Buccaneer Estates Lee County, FL SFWMD Application No. 200917-4292 Environmental Resource Permit Application Environmental Narrative

Project Description The project includes the construction of 212 manufactured home sites, a surface water management system, water and sewer utilities, and associated infrastructure. This permit requests the construction of the surface water management system (including ponds, pipes and ditches) and associated infrastructure for the proposed manufactured home community expansion. The project site is comprised of 58.90± acres of STRAP # 35-43- 24-00-00001.0080, located east of N. Tamiami Trail in Section 35, Township 43 south, Range 24 east, Lee County, Florida. (See Figure 1 – Location Map and Figure 2 – USGS Quad Map).

ERP Application I. Site Information

A. USDA/Soils Map – See Attached Soils Map (Figure 3 – Soils Map) Soils within the project area include (7) Matlacha-Urban Land Complex, (13) Boca Fine Sand, (33) Oldsmar sand, (39) Isles Fine Sand, depressional, (42) Wabasso Sand, (50) Oldsmar Fine Sand, (59) Urban Land, (69) Matlacha Gravelly Fine Sand, (73) Pineda Fine Sand and (99) open water.

II. Environmental Considerations A. Avoidance and Minimization The following measures will be implemented to avoid or minimize impacts to wetlands and surface waters: • No impacts to wetlands are proposed. Additionally, the wetlands on-site will be placed in a conservation easement and maintained via an Indigenous Management Plan (See Appendix C – Indigenous Management Plan), which contains details regarding maintenance and management of the proposed conservation easement areas. • Surface water impacts are limited to fill and redirection of a man-made, upland- cut outfall ditch created with the original Buccaneer Estates development in the 1970s (See Figure 6 – Historical Aerials). This impact is necessary to link the two developed portions of the project site together while accommodating the necessary stormwater volume and avoiding impacts to on-site wetlands. The existing upland-cut ditch will be redirected into a proposed stormwater management pond, which is proposed to outfall into an existing wetland and natural stream system located in the southeastern corner of the site, which continues to flow off-site to the south. The proposed project will maintain the existing hydrology of the project site while accommodating the proposed manufactured home lots. B. Wildlife Surveys The following measures will be implemented to avoid or minimize impacts to potential wildlife habitat: • Per Lee County requirements, a Protected Species Survey was conducted to assess the project site for presence/absence of state- and federally-listed species (See Appendix D – Protected Species Survey). • Implementation of the Standard Protection Measures for the Eastern Indigo Snake (Appendix A) and avoidance or relocation of gopher tortoises and their commensal species in accordance with FWC regulations.

FWC reviewed the proposed project and provided e-mail correspondence on October 13th, 2020. FWC comments were limited to advisory information and recommendations for reducing potential conflicts with Florida black bears (Ursus americanus floridanus). (See Appendix F – FWC Correspondence)

C. Maintenance of water quantity, quality, hydroperiod and habitat in on-site wetlands – The proposed project will not significantly alter water quantity, quality, hydroperiod, or habitat in on-site wetlands or surface waters. Water quality will be maintained through project use of Best Management Practices (BMPs) (including implementation of a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan) and adherence to a National Pollutant Discharge and Elimination Systems (NPDES) permit obtained from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.

D. Mitigation Plans – N/A. Mitigation is not anticipated to be required. No direct or secondary impacts to wetlands are proposed. Impacts to one (1) surface water are proposed, but this surface water is a man-made ditch excavated from uplands and is therefore exempt from mitigation requirements.

E. Wetland and Surface Water Boundary Delineation – Wetland limits were flagged by Kimley-Horn and were reviewed and approved in the field by SFWMD on December 2nd, 2020. Two (2) wetlands (Wetland 1 and Wetland 2) are present within the project site. One (1) surface water (Surface Water 2) is present within the southeastern extent of the project site, which is a natural tributary of Powell Creek. One (1) other surface water (Surface Water 1) is also present within the southeastern extent of the project site. Surface Water 1 is a man-made ditch excavated from uplands with the construction of the original Buccaneer Estates development in the 1970s. These wetlands and surface waters are shown on Figure 5 and Appendix B. No direct or secondary impacts to wetlands are proposed. Impacts to surface waters are limited to 0.8 acres of Surface Water 1 (Appendix B).

F. Impact Summary Tables: 1. Table 1 is attached in Appendix B. Table 2 and 3 are not applicable. 2. Table 4 – Docking facilities is not applicable. 3. Table 5 - Shoreline stabilization is not applicable.

Other Environmental Considerations:

Existing Land Use (ERP Application Section III – B.) – Land use and land cover was mapped based on the Florida Land Use, Cover and Forms Classification System (FLUCFCS) (FDOT, 1999) and is attached as Figure 4. The data for the mapping was based on existing GIS data from South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) and field reconnaissance. Land covers include: mobile home units (FLUCFCS 132), undeveloped land within urban areas (FLUCFCS 191), urban land in transition (FLUCFCS 193), other shrubs and brush (FLUCFCS 329), pine flatwoods (FLUCFCS 411), cabbage palm (428), hardwood-conifer mixed (FLUCFCS 434), mixed hardwoods (FLUCFCS 438), natural streams (FLUCFCS 511), upland-cut ditch (FLUCFCS 513), and mixed wetland hardwoods (FLUCFCS 617).

