Network National Park Service Inventory & Monitoring Division U.S. Department of the Interior INVASIVE GUIDE for National Parks in the Mojave Desert Network

plant pictured: Acroptilon repens 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 centimeters What is an invasive plant and why should we care? Invasive are non-native plants that grow quickly and aggressively, spreading and displacing other plants. They are usually introduced by people, either by accident or on purpose, into a region far from their native habitat. Invasive plants pose one of the greatest threats to park resources. They establish themselves in locations where native plants would normally grow, creating dire conditions for many native species. Invasive plants can steal water and other resources from the native plants and may increase the likelihood of wildfires, often making it more difficult for native plants to survive. This guide is intended to assist in the identification of invasive plants within the national park units of the Mojave Desert Network.

How to use this guide: Each species, color-coded by life-form (g rass, shrub, tree, or forb), is presented on the front and back of a single card, with the scientific and common names located on the top panel. The front side of each card lists distinguishing characteristics with bolded words highlighting traits that are most visible. Corresponding photos are included to aid in identification. The front page also contains a quick reference section listing parks that the species is either known to be found ('Known Parks') or has the potential to be found ('Watch For In'), a figure showing the average height of the plant, and the best time of year to see the plant growing/flowering. The back side of each card has additional photos for further identification, and habitat information indicating where the plant is likely to be found. The 'Don't Confuse' section contains a description and photos of look-alike native species that may be present within the park to help distinguish them from the targeted invasive plants. For a full list of photo credits used in this guide, please visit: http://go.nps.gov/mojn-ipg 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 inches (Achnatherum capense) Watch For In: JOTR Plant: Also called Mediterranean erect growth of A. capense plants Growing Season: steppegrass; erect growth (not usually Winter - Spring clumped) Flowering Times: February - April Stems/Branches: 10-30 cm (4-12 in) long

Leaves: Can be densely hairy, 5-15 cm (2-6 Plant Height 1 in) long, <1.5 mm (<¼ in) wide ~1 ⁄2 ft (0.5 m)

Flowers: Dense flower clusters with long 6 bristles; 3-15 cm (1-6 in) long; bristles bend feet when mature (1.83

Fruit/Seeds: Not used for the identification meters

of grasses within this guide ) Cape ricegrass ( Achnatherum capense) Grass Family - Poaceae Habitat: Disturbed Don’t Confuse With Natives: areas, roadsides, fields Foxtail barley Squirreltail mature, bent bristles (Hordeum jubatum) (Elymus elymoides) of A. capense Loosely clumped growth Densely clumped growth loosely clumped growth densely clumped growth of E. elymoides of H. jubatum

flower of A. capense with long bristles Grass For full list of photo credits, visit: http://go.nps.gov/mojn-ipg Annual Known Parks: (Arundo donax) DEVA, JOTR, LAKE, MOJA Plant: Forms dense stands; turns from green to tan as it dries in fall/winter Growing Season: Spring - Summer Stems/Branches: Erect, smooth stems, 1-4 cm Flowering Times: 1 1 April - July ( ⁄3-1 ⁄2 in) thick

1 Leaves: Up to 0.5 m (1 ⁄2 ft) long & 2.5-5 cm (1-2 in) Plant Height 1 wide; distinct pale green area where leaves attach 13-29 ⁄2 ft to stem (4-9 m)

Flowers: Brown to tan; erect,

1 6 4

feathery clusters 0.3-1 m (1-3 ⁄ ft) feet long of many small flowers (1.83

Fruit/Seeds: Not used for the A. donax stand meters identification of grasses within this guide erect feathery flowers ) Giant Reed ( Arundo donax) Grass Family - Poaceae

Habitat: Disturbed areas, springs, straw colored when dry Don’t Confuse With Native: river banks Common reed (Phragmites australis)

pale green area where nodding flowers of Common Reed leaves attach to stem All parts ~3 times smaller than giant reed; flowers red to tan & drooping (not erect)

Grass For full list of photo credits, visit: http://go.nps.gov/mojn-ipg Perennial Known Parks: (Avena fatua) JOTR, LAKE, MOJA Plant: Erect growth Growing Season: Winter - Summer Stems/Branches: Up to 1.5 m Flowering Times: (~5 ft) long; may have sparse hairs March - June

Plant Height Leaves: 10-45 cm (4-17¾ in) 1-4 ft long & 1.2 cm (½ in) wide (0.3-1.9 m)

7 Flowers: 18-32 mm ( ⁄8-1¾ in) long, drooping; 2-3 slender Wild oat field bristles, each 25-40 mm (1-1.5 in) 6 long feet

short (1.83 hairs Fruit/Seeds: Not used for the identification of grasses

on seeds meters within this guide ) Wild oat ( Avena fatua) Grass Family - Poaceae Habitat: Disturbed areas, roadsides, fields, grassland Don’t Confuse With Native: Native and non-native grasses are difficult to twisting leaves distinguish if flowers are not present.

drooping flowers

flowers with slender bristles

Grass For full list of photo credits, visit: http://go.nps.gov/mojn-ipg Annual Known Parks: (Bromus diandrus) DEVA, JOTR, LAKE, MOJA, PARA Plant: Can form dense stands Growing Season: Winter - Spring Stems/Branches: <80 cm (2½ ft) Flowering Times: long, hairs on lower stems Plant Height

3 5 6 in- ~3 ft Leaves: 3.5-27 cm (1 ⁄8-10 ⁄8 in) long 1 3 (0.2-1 m) & 1-9 mm ( ⁄8- ⁄8 in) wide

Flowers: 13-25 cm (5-10 in) long, drooping; slender bristles extending 1 1

30-55 mm (1 ⁄8-2 ⁄8 in) past flower 6 feet

Fruit/Seeds: Not used for the (1.83 identification of grasses within this guide meters Ripgut brome field on hillside ) Ripgut brome ( Bromus diandrus) Grass Family - Poaceae Habitat: Disturbed areas, roadsides, fields, grassland Don’t Confuse With Native: Native and non-native grasses are difficult to distinguish if flowers are not present.

drooping flowers

long bristles extending from flowers

Grass For full list of photo credits, visit: http://go.nps.gov/mojn-ipg Annual Known Parks: Bromus rubens) DEVA, JOTR, LAKE, MANZ, MOJA, PARA Plant: Usually grows in clumps Growing Season: Winter - Spring Stems/Branches: <50 cm Flowering Times: (19½ in) long, fuzzy hairs on lower February - April stems

4-10 cm (2-4 in) long & Plant Height Leaves: 2 4 in - 1 ⁄3 ft 1 1-4 mm (< ⁄8 in) wide (0.1- 0.5 m)

Flowers: 20-50 mm (¾-2 in) long, 6

arranged in dense clusters; slender feet 1 bristles extending 10-25 mm ( ⁄3-1 in) typical clumped growth of Red brome (1.83 past flower; mature flowers turn red meters Fruit/Seeds: Not used for the identification of grasses within this guide ) Red brome ( Bromus rubens) Grass Family - Poaceae Habitat: Disturbed areas, roadsides, fields Don’t Confuse With Native: flower cluster Native and non-native grasses are difficult to distinguish if flowers are not present. mature flower cluster Red brome in bloom

Grass For full list of photo credits, visit: http://go.nps.gov/mojn-ipg Annual Known Parks: ( Bromus tectorum) DEVA, GRBA, JOTR, LAKE, Cheat grass field Plant: Can form dense stands MANZ, MOJA, PARA Growing Season: Stems/Branches: Have Spring - Fall short, soft hairs Flowering Times: April - June Leaves: 4-16 cm (2-6 in) 1 Plant Height long & 2-4 mm (< ⁄8 in) wide 1 2 in-1 ⁄3 ft (0.05- 0.4 m) Flowers: 5-10 cm (2-8 in) long, drooping; slender bristles extending 8-18 6 feet mm (<½ in) past flower (1.83

Fruit/Seeds: Not used for the identification of grasses meters within this guide ) Cheat grass ( Bromus tectorum) Grass Family - Poaceae Habitat: Disturbed areas, roadsides, Don’t Confuse With Native: fields Native and non-native grasses are difficult to distinguish if flowers are not present.

