river and streamriver and floodplains, stream floodplains, lake shores,lake and shores, edges and of edges of swamps andswamps marshes. and Hasmarshes. Has moved intomoved undisturbed into undisturbed relict relict slope hammock,slope hammock, threatening threatening to displaceto the displace globally the globally endangeredendangered Miccosukee Miccosukee gooseberry.gooseberry. FLEPPC Category FLEPPC ICategory I Distribution:Distribution: NW, NE, C, NW, SW, NE, SE C, SW, SE

Field NotationsField Notations Field NotationsField Notations

LIGUSINE/LISILIGUSINE/LISI

http://plants.ifas.ufl.eduhttp://plants.ifas.ufl.edu http://plants.ifas.ufl.eduhttp://plants.ifas.ufl.edu Ligustrum sinense, Chinese privet treatment, UF/IFAS Management Plan:

MANAGEMENT

Ligustrum spp. control methods include mechanical controls such as mowing and cutting, physical control such as seedling removal and burning, and chemical control such as herbicide application. Herbicide control measures include foliar spraying in late autumn or early spring with glyphosate, triclopyr, or metsulfuron; cut stump applications using glyphosate or triclopyr; and basal bark applications of triclopyr.

Preventative: The first step in preventative control of privet is to limit planting and removal of existing plants within the landscape. If possible, removal should occur before seeds are produced. Since seeds remain on the plant for several months, care must be exercised to prevent seed spread and dispersal during the removal process.

Cultural: Plant native or non-invasive alternatives. Avoid large disturbances that allow for invasive species to colonize.

Mechanical: For smaller infestations or areas where herbicide applications are not feasible mowing and cutting are appropriate. Stems should be cut as close to the ground as possible at least once per growing season. Mowing and cutting will not eradicate Ligustrum spp., but it will provide some level of management. Continuous mowing will work, but frequency is key.

Physical: Hand pull young seedlings and small plants. Larger plants may need to be dug out. Plants should be pulled as soon as possible, before they produce seeds. The entire root must be removed to prevent resprouting.

Biological: Ligustrum spp. has no known biological control agents.

Chemical: Foliar applications of glyphosate or cut-stump applications of triclopyr or glyphosate are effective. Stems <0.5 inch diameter are susceptible to basal bark applications of 20% triclopyr-ester (Remedy) in oil. Larger stems must be notched or frilled.

Foliar sprays are effective for dense thickets of Ligustrum. Care must be taken to avoid non- target plants. The ideal time to treat is while plants are in leaf in late autumn or early winter but when many native species are dormant. Triclopyr at 1-2 quarts broadcast rate per acre or 2% solution is recommended. Glyphosate at 5% solution is often the most effective foliar option.

The cut stump method should be considered when treating individual shrubs. Immediately after cutting stems at or near ground level, apply a 25% solution of glyphosate and water or triclopyr and water to the cut stump, being careful to cover the entire surface. Effectiveness of the herbicide is increased if holes are cut in the top of the freshly felled stump.

The basal bark method consists of a mixture of 25% triclopyr and 75% basal oil applied to the basal parts of the shrub to a height of 12 to 15 inches from the ground. Thorough wetting is necessary for good control; spray until run-off is noticeable at the ground line. Basal applications are effective, but achieving thorough coverage on all the available stems can be difficult. TradescantiaTradescantia spathacea spathaceaoyster plantoyster plantTradescantiaTradescantia spathacea spathaceaoyster plantoyster plant

Appearance:Appearance:Perennial herbPerennial with herbshort, with stout short, stem stout stem nearly hiddennearly by hidden overlapping by overlapping leaf bases. leaf Forms bases. clumps Forms by clumps by offshootsoffshoots from fleshy from rootstock. fleshy rootstock. Leaves: Spreading-erect,Leaves: Spreading-erect, closely overlapping closely overlapping in spiral in spiral pattern. Bladespattern. broadly Blades linear, broadly sharp-tipped, linear, sharp-tipped, waxy, stiff, waxy, stiff, somewhatsomewhat fleshy, 15–30 fleshy, cm 15–30(6–12 in)cm long(6–12 and in) long2.5–8 andcm 2.5–8 cm (1–3 in) wide;(1–3 upperin) wide; surfaces upper dark surfaces green dark or green green with or green pale with pale yellow stripes;yellow lower stripes; surfaces lower usually surfaces purple. usually purple. Flowers: Flowers:Small, white,Small, clustered white, clusteredwithin a folded, within boat-a folded, boat- shaped bractshaped (spathe) bract 3–4 (spathe) cm long, 3–4 short-stalkedcm long, short-stalked from leaf from leaf axils. Threeaxils. petals, Three 6 stamenspetals, 6 with stamens hairy with stalks. hairy stalks. Fruit: A 2-seededFruit: A capsule,2-seeded in capsule, clusters in within clusters the within bract. the bract.