FLUCFCS 132 – Mobile home units This land cover type consists of manufactured home sites with mowed and maintained landscaping. FLUCFCS 191 – Undeveloped land within urban areas This land cover type consists of mowed and maintained open areas scattered throughout the project site. FLUCFCS 193 – Urban land in transition This land cover type consists of a maintenance and equipment storage area for Buccaneer Estates staff. FLUCFCS 329 – Other shrubs and brush This land cover type consists of upland shrub areas with very limited canopy cover. Vegetation observed consisted of cogongrass (Imperata cylindrica), with scattered cabbage palm (Sabal palmetto), wax myrtle (Morella cerifera), muscadine (Vitis rotundfolia), and blackberry (Rubus argutus). FLUCFCS 411 – Pine flatwoods This land cover type consists of a canopy of slash pine (Pinus elliotti) with an understory comprised mostly of saw palmetto (Serenoa repens), cabbage palm, gallberry (Ilex glabra), and wax myrtle. FLUCFCS 428 – Cabbage Palm This land cover type consists of a dominant canopy cover of cabbage palms. Understory vegetation in these areas consisted almost exclusively of Brazilian pepper (Schinus terebinthifolius). FLUCFCS 434 – Hardwood-Conifer Mixed This land cover type consists of a canopy of live oak (Quercus virginiana), water oak (Quercus nigra) and slash pine. Understory vegetation consisted of cabbage palm, saw palmetto, wax myrtle, Hercules club (Zanthoxylum clava-herculis), and greenbrier (Smilax spp.) FLUCFCS 438 – Mixed Hardwoods This land cover type consists of a canopy of hardwood trees, such as live oak and water oak, with an understory dominated by Brazilian pepper in some areas. In areas without Brazilian pepper, the understory consisted of wax myrtle, cabbage palm, saw palmetto, Hercules club, greenbrier, and bracken fern (Pteridium aquilinum) FLUCFCS 511 – Natural Streams (Surface Water 2) This land cover type describes a natural tributary of Powell Creek that receives flow from an upland-cut ditch system to the north and a forested wetland (Wetland 2) to the east. This stream continues off-site to the south. The banks of the stream were gradual, with vegetation observed on the banks including laurel oak (Quercus laurifolia), red maple (Acer rubrum), pop ash (Fraxinus caroliniana) and netted chain fern (Woodwardia areolata). FLUCFCS 513 – Upland-Cut Ditch (Surface Water 1) This land cover type describes an upland-cut ditch that was created in the 1970s as a part of the original Buccaneer Estates development. This ditch receives flow via a concrete weir from the Buccaneer Estates stormwater management system and contributes flow to Surface Water 2. The banks of the ditch were very steep, with vegetation on the banks consisting exclusively of Brazilian Pepper.

FLUCFCS 617 – Mixed Wetland Hardwoods (Wetlands 1 & 2) This land cover type describes two forested wetland areas that occur on-site. Canopy vegetation consisted of pop ash, laurel oak, and swamp tupelo (Nyssa biflora). Understory coverage was mostly comprised of open water, with scattered Virginia chain fern (Woodwardia virginica), netted chain fern, and white-top sedge (Rhyncospora colorata).

Historic and Archaeological Resources – Kimley-Horn submitted a request to the Division of Historical Resources, Florida Master Site File (FMSF) regarding any documented historic resources within the vicinity of the project site. Kimley-Horn received a map showing no resources within the project site. One resource (LL02388, “Atlantic Coastline Railway Grade”), an abandoned railroad grade, was identified to the east of the project site. FMSF provided the attached Archaeological Site Form, which evaluated this resource and concluded that this resource no longer contributes to visual or emotional historical context of the region. All rails, ties, and other historic railroad related material has been removed and many portions of the corridor have been heavily disturbed. (See Appendix E - SHPO Documents)

Based on the information provided by the FMSF, the proposed project is not anticipated to adversely affect historical or archaeological resources.