flowers dried turn red flowers with age

Cheat grass in bloom

drooping flowers

Grass For full list of photo credits, visit: http://go.nps.gov/mojn-ipg Annual Known Parks: ( Cortaderia selloana) DEVA Watch For In: Plant: Densely clumped growth LAKE Growing Season: Stems/Branches: 20-40 cm Fall - Spring (7-15 in) long Flowering Times: September - March Leaves: <1.8 m (6 ft) long & 1 3-13 mm ( ⁄8-½ in) wide, drooping, Plant Height have sharp edges 6-13 ft (1.5- 4 m)

Flowers: dense, feathery 6

flower clusters 0.3-1.3 m (1-4 ft) feet long, white to tan (1.83

Fruit/Seeds: Not used for the meters identification of grasses within this densely clumped growth with drooping leaves ) Pampas grass ( Cortaderia selloana) Grass Family - Poaceae Habitat: Sandy areas, drooping Don’t Confuse With landscaped areas (commonly leaves planted as an ornamental) Native: Common reed (Phragmites australis) Plant not clumped; all parts 5-10 times smaller than Pampas grass; flowers Common reed loose loosely clustered flower clusters Common reed lacks clumped growth

Pampas grass dense, feathery drooping flower clusters flowers

Grass For full list of photo credits, visit: http://go.nps.gov/mojn-ipg Perennial Known Parks: (Cynodon dactylon) DEVA, JOTR, LAKE, MANZ, MOJA, PARA Plant: Forms mats Growing Season: Spring - Fall Stems/Branches: Can grow erect Flowering Times: or creep along ground June - September

1 Leaves: <6 cm (2 ⁄3 in) long & <6 mm 1 Plant Height ( ⁄3 in) wide; pointed tips 1 ~1 ⁄3 ft (~0.4 m) Flowers: 2.5-7.5 cm (1-3 in) long; mature Bermudagrass plant 4-7 thin flowering stems stems can creep radiating out from a single point 6 along ground feet (1.83 Fruit/Seeds: Not used for the identification of grasses within this guide meters ) Bermudagrass ( Cynodon dactylon) Grass Family - Poaceae Habitat: Disturbed areas, flowering stems Don’t Confuse With landscaped areas (commonly radiate out from Native: planted as an ornamental) a single point Salt grass (Distichlis spicata) Dense flower clusters; flowering stems do not radiate from a single point flowering stems flowering of Salt grass stems

pointed leaves Salt grass dense flower cluster

Grass For full list of photo credits, visit: http://go.nps.gov/mojn-ipg Perennial Known Parks: (Hordeum spp.) DEVA, JOTR, LAKE, MANZ, MOJA, PARA Plant: Loosely clumped Watch For In: GRBA Stems/Branches: Smooth, erect Growing Season: Fall - Winter Leaves: Sometimes covered with short Flowering Times: hairs January - November Flowers: Dense flower clusters Plant Height 1 closely attached to stem; have stiff 6 in-4 ⁄2 ft bristles. H. marinum and H. murinum (0.15-1.4 m) flowers erect; H. vulgare flowers nodding. 6 feet (1.83 Fruit/Seeds: Not used for the erect flower & bristles identification of grasses within this guide of H. marinum erect flower & bristles of H. murinum meters ) Barley ( Hordeum spp.) Grass Family - Poaceae Habitat: Disturbed areas, roadsides, Don’t Confuse With Natives: fields Foxtail barley Squirreltail (Hordeum jubatum) large nodding (Elymus elymoides) flowers of Bristles longer and less stiff H. vulgare than H. marinum & H. murinum dried, bent bristles of E. elymoides Slightly nodding flowers with longer bristles; dried bristles turn outward longer, softer bristles nodding flowers & clumped from flower of H. jubatum growth of E. elymoides cluster Grass For full list of photo credits, visit: http://go.nps.gov/mojn-ipg Annual Known Parks: ( Pennisetum ciliare) LAKE Watch For In: Plant: Densely clumped DEVA, JOTR growth Growing Season: Stems/Branches: Year Round Multi-branched Flowering Times: July - November Leaves: 30–50 cm (11-20 in) Plant Height 1 long & 2-13 mm ( ⁄8-½ in) wide ~5 ft (<1.5 m) Flowers: 2-13 cm (¾-5 in)

long, purple, arranged in 6 dense clusters feet

Buffelgrass plant with densely clumped growth (1.83 Fruit/Seeds: Not used for the identification of grasses within this guide meters ) Buffelgrass ( Pennisetum ciliare) Grass Family - Poaceae Habitat: Disturbed areas, roadsides, Don’t Confuse With Native: landscaped areas (commonly planted as an Alkali sacaton Flowers ornamental) (Sporobolus airoides) arranged in multi- loose clusters branched close-up dense flower stems flower cluster clusters

loose flower clusters overall growth not densely clumped Grass For full list of photo credits, visit: http://go.nps.gov/mojn-ipg Perennial Known Parks: ( Pennisetum setaceum) JOTR, LAKE, MANZ Watch For In: Plant: Densely clumped growth P. setaceum densely clumped growth DEVA, MOJA Growing Season: Stems/Branches: Year Round Have fine hairs where leaves attach to stems Flowering Times: January - November Leaves: slender, 20-65 cm (8-26 in) long & 1 2-3.5 mm (< ⁄8 in) wide; have sharp edges Plant Height ~5 ft (<1.5 m) Flowers: Arranged in dense clusters 8-30 cm (3-12 in) long, white to purple; each flower has many stiff bristles stiff bristles on flowers 6 feet (1.83 Fruit/Seeds: Not used for the identification of

grasses within this guide meters ) Fountain grass ( Pennisetum setaceum) Grass Family - Poaceae flowers lack Habitat: Disturbed areas, springs, Don’t Confuse With Natives: stiff bristles river banks, landscaped areas (commonly Alkali sacaton satintail planted as an ornamental) (Sporobolus airoides) (Imperata brevifolia) long, dense Flowers Flowers lack stiff flower clusters arranged bristles; spreading in loose (not densely clumped) clusters close-up growth flower clusters spreading growth of I. brevifolia

P. setaceum slender leaves

loose flower clusters Grass For full list of photo credits, visit: http://go.nps.gov/mojn-ipg Perennial Known Parks: ( Polypogon monspeliensis) DEVA, GRBA, JOTR, LAKE, MOJA, PARA Typically found in small bunches Plant: Growing Season: Spring - Fall Generally round, hollow Stems/Branches: Flowering Times: April - October 1 Leaves: 1-20.5 cm ( ⁄3-8 in) long & 4-6 mm (~¼ in) wide, often rough & prickly Plant Height 1 2 in-2 ⁄3 ft (0.05- 0.7 m) Flowers: Densely packed cluster <18 cm (7 in) long, soft & downy looking, green to tan;

1 6 many small flowers, each <4 mm ( ⁄8 in) long, 2 1 feet slender bristles extending from the tip <1 cm ( ⁄3 in) long (1.83

Fruit/Seeds: Not used for the identification meters Rabbitsfoot grass plants of grasses within this guide ) Rabbitsfoot grass ( Polypogon monspeliensis) Grass Family - Poaceae flowers lack Habitat: Developed areas, springs Don’t Confuse bristles With Native: bunched growth & bristles on flower clusters California satintail (Imperata brevifolia) Spreading (not bunched) growth; flowers lack bristles; Perennial spreading growth of I. brevifolia bunched growth

soft, downy looking flower cluster

Grass For full list of photo credits, visit: http://go.nps.gov/mojn-ipg Annual Known Parks: ( Saccharum ravennae) DEVA Watch For In: Plant: Robust; forms dense clumps LAKE, MOJA, PARA Growing Season: Stems/Branches: 2-4 m (6-13 ft) long Spring - Fall Flowering Times: Leaves: <0.8 m (30 in) long & 2.5 cm (1 in) September - October wide; soft hairs where leaves attach to stem, sometimes has white stripe down middle of Plant Height leaf 6-15 ft (2- 4.5 m) Flowers: white to tan, erect, feathery clusters