EcologicalEcological threat: threat: Forms denseForms ground dense cover ground and cover and clumps quickly.clumps Has quickly. escaped Has escaped into coastalinto tropical coastal hammocks, tropical hammocks, where thewhere dense thecover dense pre- cover pre- vents seedlingvents growth seedling of growth native of native canopy treecanopy species. tree species. FLEPPC CategoryFLEPPC ICategory I

Distribution:Distribution: SW, SE SW, SE

Field NotationsField Notations Field NotationsField Notations

TRADSPAT/TRSP8TRADSPAT/TRSP8

http://plants.ifas.ufl.eduhttp://plants.ifas.ufl.edu http://plants.ifas.ufl.eduhttp://plants.ifas.ufl.edu Tradescantia spathacea, wandering Jew/oyster plant/ boat lily treatment, Global Invasive Species Database website:

Management Information

Preventative measures: Plant cuttings should not be dumped anywhere as this is a frequent source of new weed infestations. The origin of new top soil or fill should be checked as physical transportation of plant segments in soil is a major method of spread.

SansevieriaSansevieria hyacinthoides hyacinthoidesbowstringbowstring hemp hempSansevieriaSansevieria hyacinthoides hyacinthoidesbowstringbowstring hemp hemp

Appearance:Appearance:Erect, herbaceousErect, herbaceous perennial; perennial; grows from grows from thick rhizomes,thick rhizomes, to 1 m (3.3 to ft) 1 mtall. (3.3 ft) tall. Leaves: Basal,Leaves: tufted,Basal, flat, tufted, erect, flat, waxy, erect, thick, waxy, 0.4–1 thick, m 0.4–1 m (1–3 ft) long;(1–3 mottled ft) long; with mottled light- with and light-dark-green and dark-green cross cross bands, marginsbands, yellowish margins yellowishto orange-red. to orange-red. Flowers: Flowers:Greenish-white;Greenish-white; about 4 mm about (0.02 4 mmin) long; (0.02 in) long; in a cylindricalin a cylindrical spike-like spike-likeraceme. raceme. Fruit: A roundish,Fruit: A roundish,fleshy berry, fleshy to 8 berry,mm (0.3to 8in) mm in (0.3 in) in diameter; diameter;red. red.

EcologicalEcological threat: threat: FLEPPC CategoryFLEPPC IICategory – Invasive II – Invasive exotics thatexotics have thatincreased have increasedin in abundanceabundance or frequency or frequency but but have not yethave altered not yet Florida altered Florida plant communitiesplant communities to the to the extent shownextent by shownCategory by ICategory I species. species.

Distribution:Distribution: C, SW, SE C, SW, SE

Field NotationsField Notations Field NotationsField Notations

SANSHYAC/SAHY2SANSHYAC/SAHY2

http://plants.ifas.ufl.eduhttp://plants.ifas.ufl.edu http://plants.ifas.ufl.eduhttp://plants.ifas.ufl.edu Sansevieria hyacinthoides, mother-in-law's tongue, bowstring hemp treatment info:

None available. Hand removal.