FIGURES Figure 1 – Location Map Figure 2 – USGS Quadrangle Map Figure 3 – Soils Map Figure 4 – FLUCFCS Map Figure 5 – Wetland and Surface Water Map Figure 6 – Historical Aerials Lee County, Florida

0 500 1,000 Feet ¯ d x m . N O I T A C O L

- r e e n a c c u B \ D X M \ S I G \ r e e n a c c u B - 2 0 0 0 8 2 8 4 1 \ V N E

_ Legend D C B \ :

K Project Boundary

Project Location Map

© 2016 Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc. Buccaneer 1690 S Congress Ave, Suite 100, Delray Beach, FL 33445 Lee County, Florida Phone (561)330-2345 www.kimley-horn.com 1 inch = 1,000 feet PROJECT NUMBER: 148280002 JUNE 2016 FIGURE 1 0 500 1,000 Feet ± d x m . S G S U _ r e e n a c c u B \ D X M \ S I G \ r e e n a c c u B - 2 0 0 0 8 2 8 4 1 \ V N E

_ Legend D C B \ :

K Project Boundary

Source: FDOT APlus USGS Topographic Quadrangle Map ( 7.5-Min Quad) Buccaneer Estates © 2016 Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc. 1690 S Congress Ave. # 100, Delray Beach, FL 33445 Lee County, Florida Phone (561)330-2345 www.kimley-horn.com 1 inch = 1,000 feet PROJECT NUMBER: 148280002 JUNE 2016 FIGURE 2 0 400 800 Feet ±

50 42 42 99

53 99 59 69 99

50 33 73

7

39 7 13 13 13 Legend

Project Boundary Soils 7: Matlacha-Urban 41 Land Complex ¤£ d x m

. 13: Boca Fine Sand s l i o S

_ 33: Oldsmar sand r e e n

a 39: Isles Fine Sand, c c depressional (Hydric) u B \

D 42: Wabasso Sand X M \ S I 50: Oldsmar Fine G \ r Sand e e n a 53: Myakka Fine Sand c c u (Hydric) B - 2

0 59: Urban Land 0 0 8 2

8 69: Matlacha Gravelly Rd 4 and 1 Isl \ Fine Sand Pine V N

E 73: Pineda Fine Sand _

D (Hydric) C B \ :

K 99: Open Water

Source: FDOT APlus, NRCS Geospatial Data Gateway NRCS Soils Data Map Buccaneer Estates © 2016 Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc. 1690 S Congress Ave # 100, Delray Beach, FL, 33445 Lee County, Florida Phone (561) 330-2345 Fax (561) 863-8175 www.kimley-horn.com 1 inch = 800 feet PROJECT NUMBER: 148280002 JUNE 2016 FIGURE 3 I 0 125 250

Feet 191

132 411

Legend PROJECT BOUNDARY (58.89 ± AC) FLUCCS CODE - FLUCCS DESCRIPTION 132 - MOBILE HOME UNITS* (*ASSOCIATED PARKING) 191 - UNDEVELOPED LAND WITHIN URBAN AREAS 193 - URBAN LAND IN TRANSITION 329 - OTHER SHRUBS AND BRUSH 411 - PINE FLATWOODS 428 - CABBAGE PALM 434 - HARDWOOD CONFIFER MIXED 438 - MIXED HARDWOODS 511 - NATURAL STREAMS 329 513 - UPLAND-CUT DITCH 617 - MIXED WETLAND HARDWOODS

434

191 428 193 191

513 434 428 438

329 617 511

191 438

617

434

KHA Project 046456003 © 2021 Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc. FIG LAND USE & LAND COVER MAP 1412 Jackson Street #2, Fort Myers, Florida Buccaneer Estates, Lee County, Florida April 2021 Phone: 239 271 2650 4 www.kimley-horn.com CA 00000696 0 160 320 Feet ± d x m . W S

&

L W _ r e e n a c c u B \ s p a M v e R

0 Surface Water 1 2 0 2 \ D X M \ S I G \ s e t a t s E r

e Wetland 2 e n a c c u Surface Water 2 B

-

2 0 0 0 8 2 8 4 1 \ s t c e j o r P \ s m Wetland 1 e t s y S l a r u t a N \ l a t n e m n o r i v Legend n E

_ Project Site M

A Surface Waters T \ :

K Wetlands

Source: FDOT APlus Wetland and Surface Water Map Buccaneer Estates © 2021 Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc. 1412 Jackson Street #2, Fort Myers, Florida Lee County, Florida Phone: (239) 271-2650 www.kimley-horn.com 1 inch = 340 feet PROJECT NUMBER: 148280002 MARCH 2021 FIGURE 5 0 350 700 Feet ± d x m . s l a i r e A _ c i r o t s i H _ r e e n a c c u B \ s p a M v e R

0 2 0 2 \ D X M \ S I G \ s e t a t s E r e e n a c c u B

-

2 0 0 0 8 2 8 4 1 \ s t c e j o r P \ s m e t s y S l a r u t a N \ l a t n e m n o r i v n E _ M

A Legend T \ :

K Project Boundary

Source: FDOT APlus Aerial Map (1944) Buccaneer Estates © 2021 Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc. 1412 Jackson Street #2, Fort Myers, Florida Lee County, Florida Phone: (239) 271-2650 www.kimley-horn.com 1 inch = 700 feet PROJECT NUMBER: 148280002 NOVEMBER 2020 FIGURE 1A 0 350 700 Feet ± d x m . s l a i r e A _ c i r o t s i H _ r e e n a c c u B \ s p a M v e R