0.6 m (24 in) long of many small flowers 6 feet (1.83 Fruit/Seeds: Not used for the identification of grasses within this guide meters

Ravenna grass plant ) Ravenna grass ( Saccharum ravennae) Grass Family - Poaceae Habitat: Springs, washes, river banks Don’t Confuse With Native: Common reed (Phragmites australis) All parts ~3 times smaller white than Ravenna grass; stripes on flowers red-tan & nodding; small Common reed leaves lacks clumped growth flower clusters Common reed lacks clumped growth

long, large, feathery flower clusters hairs where leaves attach to stem Grass For full list of photo credits, visit: http://go.nps.gov/mojn-ipg Perennial Known Parks: ( Schismus spp.) DEVA, JOTR, LAKE, MANZ, MOJA, PARA Plant: Low growing Growing Season: Winter - Summer Stems/Branches: Round & slender, 1 Flowering Times: <1 mm (< ⁄8 in) wide March - May

1 Leaves: <6 cm (2 ⁄3 in) long & 2 mm Plant Height 1 ( ⁄8 in) wide; sparse, fine hairs where leaves ~8 in attach to stem Schismus plants (<0.20 m)

Flowers: Dense clusters <5 cm (¼ in) single Schismus plant

long 6 feet

Fruit/Seeds: Not used for the (1.83 identification of grasses within this guide meters ) Mediterranean grass (Schismus spp.) Grass Family - Poaceae Habitat: fine hairs Don’t Confuse With Native: Disturbed areas, where leaves Native and non-native grasses are difficult to sandy areas, washes attach to stem distinguish if flowers are not present.

flowers of S. barbatus

Schismus growing trailside among other plants

flowers of S. arabicus

Grass For full list of photo credits, visit: http://go.nps.gov/mojn-ipg Annual Known Parks: ( Sorghum halepense) LAKE Growing Season: Plant: Forms dense patches Spring - Fall Flowering Times: Stems/Branches: 0.4-2 cm (¼-¾ in) wide May - August Leaves: 10-50 cm (4-20 in) long & 0.5-3 cm (¼-1¼ in) wide, white stripe down middle of Plant Height 1 leaf, edges feel sharp 6 ⁄2 ft (<2 m) Flowers: Loose flower cluster 10-50 cm (4-20 in) long, tan to purple; often has single,

bent bristle extending from tip of each 6 flower feet (1.83

Fruit/Seeds: Not used for the Sorghum meters identification of grasses within this guide halepense

plant ) Johnson grass (Sorghum halepense) Grass Family - Poaceae Habitat: Disturbed areas, roadsides, fields Don’t Confuse With Native: tan to Native and non-native grasses are difficult to close-up purple distinguish if flowers are not present. of flowers, flowers each with single bent loose flower clusters bristle

leaves have white stripes

Grass For full list of photo credits, visit: http://go.nps.gov/mojn-ipg Perennial Known Parks: (Lantana camara) DEVA Watch For In: Plant: Sprawls along ground, can climb LAKE other plants Growing Season: Spring - Summer Stems/Branches: Stems have thorns Flowering Times: March - September Leaves: ~15 cm (~6 in) long, dark green, toothed edges, rough leaf surface; leaves Plant Height 6-15 ft directly across from one another on stem 1 (~2- 4 ⁄2 m)

Flowers: Multicolored flower clusters, sprawling growth of Common lantana white to pink or lavender, or yellow to orange; 2.5-5 cm (1-2 in) wide (1.83 meters)

Fruit/Seeds: ~6 mm (~¼ in) wide, round, 6 feet dark blue leaves & flowers Common lantana (Lantana camara) Verbena Family - Verbenaceae

Habitat: Disturbed areas, roadsides, developed/landscaped areas Don’t ConfConfuse With Native: (commonly planted as an ornamental) There are no similar looking thorns on stems native species for Common round, dark blue fruits lantana

multi-colored flower clusters

Shrub For full list of photo credits, visit: http://go.nps.gov/mojn-ipg Perennial Known Parks: (Nerium oleander) DEVA, LAKE, MOJA Watch For In: Plant: Erect; leaves present all year, JOTR toxic to humans Growing Season: Year Round Stems/Branches: Grayish bark Flowering Times: June - October 1 Leaves: 5-21 cm (~2-8 ⁄4 in) long, dark green; narrow, thick, and leathery Plant Height 1 ~6 ⁄2-20 ft (2-6 m) Flowers: White, pink, or red; Oleander in bloom 2.5-5 cm (~1-2 in) wide

Fruit/Seeds: Linear fruits

5-23 cm (~2-9 in) long; seeds light (1.83 meters) and fluffy 6 feet

fluffy seeds linear fruit Oleander (Nerium oleander) Dogbane Family - Apocynaceae

Habitat: Disturbed areas, landscaped areas (commonly planted as Don’ton’t CoConfnfuse With Native: an ornamental) There are no similar looking native species for Oleander

leaves & flowers can be white, pink, or edr grayish bark

Shrub For full list of photo credits, visit: http://go.nps.gov/mojn-ipg Perennial Known Parks: (Spartium junceum) PARA Watch For In: Plant: Toxic to humans DEVA Growing Season: Stems/Branches: Smooth, finely ridged, Spring - Summer often leafless Flowering Times: April - June 1 Leaves: 1-3 cm (<1 ⁄8 in) long, linear to oblong Plant Height 6-10 ft 3 Flowers: Yellow, 2-2.5 cm (~ ⁄4 -1 in) long, (2-3 m) fragrant Spanish broom in bloom

flowers & stem Fruit/Seeds: Fruits 4-11 cm (1½-4½ in) long and ~0.5 cm (<¼ in) wide; pea pod shaped, densely (1.83 meters) covered with silvery hairs 6 feet Spanish broom ( Spartium junceum) Pea Family -

Habitat: Disturbed areas, roadsides, fields Don’t Confuse With Native: There are no similar looking yellow flowers native species for Spanish broom

linear to oblong leaves

pea pod shaped fruit

Shrub For full list of photo credits, visit: http://go.nps.gov/mojn-ipg Perennial Known Parks: (Vitex agnus-castus) LAKE Watch For In: Plant: Densely branched, shrub or small tree, DEVA fragrant Growing Season: Spring - Summer Stems/Branches: Smooth, woody stems Flowering Times: July - August Leaves: Gray-green to dark green on top Plant and lighter green underneath, 5-15 cm (2-6 Height in) long; 5-7 leaves extending from a central 25 ft point (arranged in hand-like shape) (<7.5 m) Lilac chastetree in bloom Flowers: Blue to hand smooth woody stems purple; arranged in shaped clusters ~18 cm (7 in) leaves long (1.83 meters) 6 feet 6 feet Fruit/Seeds: Off- white to brownish black Lilac chastetree ( Vitex agnus-castus) Vervain Family - Verbenaceae

Habitat: Developed areas, roadsides, washes, landscaped areas Don’ton’t CoConfnfuse With Native: (commonly planted as an ornamental) Bigleaf lupine (Lupinus polyphyllus) flower clusters

Bigleaf lupine Bigleaf lupine (larger flowers) (loose flower clusters) Lilac chastetree Flower clusters less dense, individual flowers (tree-like appearance) larger than Lilac chastetree

Shrub For full list of photo credits, visit: http://go.nps.gov/mojn-ipg Perennial Known Parks: Ailanthus altissima ( ) DEVA, MANZ, MOJA Plant: Erect; emits strong odor when bark scraped or leaves Watch For In: crushed JOTR, LAKE Growing Season: Stems/Branches: Grayish brown with light spots that Spring - Fall become cracked with age Flowering Times: May - July Leaves: Leaves directly across from one another on stem; Plant 3 5-17 cm (~2-6 ⁄4 in) long, angle downward; dark shiny green on Height top & lighter green underneath; smaller leaves often reddish A. altissima stand 10-82 ft (3-25 m) winged fruits Flowers: Greenish yellow to white; loose flower turning red 1 clusters up to 50 cm (~19 ⁄2 in) long of many small 2-3 1 mm (< ⁄8 in) individual flowers (1.83