RhodomyrtusRhodomyrtus tomentosa tomentosadowny rose-myrtledowny rose-myrtleRhodomyrtusRhodomyrtus tomentosa tomentosadowny rose-myrtledowny rose-myrtle

Appearance:Appearance:EvergreenEvergreen shrub to 2 shrub m (6 toft) 2tall, m (6with ft) dense,tall, with dense, short, softshort, hairs softon young hairs onstems. young stems. Leaves: Opposite,Leaves: Opposite,simple, entire, simple, elliptic-oval, entire, elliptic-oval, to 7 cm to 7 cm (3 in) long;(3 glossy in) long; green glossy above, green densely above, soft-hairy densely soft-hairybelow below (tomentose)(tomentose) with 3 main with veins 3 main from veins blade from base. blade base. Flowers: Flowers:Rose-pink,Rose-pink, to 2.5 cm to(1 2.5in) across,cm (1 in) in across,one- to in one- to few-floweredfew-flowered clusters at clusters leaf axils; at leaf5 sepals, axils; hairy;5 sepals, 5 petals; hairy; 5 petals; many stamens,many withstamens, pink withfilaments. pink filaments. Fruit: A globose,Fruit: A few-seededglobose, few-seeded berry to 1.3 berry cm to(0.5 1.3 in) cm (0.5 in) across; darkacross; purple, dark with purple, sweet, with aromatic sweet, flesh.aromatic flesh.

EcologicalEcological threat: threat: Readily invadesReadily pinelands, invades pinelands, displacingdisplacing native vegetation native vegetation with densewith one-species dense one-species thickets inthickets the understory. in the understory. ThreatensThreatens to become to worse become worse than Brazilianthan pepperBrazilian in peppercentral in central Florida. FLEPPCFlorida. Category FLEPPC ICategory I

Distribution:Distribution: C, SW, SE C, SW, SE

Field NotationsField Notations Field NotationsField Notations

RHODTOME/RHTORHODTOME/RHTO

http://plants.ifas.ufl.eduhttp://plants.ifas.ufl.edu http://plants.ifas.ufl.eduhttp://plants.ifas.ufl.edu Rhodomyrtus tomentosa, downy rose myrtle treatment, Global Invasive Species Database website and Collier County:

Management information Integrated management: Seedlings can be manually removed. Mature shrubs may be felled using a chainsaw or brush cutter and treating the stumps with a commercial herbicide (Stocker and Possley 2001).

Collier County: Basal bark application of 10%-20% Garlon 4 or Foliar of 6qt per acre of Vanquish (dicamba).

ArdisiaArdisia crenata crenata coral ardisiacoral ardisiaArdisiaArdisia crenata crenata coral ardisiacoral ardisia

Appearance:Appearance:EvergreenEvergreen subshrub subshrubto 1.8 m (6to ft) 1.8 tall m (6 ft) tall growing ingrowing multi-stemmed in multi-stemmed clumps. clumps. Leaves: Alternate,Leaves: Alternate,to 21 cm (8.3to 21 in) cm long, (8.3 dark in) long, green dark green above, waxy,above, glabrous, waxy, glabrous,with crenate with (scalloped) crenate (scalloped) margins margins and callusesand in calluses the margin in the notches. margin notches. Flowers: Flowers:White to pinkWhite in tostalked pink inaxillary stalked clusters, axillary usually clusters, usually drooping belowdrooping the below foliage. the Flowers foliage. small, Flowers bisexual, small, withbisexual, with petaloid partspetaloid pinkish parts white pinkish and white anthers and yellow. anthers yellow. Fruit: BrightFruit: red,Bright spherical red, (globose),spherical (globose), 1-seeded drupe,1-seeded to drupe, to 8 mm (0.338 mmin) in (0.33 diameter. in) in diameter.

EcologicalEcological threat: threat: May reachMay densities reach ofdensities greater of greater than 100 plantsthan 100 per plants m2. per m2. Native plantNative species plant richness species richness substantiallysubstantially lower in its lower in its presence, presence,regardless regardless of its of its density ordensity the site or history. the site history. Shades outShades native out seedlings native seedlings and displacesand displacessmall native small native ground cover.ground cover. FLEPPC CategoryFLEPPC ICategory I

Distribution:Distribution: NW, NE, C, NW, SW NE, C, SW

Field NotationsField Notations

ARDICREN/ARCR80ARDICREN/ARCR80

http://plants.ifas.ufl.eduhttp://plants.ifas.ufl.edu Ardisia crenata, coral ardisia treatment, UF/IFAS Management Plan:

MANAGEMENT

Preventative: The first step in preventative control of ardisia is to limit planting and removal of existing plants within the landscape. If possible, removal should occur before seeds are produced. Since seeds remain on the plant for several months, care must be exercised to prevent seed spread and dispersal during the removal process.