0 2 0 2 \ D X M \ S I G \ s e t a t s E r e e n a c c u B

-

2 0 0 0 8 2 8 4 1 \ s t c e j o r P \ s m e t s y S l a r u t a N \ l a t n e m n o r i v n E _ M

A Legend T \ :

K Project Boundary

Source: FDOT APlus Aerial Map (1953) Buccaneer Estates © 2021 Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc. 1412 Jackson Street #2, Fort Myers, Florida Lee County, Florida Phone: (239) 271-2650 www.kimley-horn.com 1 inch = 700 feet PROJECT NUMBER: 148280002 NOVEMBER 2020 FIGURE 1A 0 350 700 Feet ± d x m . s l a i r e A _ c i r o t s i H _ r e e n a c c u B \ s p a M v e R

0 2 0 2 \ D X M \ S I G \ s e t a t s E r e e n a c c u B

-

2 0 0 0 8 2 8 4 1 \ s t c e j o r P \ s m e t s y S l a r u t a N \ l a t n e m n o r i v n E _ M

A Legend T \ :

K Project Boundary

Source: FDOT APlus Aerial Map (1968) Buccaneer Estates © 2021 Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc. 1412 Jackson Street #2, Fort Myers, Florida Lee County, Florida Phone: (239) 271-2650 www.kimley-horn.com 1 inch = 700 feet PROJECT NUMBER: 148280002 NOVEMBER 2020 FIGURE 1A 0 350 700 Feet ± d x m . s l a i r e A _ c i r o t s i H _ r e e n a c c u B \ s p a M v e R

0 2 0 2 \ D X M \ S I G \ s e t a t s E r e e n a c c u B

-

2 0 0 0 8 2 8 4 1 \ s t c e j o r P \ s m e t s y S l a r u t a N \ l a t n e m n o r i v n E _ M

A Legend T \ :

K Project Boundary

Source: FDOT APlus Aerial Map (1972) Buccaneer Estates © 2021 Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc. 1412 Jackson Street #2, Fort Myers, Florida Lee County, Florida Phone: (239) 271-2650 www.kimley-horn.com 1 inch = 700 feet PROJECT NUMBER: 148280002 NOVEMBER 2020 FIGURE 1A 0 350 700 Feet ± d x m . s l a i r e A _ c i r o t s i H _ r e e n a c c u B \ s p a M v e R

0 2 0 2 \ D X M \ S I G \ s e t a t s E r e e n a c c u B

-

2 0 0 0 8 2 8 4 1 \ s t c e j o r P \ s m e t s y S l a r u t a N \ l a t n e m n o r i v n E _ M

A Legend T \ :

K Project Boundary

Source: FDOT APlus Aerial Map (1979) Buccaneer Estates © 2021 Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc. 1412 Jackson Street #2, Fort Myers, Florida Lee County, Florida Phone: (239) 271-2650 www.kimley-horn.com 1 inch = 700 feet PROJECT NUMBER: 148280002 NOVEMBER 2020 FIGURE 1A 0 350 700 Feet ± d x m . s l a i r e A _ c i r o t s i H _ r e e n a c c u B \ s p a M v e R

0 2 0 2 \ D X M \ S I G \ s e t a t s E r e e n a c c u B

-

2 0 0 0 8 2 8 4 1 \ s t c e j o r P \ s m e t s y S l a r u t a N \ l a t n e m n o r i v n E _ M

A Legend T \ :

K Project Boundary

Source: FDOT APlus Aerial Map (1986) Buccaneer Estates © 2021 Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc. 1412 Jackson Street #2, Fort Myers, Florida Lee County, Florida Phone: (239) 271-2650 www.kimley-horn.com 1 inch = 700 feet PROJECT NUMBER: 148280002 NOVEMBER 2020 FIGURE 1A 0 350 700 Feet ± d x m . s l a i r e A _ c i r o t s i H _ r e e n a c c u B \ s p a M v e R

0 2 0 2 \ D X M \ S I G \ s e t a t s E r e e n a c c u B

-

2 0 0 0 8 2 8 4 1 \ s t c e j o r P \ s m e t s y S l a r u t a N \ l a t n e m n o r i v n E _ M

A Legend T \ :

K Project Boundary

Source: FDOT APlus Aerial Map (1999) Buccaneer Estates © 2021 Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc. 1412 Jackson Street #2, Fort Myers, Florida Lee County, Florida Phone: (239) 271-2650 www.kimley-horn.com 1 inch = 700 feet PROJECT NUMBER: 148280002 NOVEMBER 2020 FIGURE 1A 0 350 700 Feet ± d x m . s l a i r e A _ c i r o t s i H _ r e e n a c c u B \ s p a M v e R

0 2 0 2 \ D X M \ S I G \ s e t a t s E r e e n a c c u B

-

2 0 0 0 8 2 8 4 1 \ s t c e j o r P \ s m e t s y S l a r u t a N \ l a t n e m n o r i v n E _ M

A Legend T \ :