Fruit/Seeds: Wing-shaped fruits 2.5 cm (1 in) 6 feet feet long, twisted into a loose spiral; green to straw-colored to meters reddish brown

spotted bark ) Tree-of-heaven (Ailanthus altissima) Quassia Family - Simaroubaceae Habitat: Disturbed areas, loose clusters Don’t Confuse With Native: roadsides, fields of pale flowers Smooth sumac Smooth (Rhus glabra) sumac berries Dense clusters of yellow flowers; red berries Smooth sumac flowers

seedling (reddish young leaves) close-up of fruits

Tree For full list of photo credits, visit: http://go.nps.gov/mojn-ipg Perennial Known Parks: (Elaeagnus angustifolia) GRBA, JOTR Plant: Silvery color Watch For In: PARA Stems/Branches: Smooth, reddish Growing Season: Spring - Summer brown, have long thorns Flowering Times: May - June Leaves: 4-8 cm (~1½-3 in) long, not directly across from one another on stem; green to Plant Height , narrow and linear ~ < 23 ft (< 7 m) Russian olive tree Flowers: Yellow, 5-10 1 3 narrow linear leaves mm (~ ⁄8- ⁄8 in) long, arranged in clusters

Fruit/Seeds: Fruits (1.83 round, light green to yellow 6 feet meters

thorns on stems/branches ) Russian olive (Elaeagnus angustifolia) Oleaster Family - Elaeagnaceae Habitat: Disturbed areas, roadsides, fields, wetlands Don’t Confuse With Native: Desert willow No thorns; flowers white (Salix exigua) to pink; fruits are linear

S. exigua S. exigua linear fruits flowers

round fruits yellow flower of Russian olive

S. exigua plant Tree For full list of photo credits, visit: http://go.nps.gov/mojn-ipg Perennial Known Parks: (Nicotiana glauca) LAKE, PARA Plant: Erect, toxic to humans Watch For In: Tree tobacco (single plant) DEVA, JOTR, MOJA Stems/Branches: Smooth gray-green bark Growing Season: Spring - Summer Leaves: 5-21 cm (~2-8¼ in) long, not directly across Flowering Times: from one another on stem; oblong to egg shaped, March - November grayish-green Plant Height Tree tobacco (single plant) ~ < 23 ft (< 7 m) Flowers: Tubular, yellow, 3-3.5 cm 1 (~1 ⁄8 in) long

Fruit/Seeds: Fruits

7-15 mm (~2¾-6 in) (1.83 long, capsule shaped 6 feet feet meters

) Tree tobacco (Nicotiana glauca) Tobacco Family - Solanaceae Habitat: Disturbed areas, smooth Don’t Confuse With Native: roadsides, wetlands, washes gray- green There are no similar looking bark native species for Tree tobacco

oblong & egg- shaped leaves capsule shaped fruits

tubular yellow flowers

Tree For full list of photo credits, visit: http://go.nps.gov/mojn-ipg Perennial Known Parks: ( Phoenix dactylifera) DEVA, JOTR Plant: Erect LAKE, PARA Growing Season: Stems/Branches: Single trunk, Spring - Summer no branches; stems 4-6 m (~13-20 ft) Flowering Times: long March - November Plant Height Leaves: Palm frond 30 cm (~12 in) ~ < 100 ft long, sharp, pointed, waxy, narrow (< 30 m)

Flowers: Off white color, arranged in feathery clusters

Fruit/Seeds: Fruits green to yellow, 3-7 cm (~1-2¾ in) long, shaped like (1.83 grapes, arranged in clusters 6 feet Date palm tree meters

) Date palm (Phoenix dactylifera) Palm Family - Arecaceae Don’t Confuse With Native: Habitat: Landscaped areas (commonly planted as an ornamental), springs There are no similar looking feathery native species for Date palm flower cluster palm fronds

grape shaped fruits

Tree For full list of photo credits, visit: http://go.nps.gov/mojn-ipg Perennial Known Parks: ( Tamarix ramosissima) DEVA, JOTR, LAKE MANZ, MOJA, PARA Plant: Many branched shrub or small tree, leaves not Watch For In: present all year GRBA Growing Season: Stems/Branches: Spring - Summer Reddish brown bark; branches Flowering Times: often purplish March - August Plant Height 1 < Leaves: 1.5-3.5 mm (< ⁄8 in) 27 ft long, blue-green, branching, (< 8 m) overlapping, scale-like

Flowers: White to pink, arranged in tightly packed clusters 1.7-7 cm (½-2¾ in) long (1.83

Tamarisk/Saltcedar plant 6 feet meters Fruit/Seeds: Fruits <5 mm (<¼ in) long

) ( Tamarix ramosissima) Tamarisk Family - Tamaricaceae Don’t Confuse With Native: Habitat: purplish-red stems Disturbed areas, There are no similar looking roadsides, native species for Tamarisk/ washes, springs Saltcedar

flower clusters overlapping scale-like leaves

tightly packed flower clusters

Tree For full list of photo credits, visit: http://go.nps.gov/mojn-ipg Perennial Known Parks: ( Tamarix aphylla) DEVA, JOTR, LAKE MOJA, PARA Plant: Gray-green, leaves present all year Growing Season: Spring - Summer Stems/Branches: Flowering Times: Reddish brown to gray May - July Plant Height < 1 40 ft Leaves: ~2 mm (< ⁄8 (< 12 m) in) long, grayish, tightly wrapped around stem, scale-like

Flowers: White to pink, flowers clustered along stem tip (1.83

Fruit/Seeds: Fruits <5 6 feet meters mm (<¼ in) long large Athel plant

) (Tamarix aphylla) Tamarisk Family - Tamaricaceae Don’t Confuse With Native: Habitat: Roadsides, washes, springs There are no similar looking native species for Athel flower clusters

scale-like leaves wrap around stems

brown stem, leaves & flowers gray-green color of Athel Tree For full list of photo credits, visit: http://go.nps.gov/mojn-ipg Perennial Known Parks: (Washingtonia filifera) DEVA, JOTR, LAKE, MOJA Plant: Erect; considered native in DEVA (when belonging California fan palms Watch For In: to a cultural landscape); native in MOJA & JOTR PARA Growing Season: Stems/Branches: No branches, single trunk Year Round waxy fronds Flowering Times: Leaves: Waxy March - June fronds, 0.9-1.5 m Plant Height (3-5 ft) long; 1 ~ <65 ⁄2 ft bunched at top of (< 20 m) trunk

Flowers: 3 10 mm (~ ⁄8 in) long, white or yellow clusters, drooping funnel shape (1.83

Fruit/Seeds: Black to beige-white, oval shaped, 6 feet arranged in clusters, 1.2 cm (~½ in) long meters

flower cluster ) (Washingtonia filifera) Palm Family - Arecaceae Don’t Confuse With Native: Habitat: Landscaped areas (commonly planted as an ornamental), springs There are no similar looking native species for California fan palm

close-up of dried fruits

overlapping scale-like leaves

close-up of fruits fruits hanging from tree

Tree For full list of photo credits, visit: http://go.nps.gov/mojn-ipg Perennial Known Parks: ( Acroptilon repens) DEVA, LAKE, MOJA Plant: Erect; densely branched Watch For In: GRBA, PARA Stems/Branches: Cobwebby hairs Growing Season: Spring - Fall Leaves: Not directly across from one another Flowering Times: on stem; lobed lower leaves 4-10 cm (1½-4 in) May - September 1 long, linear upper leaves 1-3 cm ( ~ ⁄3-1 in) long Plant Height <3 ft Flowers: Pink, lavender-blue, or white; (<1 m) ~15mm (½ in) wide; green scales located below

colored part of flower 6 feet (1.83 Fruit/Seeds: Seeds soft, white, have fine bristles meters

single densely branched plant ) Russian knapweed ( Acroptilon repens) Sunflower Family - Habitat: Disturbed areas, roadsides, fields Don’t Confuse With Native: flowers & Hoary tansyaster upper leaves (Machaeranthera canescens) All leaves are same shape and size 1 3-10 cm (1 ⁄8-4 in) long; flower is purple with yellow center

close-up of flowers M. canescens flower with yellow center

seeds of A. repens lower leaves lobed Forb For full list of photo credits, visit: http://go.nps.gov/mojn-ipg Perennial ( hyssopifolia) Known Parks: DEVA, GRBA, LAKE