Cultural: Cultural management is difficult once the plant has established, but a healthy ground cover will limit seedling establishment.

Mechanical: Mechanical methods can be grouped into several strategies. With small or isolated infestations, hand-pulling is effective for seedling control. Larger plants can be cut or burned, but regrowth from underground rhizomes and root crowns. Disking can be very effective if the disking operation is frequent and sufficiently deep to cut the rhizome/rootstocks. However, the use of disking is very limited due to the type of areas that ardisia is most problematic – woodlands. It must also be noted that any type of mechanical operation, whether it be disking or burning, should be monitored for at least one year to inspect and remove seedlings and/or resprouts.

Biological: There are no known biological control agents for ardisia.

Chemical: In areas with a dense groundcover of seedlings, a broadcast spray of a glyphosate or triclopyr-ester may be effective, generally a 2-3% solution. The waxy leaves of ardisia may limit glyphosate uptake, so a surfactant is recommended. Due to the non-selective nature of glyphosate, use precaution to avoid damaging desirable plants. The woody bark of desirable trees may be contacted, but avoid green bark. Triclopyr herbicide is also very effective, especially on larger, more mature specimens. A low-volume basal application mixed with an oil diluent has shown very promising results. Triclopyr applications containing 18% basal oil is effective. Ardisia is also susceptible to 2,4-D, but more so at the seedling stage or regrowth after cutting/burning of mature plants.

PsidiumPsidium cattleianum cattleianumstrawberrystrawberry guava guavaPsidiumPsidium cattleianum cattleianumstrawberrystrawberry guava guava

Appearance:Appearance:EvergreenEvergreen shrub or smallshrub tree or small to 8 mtree (25 to ft) 8 m (25 ft) tall, with graytall, withto reddish-brown gray to reddish-brown peeling bark peeling and youngbark and young branches round,branches pubescent. round, pubescent. Leaves: Opposite,Leaves: Opposite,simple, entire, simple, glabrous, entire, glabrous,elliptic to elliptic to oblong, tooblong, 8 cm (3 to in) 8 long.cm (3 in) long. Flowers: Flowers:To 2.5 cmTo (1.2 2.5 in) cm wide; (1.2 bornein) wide; singly borne at leafsingly axils, at leaf axils, with whitewith petals white and petals a mass and of awhite mass and of white yellow and stamens. yellow stamens. Fruit: A globoseFruit: A berry, globose 3–6 berry, cm (1.2–2.4 3–6 cm in) (1.2–2.4 long, purple- in) long, purple- red, with whitishred, with flesh whitish usually flesh sweet-tasting usually sweet-tasting when ripe; when ripe; seeds numerous.seeds numerous.

EcologicalEcological threat: threat: Forms thicketsForms and thickets shades and out shades out native vegetationnative vegetation in forests in forests and open andwoodlands. open woodlands. Also Also serves as servesa major as host a major for the host for the naturalizednaturalized Caribbean Caribbean fruit fly, fruit fly, which occasionallywhich occasionally spreads spreads to commercialto commercial citrus crops. citrus crops. FLEPPC CategoryFLEPPC ICategory I

Distribution:Distribution: C, SW, SE C, SW, SE

Field NotationsField Notations Field NotationsField Notations

PSIDCATT/PSCAPSIDCATT/PSCA

http://plants.ifas.ufl.eduhttp://plants.ifas.ufl.edu http://plants.ifas.ufl.eduhttp://plants.ifas.ufl.edu Psidium cattleianum, strawberry guava treatment:

MANAGEMENT OPTIONS Because of the huge quantities of seed that are dispersed by feral pigs, another exotic invasive species, feral pig management is a practical and necessary first step in strawberry guava management. Pig control must be followed by manual, mechanical, or chemical control measures. These methods have proven successful when tested on a small scale. Reinfestation by strawberry guava is low in pig-free, intact forests. No biological control agents are currently available for management of strawberry guava.