K Project Boundary

Source: FDOT APlus Aerial Map (2008) Buccaneer Estates © 2021 Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc. 1412 Jackson Street #2, Fort Myers, Florida Lee County, Florida Phone: (239) 271-2650 www.kimley-horn.com 1 inch = 700 feet PROJECT NUMBER: 148280002 NOVEMBER 2020 FIGURE 1A

APPENDIX A Standard Protection Measures for the Eastern Indigo Snake STANDARD PROTECTION MEASURES FOR THE EASTERN INDIGO SNAKE U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service August 12, 2013

The eastern indigo snake protection/education plan (Plan) below has been developed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) in Florida for use by applicants and their construction personnel. At least 30 days prior to any clearing/land alteration activities, the applicant shall notify the appropriate USFWS Field Office via e-mail that the Plan will be implemented as described below (North Florida Field Office: [email protected]; South Florida Field Office: [email protected]; Panama City Field Office: [email protected]). As long as the signatory of the e-mail certifies compliance with the below Plan (including use of the attached poster and brochure), no further written confirmation or “approval” from the USFWS is needed and the applicant may move forward with the project.

If the applicant decides to use an eastern indigo snake protection/education plan other than the approved Plan below, written confirmation or “approval” from the USFWS that the plan is adequate must be obtained. At least 30 days prior to any clearing/land alteration activities, the applicant shall submit their unique plan for review and approval. The USFWS will respond via e- mail, typically within 30 days of receiving the plan, either concurring that the plan is adequate or requesting additional information. A concurrence e-mail from the appropriate USFWS Field Office will fulfill approval requirements.

The Plan materials should consist of: 1) a combination of posters and pamphlets (see Poster Information section below); and 2) verbal educational instructions to construction personnel by supervisory or management personnel before any clearing/land alteration activities are initiated (see Pre-Construction Activities and During Construction Activities sections below).

POSTER INFORMATION

Posters with the following information shall be placed at strategic locations on the construction site and along any proposed access roads (a final poster for Plan compliance, to be printed on 11” x 17” or larger paper and laminated, is attached):

DESCRIPTION: The eastern indigo snake is one of the largest non-venomous snakes in North America, with individuals often reaching up to 8 feet in length. They derive their name from the glossy, blue-black color of their scales above and uniformly slate blue below. Frequently, they have orange to coral reddish coloration in the throat area, yet some specimens have been reported to only have cream coloration on the throat. These snakes are not typically aggressive and will attempt to crawl away when disturbed. Though indigo snakes rarely bite, they should NOT be handled.

SIMILAR SNAKES: The black racer is the only other solid black snake resembling the eastern indigo snake. However, black racers have a white or cream chin, thinner bodies, and WILL BITE if handled.

LIFE HISTORY: The eastern indigo snake occurs in a wide variety of terrestrial habitat types throughout Florida. Although they have a preference for uplands, they also utilize some wetlands 1

and agricultural areas. Eastern indigo snakes will often seek shelter inside gopher tortoise burrows and other below- and above-ground refugia, such as other animal burrows, stumps, roots, and debris piles. Females may lay from 4 - 12 white eggs as early as April through June, with young hatching in late July through October.

PROTECTION UNDER FEDERAL AND STATE LAW: The eastern indigo snake is classified as a Threatened species by both the USFWS and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. “Taking” of eastern indigo snakes is prohibited by the Endangered Species Act without a permit. “Take” is defined by the USFWS as an attempt to kill, harm, harass, pursue, hunt, shoot, wound, trap, capture, collect, or engage in any such conduct. Penalties include a maximum fine of $25,000 for civil violations and up to $50,000 and/or imprisonment for criminal offenses, if convicted.

Only individuals currently authorized through an issued Incidental Take Statement in association with a USFWS Biological Opinion, or by a Section 10(a)(1)(A) permit issued by the USFWS, to handle an eastern indigo snake are allowed to do so.

IF YOU SEE A LIVE EASTERN INDIGO SNAKE ON THE SITE:

• Cease clearing activities and allow the live eastern indigo snake sufficient time to move away from the site without interference; • Personnel must NOT attempt to touch or handle snake due to protected status. • Take photographs of the snake, if possible, for identification and documentation purposes. • Immediately notify supervisor or the applicant’s designated agent, and the appropriate USFWS office, with the location information and condition of the snake. • If the snake is located in a vicinity where continuation of the clearing or construction activities will cause harm to the snake, the activities must halt until such time that a representative of the USFWS returns the call (within one day) with further guidance as to when activities may resume.

IF YOU SEE A DEAD EASTERN INDIGO SNAKE ON THE SITE:

• Cease clearing activities and immediately notify supervisor or the applicant’s designated agent, and the appropriate USFWS office, with the location information and condition of the snake. • Take photographs of the snake, if possible, for identification and documentation purposes. • Thoroughly soak the dead snake in water and then freeze the specimen. The appropriate wildlife agency will retrieve the dead snake.