Plant: Erect, densely branched, erect, often clumped growth of B. hyssopifolia Watch For In: gray-green JOTR, MOJA, PARA Growing Season: Stems/Branches: Reddish to Summer - Fall brown stems Flowering Times: July - October Leaves: Not directly across from Plant Height one another on stem; flat and <5 ft coming to a point on the end, (<1.5 m) 1 1 5-60 mm (~ ⁄3-2 ⁄3 in) long 6

1 feet Flowers: Flowers 1-2 mm (< ⁄8 in) long, fuzzy; arranged in clusters up (1.83 to 5 cm (~2 in) long meters

1

Fruit/Seeds: Star shaped fruit with <2 mm (< ⁄8 in) long hook-shaped spines ) Fivehook bassia () Goosefoot Family - Chenopodiaceae Habitat: Disturbed areas, roadsides, fields, wetlands Don’t Confuse With Native: star flower cluster Seepweed shaped with small (Suaeda moquinii ) fruit fuzzy Leaves plump & rounded flowers (not flat & pointy)

reddish brown stems flat, pointy leaves plump, rounded leaves of Seepweed

Forb For full list of photo credits, visit: http://go.nps.gov/mojn-ipg Annual (Bassia scoparia) Known Parks: DEVA, JOTR, LAKE Plant: Erect, gray-green B. scoparia plant Watch For In: GRBA, MANZ, PARA Stems/Branches: Growing Season: Green to red, sometimes Summer - Fall with white stripes Flowering Times: B. scoparia July - October stems Plant Height 1 Leaves: 8-50 mm ( ⁄3-2 in) long, flat, linear; <6 ft not directly across from one another on stem (<2 m)

1 8 Flowers: Each flower <2 mm (< ⁄ in) long; 6 flowers located between leaves on stem, feet forming small clusters of yellow flowers (1.83

1 meters Fruit/Seeds: Fruits <2 mm (< ⁄8 in), knoblike or paper thin ) Burningbush () Goosefoot Family - Chenopodiaceae Habitat: Disturbed areas, knoblike & Don’t Confuse plump roadsides, wetlands paper-thin fruits With Native: leaves yellow flowers located Seepweed between leaves (Suaeda moquinii )

woody lower stems of S. moquinii Lower stems woody; leaves plump (not flat)

flat, linear leaves Forb For full list of photo credits, visit: http://go.nps.gov/mojn-ipg Annual (Brassica tournefortii ) Known Parks: DEVA, JOTR, LAKE, Plant: Erect MANZ, MOJA, PARA Growing Season: Stems/Branches: Stiff white hairs on stems Winter - Spring Flowering Times: January - April

white hairs on stems Plant Height Leaves: Deeply lobed, 7-30 cm (2¾-11½ in) <~2 ft (<0.7 m) long, with bumps & short prickly hairs

1 6 3 Flowers: 8-14 mm ( ⁄ -½ in) wide, dull yellow, feet 4 petals (1.83

Fruit/Seeds: Linear and cylindrical fruit, 3-7 meters cm (1¼-2¾ in) long, fruits point up & away B. tournefortii erect plant with deeply from stem ) lobed lower leaves Sahara mustard (Brassica tournefortii ) Mustard Family - Brassicaceae Habitat: Disturbed areas, leaves have bumps Don’t Confuse With Native: roadsides, fields, sandy areas & hairs California mustard (Guillenia lasiophylla) White flowers; fruit point downward; leaves arrow-shaped with no bumps or hairs leaves downward lack bumps pointing & hairs dull yellow flowers fruit

white flowers

fruit point up & away from stem

Forb For full list of photo credits, visit: http://go.nps.gov/mojn-ipg Annual (Cardaria draba) Known Parks: GRBA, PARA Plant: Erect Watch For In: DEVA Stems/Branches: <0.5 m (<2 ft) tall, Growing Season: covered with short hairs Fall - Spring Flowering Times: Leaves: Not directly across from one another March - July on stem; 8 cm (~3 in) long, toothed edges, base Plant Height 1 of leaves wrap around stem <~1 ⁄2 ft (<0.5 m)

1 Flowers: 4 white petals, ~4 mm (~ ⁄8 in) long; flowers arranged in clusters 6 feet (1.83 Fruit/Seeds: Deflated balloon-shaped fruits, 1 ~3 mm (~ ⁄8 in) long meters ) single Hoary cress plant in bloom Hoary cress (Cardaria draba) Mustard Family - Brassicaceae Habitat: Don’t Confuse With Native: Disturbed areas, roadsides, fields There are no similar looking native species for Hoary cress

dried, deflated balloon-shaped fruits leaves have toothed Hoary cress flower clusters with edges single flowers having four petals & wrap around stem at base

Forb For full list of photo credits, visit: http://go.nps.gov/mojn-ipg Perennial (Carduus nutans) Known Parks: GRBA Plant: Erect Growing Season: Fall - Summer Stems/Branches: Stems have spines Flowering Times: June - September

Leaves: 10-40 cm (~4-15¾ in) long; not directly Plant Height 1 across from one another on stem; deeply lobed, <~9 ⁄2 ft spined (<3 m)

1 Flowers: 3-7 cm (1 ⁄8-2¾ in) wide, pink-purple nodding flower 6 feet Fruit/Seeds: Seeds soft, white, have fine bristles (1.83 meters ) seeds Musk thistle plant in bloom Musk thistle (Carduus nutans) Sunflower Family - Asteraceae Habitat: spined stem Don’t Confuse With Native: Disturbed areas, & leaves Flowers white or roadsides, fields thistle ( neomexicanum) pink-purple, erect (not nodding)

pink-purple erect flowers nodding flower

single New Mexico thistle New Mexico thistle plants plant in bloom in bloom Forb For full list of photo credits, visit: http://go.nps.gov/mojn-ipg Biennial (Centaurea melitensis) Known Parks: DEVA, LAKE, MOJA, PARA Plant: Grayish-green; evenly covered with Malta star-thistle with white, cottony hairs white, cottony hairs covering plant Watch For In: JOTR Stems/Branches: Edges may be Growing Season: winged Winter - Summer Flowering Times: Leaves: 2-15 cm (~¾-6 in) long, lobed April - September Plant Height

5 <~3 ft Flowers: Yellow, 10-15 mm (~½- ⁄8 in) (<1 m) long; have thick spines 19 mm (~¾ in)

long, reddish purple in color 6 feet

Fruit/Seeds: Seeds soft, white, have fine (1.83 bristles meters ) Malta star-thistle ( Centaurea melitensis) Sunflower Family - Asteraceae Habitat: Disturbed areas, roadsides, fields Don’t Confuse With Native: There are no similar looking native species for Malta star-thistle

seedling, lobed leaves

close-up of stems flowers have sharp with winged edges spines at base plant has grayish-green color

Forb For full list of photo credits, visit: http://go.nps.gov/mojn-ipg Annual (Centaurea solstitialis) Known Parks: DEVA, PARA Plant: Grayish-green; evenly Growing Season: covered with white, cottony Summer - Winter hairs Flowering Times: June - December Stems/Branches: Edges may be winged Plant Height <~6 ft Leaves: 2-15 cm (~¾-6 in) (<2 m) long, deeply lobed

Flowers: Yellow, 13-20 mm 6

3 feet (~½- ⁄4 in) long; have thick spines 26 mm (~1 in) long, yellowish to (1.83 straw-colored Yellow star-thistle plant in bloom meters