ArdisiaArdisia elliptica elliptica shoebuttonshoebutton ardisia ardisiaArdisiaArdisia elliptica ellipticashoebuttonshoebutton ardisia ardisia

Appearance:Appearance:Evergreen,Evergreen, glabrous shrubglabrous or smallshrub tree or small to tree to 5 m (17 ft)5 tall,m (17 with ft) smoothtall, with stems smooth and stems new foliageand new often foliage often reddish. reddish. Leaves: Alternate,Leaves: Alternate,to 20 cm (8to in)20 long,cm (8 oblong in) long, to oblongoval, to oval, fleshy, leathery,fleshy, leathery,gland-dotted gland-dotted below, with below, margins with entire.margins entire. Flowers: Flowers:Axillary clusters,Axillary star clusters, shaped, star 13 shaped, mm (0.5 13 in) mm (0.5 in) wide, withwide, mauve-colored with mauve-colored petals. petals. Fruit: RoundedFruit: drupe,Rounded 6 mm drupe, (< 1 6 in) mm wide, (< 1 redin) wide,turning red to turning to black whenblack ripe, when with ripe,white with juicy white flesh. juicy flesh.

EcologicalEcological threat: threat: Abundant Abundantin hammocks, in hammocks, old old fields, disturbedfields, disturbedwetlands, andwetlands, and tree islandstree in islandsmarshes, in form-marshes, form- ing dense ingsingle-species dense single-species stands stands in forest understoriesin forest understories and and crowding crowdingout native out plants. native plants. Also invadingAlso cypressinvading and cypress and mangrovemangrove areas along areas the along the New RiverNew in Broward River in County. Broward County. FLEPPC CategoryFLEPPC ICategory I

Distribution:Distribution: SW, SE SW, SE

Field NotationsField Notations Field NotationsField Notations

ARDIELLI/AREL4ARDIELLI/AREL4

http://plants.ifas.ufl.eduhttp://plants.ifas.ufl.edu http://plants.ifas.ufl.eduhttp://plants.ifas.ufl.edu Ardisia elliptica, shoebutton ardisia treatment, Global Invasive Species Database website:

Management Information

Physical: Hand pull seedlings.

Chemical: "In areas with a dense groundcover of seedlings, a broadcast spray of a glyphosate herbicide is effective, but be careful to avoid damaging desirable plants. Mature specimens should be treated with a basal application of a triclopyhr herbicide mixed with an oil diluent" (Hammer, 1996).

AlbiziaAlbizia lebbeck lebbeck woman’swoman’s tongue tongueAlbiziaAlbizia lebbeck lebbeck woman’swoman’s tongue tongue

Appearance:Appearance:Deciduous,Deciduous, unarmed treeunarmed to 20 tree m (65 to ft)20 tall,m (65 ft) tall, with a rounded,with a spreadingrounded, spreading crown and crown pale bark.and pale bark. Leaves: Alternate,Leaves: Alternate,twice compound, twice compound, with 2–5 pairswith 2–5of pairs of pinnae, eachpinnae, pinna each with pinna 3–10 with pairs 3–10 of leaflets; pairs of leaflets leaflets; leaflets elliptic-oblong,elliptic-oblong, 2–4 cm (1–2 2–4 in) cm long. (1–2 Usually in) long. asymmetrical Usually asymmetrical at base, dullat base,green dull above, green paler above, green paler below. green below. Flowers: Flowers:Mimosa-like,Mimosa-like, in showy, inrounded showy, clusters rounded near clusters near stem tips,stem 5–6 cmtips, (2–2.5 5–6 cm in) (2–2.5across, in) cream across, or yellowish-cream or yellowish- white; eachwhite; flower each with flower numerous with numerouslong stamens. long stamens. Fruit: Flat,Fruit: linearFlat, pod, linear to 30 pod, cm (1to ft)30 long, cm (1 with ft) long, many with many seeds; driedseeds; pods dried persistent pods persistent after leaf-fall, after often leaf-fall, heard often heard rattling inrattling the wind. in the wind.