Telephone numbers of USFWS Florida Field Offices to be contacted if a live or dead eastern indigo snake is encountered:

North Florida Field Office – (904) 731-3336 Panama City Field Office – (850) 769-0552 South Florida Field Office – (772) 562-3909

2

PRE-CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITIES

1. The applicant or designated agent will post educational posters in the construction office and throughout the construction site, including any access roads. The posters must be clearly visible to all construction staff. A sample poster is attached.

2. Prior to the onset of construction activities, the applicant/designated agent will conduct a meeting with all construction staff (annually for multi-year projects) to discuss identification of the snake, its protected status, what to do if a snake is observed within the project area, and applicable penalties that may be imposed if state and/or federal regulations are violated. An educational brochure including color photographs of the snake will be given to each staff member in attendance and additional copies will be provided to the construction superintendent to make available in the onsite construction office (a final brochure for Plan compliance, to be printed double-sided on 8.5” x 11” paper and then properly folded, is attached). Photos of eastern indigo snakes may be accessed on USFWS and/or FWC websites.

3. Construction staff will be informed that in the event that an eastern indigo snake (live or dead) is observed on the project site during construction activities, all such activities are to cease until the established procedures are implemented according to the Plan, which includes notification of the appropriate USFWS Field Office. The contact information for the USFWS is provided on the referenced posters and brochures.

DURING CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITIES

1. During initial site clearing activities, an onsite observer may be utilized to determine whether habitat conditions suggest a reasonable probability of an eastern indigo snake sighting (example: discovery of snake sheds, tracks, lots of refugia and cavities present in the area of clearing activities, and presence of gopher tortoises and burrows).

2. If an eastern indigo snake is discovered during gopher tortoise relocation activities (i.e. burrow excavation), the USFWS shall be contacted within one business day to obtain further guidance which may result in further project consultation.

3. Periodically during construction activities, the applicant’s designated agent should visit the project area to observe the condition of the posters and Plan materials, and replace them as needed. Construction personnel should be reminded of the instructions (above) as to what is expected if any eastern indigo snakes are seen.

POST CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITIES

Whether or not eastern indigo snakes are observed during construction activities, a monitoring report should be submitted to the appropriate USFWS Field Office within 60 days of project completion. The report can be sent electronically to the appropriate USFWS e-mail address listed on page one of this Plan.

3

ATTENTION: THREATENED EASTERN INDIGO SNAKES MAY BE PRESENT ON

Photo: Dirk Stevenson THIS SITE!!!

IF YOU SEE A LIVE EASTERN INDIGO SNAKE ON THE SITE:

• Cease clearing activities and allow the eastern indigo snake sufficient time to move away from the site without interference. • Personnel must NOT attempt to touch or handle snake due to protected status. • Take photographs of the snake, if possible, for identification and documentation purposes. • Immediately notify supervisor or the applicant’s designated agent, and the appropriate U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) office, with the location information and condition of the snake. • If the snake is located in a vicinity where continuation of the clearing or construction activities will cause harm to the snake, the activities must halt until such time that a representative of the USFWS returns the call (within one day) with further guidance as to when activities may resume.

IF YOU SEE A DEAD EASTERN INDIGO SNAKE ON THE SITE:

• Cease clearing activities and immediately notify supervisor or the applicant’s designated agent, and the appropriate USFWS office, with the location information and condition of the snake. • Take photographs of the snake, if possible, for identification and documentation purposes. • Thoroughly soak the dead snake in water and then freeze the specimen. The appropriate wildlife agency will retrieve the dead snake.

USFWS Florida Field Offices to be contacted if a live or dead eastern indigo snake is encountered: North Florida Field Office – (904) 731-3336 Panama City Field Office – (850) 769-0552 South Florida Field Office – (772) 562-3909

Killing, harming, or harassing indigo snakes is strictly prohibited and punishable under State and Federal Law.

DESCRIPTION: The eastern indigo snake is one of the largest non-venomous snakes in North America, with individuals often reaching up to 8 feet in length. They derive their name from the glossy, blue-black color of their scales above and uniformly slate blue below. Frequently, they have orange to coral reddish coloration in the throat area, yet some specimens have been reported to only have cream coloration on the throat. These snakes are not typically aggressive and will attempt to crawl away when disturbed. Though indigo snakes rarely bite, they should NOT be handled.

SIMILAR SNAKES: The black racer is the only other solid black snake resembling the eastern indigo snake. However, black racers have a white or cream chin, thinner bodies, and WILL BITE if handled.

LIFE HISTORY: The eastern indigo snake occurs in a wide variety of terrestrial habitat types throughout Florida. Although they have a preference for uplands, they also utilize some wetlands and agricultural areas. Eastern indigo snakes will often seek shelter inside gopher tortoise burrows and other below- and above- ground refugia, such as other animal burrows, stumps, roots, and debris piles. Females may lay from 4 - 12 white eggs as early as April through June, with young hatching in late July through October.