Seeds soft, white, have fine bristles Fruit/Seeds: ) Yellow star-thistle ( Centaurea solstitialis) Sunflower Family - Asteraceae Habitat: Disturbed areas, roadsides, fields Don’t Confuse With Native: flower, spines, There are no similar looking native & white species for Yellow star-thistle cottony hairs seedling, deeply lobed leaves

winged edges of stems

Forb For full list of photo credits, visit: http://go.nps.gov/mojn-ipg Annual Known Parks: ( Centaurea stoebe ssp. micranthos) GRBA Plant: Erect Watch For In: PARA Stems/Branches: Densely branched Growing Season: Spring - Fall Leaves: Not directly across from one another on stem; Flowering Times: deeply lobed lower leaves 4-10 cm (1½ -4 in) long, June - October 1 linear upper leaves 1-3 cm (~ ⁄3-1 in) long; cobwebby Plant Height hairs on young leaves; grayish-green in color <3 ft (<1 m) Flowers: Pink, lavender-blue, or white; ~15mm (½ in)

wide; green scales located below colored part of flower 6 have dark tips feet (1.83

Fruit/Seeds: Seeds soft, white, have fine bristles single meters densely

branched ) plant Spotted knapweed ( Centaurea stoebe ssp. micranthos) Sunflower Family - Asteraceae Habitat: Disturbed areas, roadsides, lower Don’t Confuse With Native: fields leaves lobed Hoary tansyaster (Machaeranthera canescens) unopened flowers with All leaves are same shape and size 1 single open 3-10 cm (1 ⁄8-4 in) long; flower flower is purple with yellow center M. canescens flower with yellow center

lavender to white flower

Forb For full list of photo credits, visit: http://go.nps.gov/mojn-ipg Perennial ( Cirsium arvense) Known Parks: GRBA Plant: Erect; densely branched Watch For In: PARA Stems/Branches: Smooth Growing Season: Spring - Fall Leaves: 5-20 cm (~2-8 in) long; irregular, Flowering Times: wavy, and toothed with prickly edges April - October Plant Height Flowers: Purple-pink; 1.5-2.5 cm (~½-1 in) <3 ft (<1 m) wide; green scales below colored part of flower 6

Fruit/Seeds: Seeds feet soft, white, have fine (1.83 bristles densely branched meters Canada ) soft white seeds thistle in bloom Canada thistle ( Cirsium arvense) Sunflower Family - Asteraceae Habitat: Disturbed areas, roadsides, Don’t Confuse With Native: river banks There are no similar looking close-up of native species for Canada thistle smooth stems & toothed leaves with prickly edges toothed purple- leaves with pink prickly edges flower

seedling with irregular/wavy leaves Forb For full list of photo credits, visit: http://go.nps.gov/mojn-ipg Perennial ( Cirsium vulgare) Known Parks: GRBA, JOTR, PARA Plant: Erect; densely branched Growing Season: Spring - Fall Stems/Branches: Cobwebby hairs and Flowering Times: spines June - October

Leaves: Spined, lobed lower leaves 15-25 cm (~½-1 in) long; upper leaves more Plant Height spiny & deeply lobed ~3-5 ft (1-1.5 m) Flowers: Pink-purple; 2.5-5 cm (1-2 in) wide; have dense, short spines 1-5 mm 6 feet (<¼ in) long (1.83

Fruit/Seeds: Seeds soft, white, have fine meters bristles

densely branched Bull thistle plant ) Bull thistle (Cirsium vulgare) Sunflower Family - Asteraceae Habitat: Disturbed areas, fields lobed lower leaves Don’t Confuse With Native: spined stem New Mexico thistle (Cirsium neomexicanum) & leaves Plant height 1½-10 ft (0.5-3 m); spines 4-15 mm 5 (¼- ⁄8 in); flowers white or pink-purple

spined stem & leaves erect flowers

New Mexico thistle plants pink flower in bloom Forb For full list of photo credits, visit: http://go.nps.gov/mojn-ipg Biennial (Convolvulus arvensis) Known Parks: GRBA, LAKE, MANZ, MOJA, PARA Plant: Vine; mat-forming, can climb other plants Growing Season: Year Around Stems/Branches: Stems twist Flowering Times: and climb April - October

Stem Height 1 Leaves: Not directly across from ~1-2 ⁄2 ft one another on stem, 2-3 cm (0.3-0.8 m) 1 (~¾-1 ⁄8 in) long, arrowhead shaped, dull green 6 Flowers: White to pink, funnel feet shaped when open, 1.5-3 cm (1.83 (~½-1 in) diameter single field bindweed plant meters

1 Fruit/Seeds: Tiny, tan fruit ~8mm (< ⁄3 in) diameter ) Field bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis) Morningglory Family - Convolvulaceae Habitat: Disturbed areas, roadsides, fields white to pink flowers Don’t Confuse With Native: Hedge bindweed Extremely similar; (Calystegia sepium) flowers larger: larger flowers than 3-7 cm (~1-2¾ in) field bindweed diameter; leaves longer: 5-10 cm (~2-4 in) flowers funnel-shaped long

arrowhead shaped leaves & vine-like growth

longer leaves than field bind- Forb For full list of photo credits, visit: http://go.nps.gov/mojn-ipg Biennial (Erodium cicutarium) Known Parks: DEVA, GRBA, JOTR, Plant: Low growing LAKE, MANZ, MOJA, PARA Stems/Branches: Green-reddish Growing Season: Year Round

1 Leaves: 3-10 cm (~1 ⁄8-4 in) long, Flowering Times: deeply lobed, feathery February - June

Plant Height Flowers: Pink to lavender, 3-5 mm ~2 ft 1 (~ ⁄8 in) long; 2-10 flowers per flowering (<0.6 m) stem 6

Fruit/Seeds: Long, pointy fruits; feet long part of fruit curls into a spiral (1.83 when dried out

single E. cicutarium plant meters ) Redstem filaree (Erodium cicutarium) Geranium Family - Geraniaceae Habitat: Disturbed areas, roadsides, fields, developed areas Don’t Confuse With Native: (picnic areas, viewpoints, campgrounds) filaree Round-shaped leaves, lavender flowers, (Erodium texanum) not deeply lobed or reddish stems, & feathery; larger flower 1 feathery leaves 14-30 mm (~½-1 ⁄8 in) wide

rounded leaves and larger dried fruit long, pointy fruits flower of exasT filaree Forb For full list of photo credits, visit: http://go.nps.gov/mojn-ipg Annual (Eruca vesicaria ssp. sativa) Known Parks: MOJA Plant: Erect single Arugula Watch For In: plant in bloom JOTR Stems/Branches: Have fine, white Growing Season: hairs Spring - Summer Flowering Times: Leaves: Deeply lobed May - September Plant Height Flowers: 2-4 cm (~¾-1½ in ) wide, 0.5-3¼ ft (0.2-1 m) white with purple veins 6

Fruit/Seeds: Fruits 12-25 mm (~½-1 in) feet long, linear & cylindrical with pointed tip (1.83 meters ) Arugula ( Eruca vesicaria ssp. sativa) Mustard Family - Brassicaceae Don’t Confuse With Native: white flower with purple veins Habitat: Disturbed areas, roadsides, fields There are no similar looking native species for Arugula

fine white hairs on stems

linear cylindrical deeply fruits with lobed pointed leaves tips

Forb For full list of photo credits, visit: http://go.nps.gov/mojn-ipg Annual ( Euphorbia esula) Watch For In: GRBA Plant: All parts have a sticky milky sap Leafy Growing Season: sticky milky sap when spurge Summer cut, sap toxic to humans plant Flowering Times: June - September Plant Height 1 Stems/Branches: Yellow-green, smooth ~2 ⁄2 ft (<0.8 m)

3 Leaves: 2-6 cm (~¾-2 ⁄8 in) long, not directly across from one another on stem, linear shaped, sometimes hairy 6 feet 1 Flowers: Pale yellow to green, 1.5-2.5 mm (< ⁄8 in) (1.83 long, arranged in clusters meters 1 Fruit/Seeds: Fruits 3-5 mm (< ⁄8 in) long, smooth, pumpkin shaped with 3 lobes ) Leafy spurge (Euphorbia esula) Spurge Family - Euphorbiaceae