EcologicalEcological threat: threat: Invading tropicalInvading hammocks tropical hammocks in the Floridain the Keys Florida and theKeys and the somewhatsomewhat disturbed disturbedpinelands pinelands of Evergladesof Everglades National Park. National Park. Also invadingAlso pineinvading rocklands pine rocklands and canopyand gaps canopy in the gaps in the rockland hammocksrockland hammocks in Dade in Dade County. FLEPPCCounty. Category FLEPPC ICategory I

Distribution:Distribution: C, SW, SE C, SW, SE

Field NotationsField Notations Field NotationsField Notations

ALBILEBB/ALLEALBILEBB/ALLE

http://plants.ifas.ufl.eduhttp://plants.ifas.ufl.edu http://plants.ifas.ufl.eduhttp://plants.ifas.ufl.edu Albizia lebbeck, woman’s tongue treatment, Global Invasive Species Database website:

Management information Physical: Seedlings and saplings can be pulled out by hand or dug out. It is recommended to cut larger trees and treat the stumps with herbicide

Chemical: Kline & Duquesnel (1996) recommend the following herbicide treatment and application for effective control of Albizzia lebbeck:

Method: Basal / Herbicide: Garlon 4 / Concentration: 10% / Effectiveness: Good Method: Cut surface / Herbicide: Garlon 4 / Concentration: 10% / Effectiveness: Moderate Method: Cut surface / Herbicide: Garlon 3A / Concentration: 50% / Effectiveness: Moderate .

RuelliaRuellia tweediana tweediana MexicanMexican petunia* petunia*RuelliaRuellia tweediana tweedianaMexicanMexican petunia* petunia*

*Also known*Also as: known Ruellia as: coerulea Ruellia coerulea

Appearance:Appearance:Erect or ascending;Erect or ascending; herbaceous herbaceous (somewhat (somewhat woody) perennialwoody) perennialup to 1m up(3.3 to ft) 1m tall. (3.3 ft) tall. Leaves: Opposite,Leaves: Opposite,linear to linear-elliptic; linear to linear-elliptic; 10–30 cm 10–30 cm (4–11 in) long,(4–11 1 in) cm long, wide; 1 narrowedcm wide; narrowedat base to at a shortbase to a short petiole. petiole. Flowers: Flowers:Bisexual, upBisexual, to 5 cm up (2 to in) 5 across;cm (2 in) five across; fused, five fused, violet-to-purpleviolet-to-purple petals. petals. Fruit: ElongatedFruit: Elongated capsule to capsule 2.5 cm to(1 2.5in) longcm (1 with in) longbrown with brown seeds, 2 mmseeds, (0.8 2 in) mm wide. (0.8 in) wide.

EcologicalEcological threat: threat: FLEPPC CategoryFLEPPC ICategory – Invasive I – Invasive exotics thatexotics are altering that are altering native plantnative communities plant communities by by displacingdisplacing native species, native species, changing changingcommunity community structuresstructures or ecological or ecological functions,functions, or hybridizing or hybridizing with with natives. natives.

Distribution:Distribution: NW, NE, C, NW, SW, NE, SE C, SW, SE

Field NotationsField Notations Field NotationsField Notations

RUELBRIT/RUBRRUELBRIT/RUBR

http://plants.ifas.ufl.eduhttp://plants.ifas.ufl.edu http://plants.ifas.ufl.eduhttp://plants.ifas.ufl.edu Ruellia tweediana, Mexican petunia treatment, UF/IFAS Management Plan:

MANAGEMENT

Preventative: Regular monitoring and rouging of plants can prevent the spread and establishment of Mexican petunia. Programs to educate homeowners on alternative plants to Mexican petunia in landscape settings will also reduce the spread of this species.

Cultural: Native alternatives to Mexican petunia for use in home landscaping include wild petunia (Ruellia caroliniensis), blue curls (Trichostema dichotomum), butterflyweed (Asclepias tuberosa), or swamp milkweed (Asclepias perennis).

Mechanical: Hand-pulling and removal of entire plants is practical for small infestations. Aggressive tillage and mowing is effective, but impractical in many situations. Germination from seeds after tillage is likely, so follow-up control will be necessary.

Biological: There are no known biological agents for Mexican petunia.

Chemical: Timing of application is critical to effectiveness. Foliar applications of glyphosate (1- 2%) or cut back plants then treat with glyphosate. Evaluations of alternative herbicides for Mexican petunia control are currently being conducted.