PROTECTION: The eastern indigo snake is classified as a Threatened species by both the USFWS and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. “Taking” of eastern indigo snakes is prohibited by the Endangered Species Act without a permit. “Take” is defined by the USFWS as an attempt to kill, harm, harass, pursue, hunt, shoot, wound, trap, capture, collect, or engage in any such conduct. Penalties include a maximum fine of $25,000 for civil violations and up to $50,000 and/or imprisonment for criminal offenses, if convicted.

Only individuals currently authorized through an issued Incidental Take Statement in association with a USFWS Biological Opinion, or by a Section 10(a)(1)(A) permit issued by the USFWS, to handle an eastern indigo snake are allowed to do so. August 12, 2013 IF YOU SEE A LIVE EASTERN IF YOU SEE A DEAD EASTERN DESCRIPTION: The eastern indigo snake is INDIGO SNAKE ON THE SITE: INDIGO SNAKE ON THE SITE: one of the largest non-venomous snakes in North America, with individuals often reaching up to 8 • Cease clearing activities and allow • Cease clearing activities and feet in length. They derive their name from the glossy, blue-black color of their scales above the eastern indigo snake sufficient immediately notify supervisor or the and uniformly slate blue below. Frequently, they time to move away from the site applicant’s designated agent, and the have orange to coral reddish coloration in the without interference. appropriate USFWS office, with the throat area, yet some specimens have been • Personnel must NOT attempt to location information and condition of reported to only have cream coloration on the touch or handle snake due to the snake. throat. These snakes are not typically aggressive protected status. • Take photographs of the snake, if and will attempt to crawl away when disturbed. • Take photographs of the snake, if possible, for identification and Though indigo snakes rarely bite, they should possible, for identification and documentation purposes. NOT be handled. documentation purposes. • Thoroughly soak the dead snake in • Immediately notify supervisor or the water and then freeze the specimen. SIMILAR SNAKES: The black racer is the applicant’s designated agent, and the The appropriate wildlife agency will only other solid black snake resembling the eastern indigo snake. However, black racers appropriate U.S. Fish and Wildlife retrieve the dead snake. have a white or cream chin, thinner bodies, and Service (USFWS) office, with the WILL BITE if handled. location information and condition of USFWS Florida Field Offices to be

the snake. contacted if a live or dead eastern indigo LIFE HISTORY: The eastern indigo snake • If the snake is located in a vicinity snake is encountered: occurs in a wide variety of terrestrial habitat where continuation of the clearing or types throughout Florida. Although they have a construction activities will cause North Florida ES Office – (904) 731-3336 preference for uplands, they also utilize some harm to the snake, the activities must Panama City ES Office – (850) 769-0552 wetlands and agricultural areas. Eastern indigo halt until such time that a South Florida ES Office – (772) 562-3909 snakes will often seek shelter inside gopher representative of the USFWS returns tortoise burrows and other below- and above- the call (within one day) with further ground refugia, such as other animal burrows, guidance as to when activities may stumps, roots, and debris piles. Females may lay from 4 - 12 white eggs as early as April through resume. June, with young hatching in late July through

October. Killing, harming, or harassing indigo snakes is strictly prohibited and ATTENTION: punishable under State and Federal Law. THREATENED EASTERN INDIGO

Only individuals currently authorized SNAKES MAY BE PRESENT ON through an issued Incidental Take Statement THIS SITE!!! in association with a USFWS Biological Opinion, or by a Section 10(a)(1)(A) permit issued by the USFWS, to handle an eastern indigo snake are allowed to do so.

LEGAL STATUS: The eastern indigo snake is classified as a Threatened species by both the USFWS and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. “Taking” of eastern indigo snakes is prohibited by the Endangered Species Act without a permit. “Take” is defined by the Photo: Dirk Stevenson USFWS as an attempt to kill, harm, harass, pursue, hunt, shoot, wound, trap, capture, collect, or engage in any such conduct. Penalties include a maximum fine of $25,000 for civil violations and up to Please read the following $50,000 and/or imprisonment for criminal information provided by the offenses, if convicted. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to become familiar with standard protection measures August 12, 2013 for the eastern indigo snake.

APPENDIX B Wetland & Surface Water Impact Summary Table & Exhibit

PROPOSED CONSERVATION EASEMENT AREA 2 (1.05 AC.) NORTH

74 75 WETLAND 2 76 77 (0.50 AC.) SURFACE WATER 2 78 79 (0.33 AC.) 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 73 89 72 90 71 91 70 92 69 93 68 94 67 95 66 96 65 22 97 64 23 98 63 24 99 62 25 100 61 26 101 60 27 59 28 58 29 57 30 56 31 SURFACE WATER 1 FILL IMPACT 55 32 54 33 (0.80 AC.) 53 34 52 35 21 51 36 20 50 37 19 49 38 18 48 39 17 40 16 41 15 42 14 PROPOSED CONSERVATION 43 13 44 12 EASEMENT AREA 1 45 11 46 10 102 (2.40 AC.) 47 9 8 6 7 5 103