Habitat: Disturbed areas, roadsides, wetlands Don’t Confuse With Native: There are no similar looking pale yellow to green flowers native species for Leafy spurge

pumpkin shaped flowers arranged in clusters fruits Forb For full list of photo credits, visit: http://go.nps.gov/mojn-ipg Perennial Known Parks: ( Halogeton glomeratus) DEVA, GRBA, MOJA Plant: Erect, densely branched, Watch For In: green to bluish green LAKE, PARA Growing Season: Stems/Branches: Red Summer - Fall stems 6-25 cm (~2-10 in) long, Flowering Times: curved at base of plant July - September Plant Height 1 Leaves: Not directly across <1 ⁄3 ft from one another on stem, (<0.4 m) 1 2 4-17 mm ( ⁄8- ⁄3 in) long, plump cylindrical shape; bristle at tip 6

of leaf feet densely branched, bluish green Saltlover plant (1.83 1 Flowers: Greenish yellow to pink, 2-3.5 mm (< ⁄8 in) long, form dense clusters on stem; petals papery thin meters

1 ) Fruit/Seeds: Tan-brown paper thin fruit, 1-2 mm (< ⁄8 in) long Saltlover (Halogeton glomeratus) Goosefoot Family - Chenopodiaceae Habitat: Disturbed areas, roadsides Don’t Confuse With Native: plump, Seepweed Leaves lack a dense bristle - (Suaeda moquinii ) bristle at the tip cluster of tipped flowers leaves & plump leaves red stems of Seepweed papery thin flower petals have no bristle

Forb For full list of photo credits, visit: http://go.nps.gov/mojn-ipg Annual (Lactuca serriola) Known Parks: DEVA, GRBA, JOTR, LAKE, MOJA, PARA Plant: Short, prickly hairs on stems deeply lobed leaves Growing Season: clasping of L. serriola plant Year Round Stems/Branches: leaves & Exude milky sap sap Flowering Times: May - September Leaves: 7-20 cm (3-8 in) long, deeply lobed; leaves clasp around Plant Height stem; short, prickly hairs on 1-10 ft underside of leaf brown seeds with white bristles (0.5-3 m)

Flowers: Yellow, 6 4-6 cm (¾-1½ in) wide feet (1.83 Fruit/Seeds: Brown seeds with meters white bristles ) Prickly lettuce (Lactuca serriola) Sunflower Family - Asteraceae Disturbed areas, Habitat: pale yellow Don’t Confuse With Native: roadsides flowers California chicory California chicory stems () lack prickly hairs

short Lacks prickly hairs; prickly flowers white hairs on stems white flowers of California chicory

Forb For full list of photo credits, visit: http://go.nps.gov/mojn-ipg Annual Known Parks: (Lepidium latifolium) LAKE, MOJA Plant: Erect, green to gray-green Watch For In: GRBA, JOTR, PARA Stems/Branches: 35-120 cm (~13¾-47 in) long; Growing Season: newly emerging plants have purple stems Spring - Summer Flowering Times: Leaves: not directly across from one another on stem; May - September 3 oblong, 3.5-15 cm (1 ⁄8-6 in) long Plant Height 1 <6 ⁄2 ft

1 (<2 m) Flowers: 4 white petals, 1.5 mm (< ⁄8 in) long; flowers arranged in small clusters

round, 6 seeds feet Fruit/Seeds: flattened Round, flattened seed pods (1.83 seed pod,

1 meters ~2.5 mm (< ⁄8 in) diameter Perennial pepperweed in bloom ) Perennial pepperweed ( Lepidium latifolium) Mustard Family - Brassicaceae invasive growth of perennial pepperweed Don’t Confuse With Natives: Habitat: Desert Mountain Disturbed pepperweed pepperweed areas, (Lepidium fremontii) (Lepidium montanum) roadsides, meadows, Deeply lobed lower Deeply lobed lower leaves, wetlands leaves, flower petals flower petals 2-4 mm 1 1 2-4 mm (< ⁄8 in) long (< ⁄8 in) long oblong leaves of L. latifolium deeply lobed leaves of L. fremontii deeply lobed leaves of L. montanum

close-up of white flowers Forb For full list of photo credits, visit: http://go.nps.gov/mojn-ipg Perennial (Lythrum salicaria) Watch For In: GRBA Plant: Erect field ofL. salicaria in bloom Growing Season: Summer Stems/Branches: Square, Flowering Times: fuzzy stems June - September

Plant Height 1 Leaves: 5-14 cm (~2-5½ in) long, 6 ⁄2 - <10 ft narrow leaves with slightly wider (2-3 m) base; leaves directly across from one another on stem

1

Flowers: 8-14 mm ( ⁄3-½ in) 6 long, pink to purple, 4-6 petals, feet flowers arranged in long dense (1.83 clusters at tips of stems meters

1 Fruit/Seeds: 3-4 mm (~ ⁄8 in) ) long Purple loosestrife ( salicaria) Loosestrife Family - Habitat: Disturbed areas, wetlands L. salicaria long, Don’t Confuse With Native: square, dense flower cluster California loosestrife (Lythrum californicum) fuzzy narrow 1 stems leaves with Flowers 4-8 mm (½- ⁄3) long, slightly spread out along the stem in wider base loose clusters flowers of California loosestrife spread out along stem

loose cluster of California loosestrife flowers

Forb For full list of photo credits, visit: http://go.nps.gov/mojn-ipg Annual (Malcolmia africana) Known Parks: DEVA, GRBA, LAKE MOJA, PARA Plant: Covered in short, white hairs Growing Season: African mustard plants in bloom Spring - Fall Stems/Branches: Multi-branched Flowering Times: stems May - August

Leaves: Not directly across from one sticky milky sap Plant Height 3 1 2 another on stem, <6 cm (~2 ⁄8 in) long; ⁄3 -1 ⁄3 ft toothed leaf edges, leaves have (0.1-0.5 m) bumps

3 6 8

Flowers: 6-9 mm (~¼- ⁄ in) wide, feet

pink-purple, 4 petals (1.83

Fruit/Seeds: Straight fruits 4-6 cm meters 3 long (1½-2 ⁄8 in); point up and away from stem ) African mustard (Malcolmia africana) Mustard Family - Brassicaceae

Habitat: Disturbed areas, roadsides leaves have bumps Don’t Confuse With Native: leaves have toothed edges There are no similar looking native species for African mustard

flowers are pink- plant is purple & covered have 4 in short petals white fruits are long & straight, and point upward & hairs away from stem Forb For full list of photo credits, visit: http://go.nps.gov/mojn-ipg Annual (Onopordum acanthium) Known Parks: GRBA, PARA Plant: Erect; densely Growing Season: branched, spiny Year Round Flowering Times: Stems/Branches: July - September Winged stems with Plant Height spines ~5-10 ft (1.5-3 m) Leaves: 10-50 cm (4-19½ in) long; cobwebby gray hairs; spined 6

Flowers: White or densely feet pink-purple; <5 cm (<2 in) branched (1.83 wide Scotch

thistle meters Fruit/Seeds: Soft, plant ) white, have fine bristles Scotch thistle in bloom Scotch thistle ( Onopordum acanthium) Sunflower Family - Asteraceae Habitat: Disturbed areas, roadsides, fields, grassland Don’t Confuse With Native: flowerscan be white or New Mexico thistle Not densely branched; pink-purple (Cirsium neomexicanum) stems lack wings & spines stems of New Mexico thistle lack wings & stems spines of Scotch Scotch thistle thistle New have leaves Mexico wings & have New thistle spines spines Mexico thistle not leaves densely have branched spines Forb For full list of photo credits, visit: http://go.nps.gov/mojn-ipg Biennial Known Parks: (Salsola tragus) DEVA, GRBA, JOTR, LAKE, Plant: Bluish-green, prickly, erect MANZ, MOJA, PARA Growing Season: Stems/Branches: Rigid branches, densely intertwined, Spring - Summer purple or green striped stem Flowering Times: July - October Leaves: Not directly across from one another on stem; 1 linear to needlelike, 8-52 mm (~ ⁄4-2 in) long with Plant Height sharp-pointed tips < 3¼ ft paper thin flowers stems & leaves (<1 m) Flowers: White-pink, fruit paper thin, 2.5-3.5 mm 6 feet 3 (< ⁄8 in) long (1.83 meters

3 ) Fruit/Seeds: Fruits 7-9 mm (~¼- ⁄8 in) long Russian thistle (Salsola tragus) Goosefoot Family - Chenopodiaceae Habitat: Disturbed areas, roadsides, fields Don’t Confuse With Native: Salsola tragus in bloom There are no similar looking native species for Russian thistle

dried S. tragus

Forb For full list of photo credits, visit: http://go.nps.gov/mojn-ipg Annual (Sisymbrium altissimum) Known Parks: DEVA, GRBA, JOTR, LAKE, MOJA, PARA Plant: Erect growth erect growth of S. altissimum plant Growing Season: Stems/Branches: White Spring - Fall hairs on stems Flowering Times: April - September Leaves: 5-20 cm (~2-8 in) long, deeply lobed with stiff hairs Plant Height 1 ~1 ⁄2-5 ft 1 Flowers: 6-8 mm (~¼- ⁄3 in) (0.5-1.5 m) wide, white-pale yellow, 4 petals 6 Fruit/Seeds: Straight fruits feet 5-10 cm (~2-4 in) long; point up (1.83 and away from stem meters ) Tall tumblemustard (Sisymbrium altissimum) Mustard Family - Brassicaceae Habitat: Disturbed areas, white Don’t Confuse With Native: roadsides, fields flowers Tansy & long leaves mustard linear deeply (Descurainia fruits lobed pinnata) with stiff Fruits shorter: 3 hairs 1-2 cm ( ⁄8-¾ in) long

fruits shorter than those of pale yellow S. altissimum flowers with 4 petals Forb For full list of photo credits, visit: http://go.nps.gov/mojn-ipg Annual (Sisymbrium irio) Known Parks: DEVA, JOTR, LAKE, Plant: Erect growth MOJA, PARA Growing Season: Stems/Branches: Stems mostly branched near base Winter - Spring Flowering Times: Leaves: Deeply lobed, 15 cm (~6 in) long January - May

Flowers: Yellow, 2.5-4 mm (1-1½ in) long, 4 petals Plant Height 1.5 ft Fruit/Seeds: Linear fruits 3–4 cm (~1-1½ in) long, (0.5 m) curve upward

deeply lobed leaves 6 feet (1.83 meters ) single S. irio plant London rocket (Sisymbrium irio) Mustard Family - Brassicaceae Habitat: Disturbed Don’t Confuse With Native: areas, roadsides, fields Tansy mustard (Descurainia pinnata) Fruits shorter: 3 1-2 cm ( ⁄8-¾ in) long yellow flowers & linear fruits ofS . irio

fruits shorter than field ofS . irio those of S. irio Forb For full list of photo credits, visit: http://go.nps.gov/mojn-ipg Annual (Sisymbrium orientale) Known Parks: DEVA, JOTR, Plant: Erect growth single S. LAKE, MOJA orientale Watch For In: Stems/Branches: Stems mostly branched plant PARA near base, have sparse hairs Growing Season: Spring - Summer Leaves: 3-12 cm (~1-4¾ in) long, very deeply Flowering Times: lobed, lobes often extending to center of stem May - June Plant Height 3 2 1 Flowers: 7-9 mm (~¼- ⁄8 in) long, 4 yellow petals ⁄3 -1 ⁄3 ft (0.2-0.7 m)

Fruit/Seeds: Linear fruits 6-10 cm (~2½-4 in) 6 long, pointing away from stem feet (1.83 meters ) Indian hedgemustard (Sisymbrium orientale) Mustard Family - Brassicaceae Habitat: Disturbed areas, Don’t Confuse With Native: roadsides, fields Tansy mustard (Descurainia pinnata)

Fruits shorter: 3 1-2 cm ( ⁄8-¾ in) long fruits of S. orientale leaves very deeply lobed very long & point out away from stem

flowers yellow with 4 fruits shorter petals than those of S. orientale

Forb For full list of photo credits, visit: http://go.nps.gov/mojn-ipg Annual Known Parks: (Sonchus oleraceus) DEVA, JOTR, LAKE, MOJA Plant: Erect; leaves and stems exude milky sap when cut Watch For In: GRBA, PARA Stems/Branches: May be green or red Growing Season: Winter - Summer Leaves: 10-20 cm (~4-8 in) long, not directly across Flowering Times: from one another on stem, deeply lobed, toothed March - July edges; leaves clasp around stem Plant Height <4.5 ft Flowers: Yellow; 1.5-2.5 cm (~½-1 in) wide (<1.4 m)

S. oleraceus seeds 6 Fruit/Seeds: Seeds soft, feet white, have fine bristles (1.83 meters

single common sowthistle plant ) Common sowthistle ( Sonchus oleraceus) Sunflower Family - Asteraceae Habitat: Roadsides, fields, washes deeply lobed leaves with Don’t Confuse With Native: toothed edges leaves clasp Mojave ragwort around (Senecio mohavensis) stems Leaves lack Mojave toothed ragwort edges; leaves flower 6-7 lack mm (~¼ in) toothed wide edges

Mojave ragwort fully stems may be Common sowthistle open flower green or red in color fully open flower Forb For full list of photo credits, visit: http://go.nps.gov/mojn-ipg Annual (Tribulus terrestris) Known Parks: DEVA, GRBA, JOTR, LAKE, MOJA, PARA Plant: Low growing, mat forming Watch For In: MANZ Stems/Branches: Stems Growing Season: <1 m (3¼ ft) long, hairy Spring - Summer Flowering Times: 1 March - October Leaves: 3-5 cm (1 ⁄8-2 in) long, directly across from one another on Stem Height stem, 3-7 pairs of leaves per stem <1 ft (<0.3 m)

Flowers: Yellow, 5-15 mm 6 feet 1 Puncturevine is low growing and forms mats (~½- ⁄8 in) long (1.83

Fruit/Seeds: Fruits gray to yellowish tan, with hairs and spines meters ) Puncturevine ( Tribulus terrestris) Caltrop Family - Zygophyllaceae Habitat: Disturbed areas, fruits Don’t Confuse With Native: roadsides, developed areas (picnic have California Very similar stems and areas, viewpoints, campgrounds) hairs & caltrop branches; fruits lack spines spines (Kallstroemia californica) fruits of 3-7 pairs California of leaves caltrop on stems lack spines

flowers & hairs on stems stems, branches & growth are very similar to Puncturevine Forb For full list of photo credits, visit: http://go.nps.gov/mojn-ipg Annual Mojave Desert Network National Park Service Inventory & Monitoring Division U.S. Department of the Interior

Acknowledgements MOJN I&M Network Parks: Death Valley NP (DEVA) The Mojave Desert Network Inventory & Monitoring Program would like to Great Basin NP (GRBA) extend its appreciation to all who assisted in the creation of this guide, granted Joshua Tree NP (JOTR) permission for photo usage, and provided feedback throughout the process. Lake Mead NRA (LAKE) Manzanar NHS (MANZ) Mojave NPres (MOJA) Grand Canyon-Parashant NM (PARA) References Tule Springs Fossil Beds NM (TUSK) Photos included in this guide were acquired either through direct granted permission from the photographer(s), through Creative Commons License - Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 , or provided by the National Park Service. All photo reference and citation information is available at: http://go.nps.gov/mojn-ipg

This Invasive Plant Guide is intended for distribution and use within the national parks of the Mojave Desert Network and is not intended for sale or commercial purposes of any kind. For additional questions or to request additional copies for your park, please contact the Mojave Desert Network Inventory & Monitoring Program. Contact information available at http://science.nature.nps.gov/im/units/mojn/about.cfm