212 162 © 104 161 146 4 3 2 211 1 105 163 160 147

106 210 164 159 148 WETLAND 1 209 (1.72 AC.) 107 165 158 149 208 166 150 157 145 207 167 151 156 144 206 168 LEGEND 155 152 143 205 169 141 140 139 138 137 154 153 142 204 170 136 203 171 135 202 172 173 174 175 176 177 178 179 180 181 182 134 201

199 198 197 196 195 194 193 192 191 190 189 188 133 200

132 IMPACT MAP

131 SURFACE WATER 108 109 110 111 112 113 114 115 116 117 118 183 130 184

119 129 185 120 128 186

121 187 127 PREPARED FOR 122 126

CALL 2 WORKING DAYS ESTATES, LLC BEFORE YOU DIG 124 125 123 MHC BUCCANEER GROUNDWATER / DEWATERING NOTE: IT'S THE LAW! THE PRESENCE OF GROUNDWATER SHOULD BE ANTICIPATED ON THIS PROJECT. Know what'sbelow. BUCCANEER ESTATES CONTRACTOR'S BID SHALL INCLUDE CONSIDERATION FOR THIS ISSUE. WHEN DIAL 811 Callbefore you dig. PERFORMING GRADING OPERATIONS DURING PERIODS OF WET WEATHER, PROVIDE ADEQUATE DEWATERING, DRAINAGE AND GROUND WATER MANAGEMENT TO CONTROL MOISTURE OF SOILS. SUNSHINE STATE ONE CALL OF FLORIDA, INC. EX-1 TABLE 1 - PROJECT WETLAND (WL) AND OTHER SURFACE WATER (SW) AND IMPACT SUMMARY

TEMPORARY PERMANENT WL & SW UMAM WL & SW WL & SW WL & SW IMPACTS WL & SW IMPACTS MITIGATION WL & SW NOT ASSESSMENT TYPE SIZE ID ID IMPACTED AREA NAME(S) (acres) IMPACT IMPACT IMPACT IMPACT (acres) SIZE TYPE SIZE TYPE (acres) (acres)

Wetland 1 Wetland 1 617 1.72 1.72 - - - N/A N/A

Wetland 2 Wetland 2 617 0.50 0.50 - - - N/A N/A

Surface Water 1 Surface Water 1 513 0.80 0 - - 0.80 D/F N/A

Surface Water 2 Surface Water 2 511 0.33 0.33 - - - N/A N/A

PROJECT TOTALS: 3.35 2.55 - 0.80

Comments: 511 – Natural Streams, 513 – Upland-Cut Ditch, 617 – Mixed Wetland Hardwoods (FLUCFCS, FDOT 1999) Codes (multiple entries per cell not allowed): Wetland & Surface Water ID: Include ID on submitted wetland and surface water impact maps Wetland Type: from an established wetland classification system Impact Type: D=dredge; F=fill; H=change hydrology; S=shading; C=clearing; O=other

Form #62-330.060(1) - Joint Application for Environmental Resource Individual Permit/ Authorization to Use State-Owned Submerged Lands/ Federal Dredge and Fill Permit Incorporated by reference in subsection 62-330.060(1), F.A.C. (October 1, 2013) Section C, Page 7 of 10

APPENDIX C Indigenous Management Plan

INDIGENOUS PRESERVE MANAGEMENT PLAN

DOS2020-00105

BUCCANEER ESTATES FORT MYERS, LEE COUNTY, FLORIDA

Prepared by: © 2021 Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc. 1412 Jackson Street #2, Fort Myers, Florida Phone: 239 271 2650 www.kimley-horn.com CA 00000696

TABLE OF CONTENTS 1.0 INTRODUCTION ...... 1 2.0 METHOD AND FREQUENCY OF TRIMING ...... 1 2.1 HAND TRIMMING GUIDELINES ...... 2 2.2 MOWING GUIDELINES ...... 2 3.0 EXOTIC PLANT ERADICTION AND NUISSANCE TREATMENT ...... 3 4.0 DEBRIS REMOVAL ...... 3

APPENDICES APPENDIX A - Preservation Area Map APPENDIX B - FLEPPC 2019 List of Invasive Plant Species APPENDIX C - IFAS Invasive Plant Species Management Techniques

Buccaneer Estates Indigenous Preserve Management Plan March 2021

Page 1

1.0 INTRODUCTION The proposed Buccaneer Estates expansion is adjacent to the eastern and southern boundary of the existing Buccaneer Estates Mobile Home Community at 2210 North Tamiami Trail N.E North Fort Myers, FL. The total proposed project area is comprised of 58.89 ± acres of predominately undeveloped land with a diversity of both natural upland and wetland communities. As part of the proposed development, approximately 25.82± acres of open space with native vegetation will be provided and 8.11 ± acres of indigenous plant community will be preserved. Appendix A provides a map of the preserved indigenous plant community preserves and associated Florida Land Use and Cover Classification System’s community type.

The preserve areas retain portions of several natural upland and wetland community types. Retained community types include hardwood conifer mixed, mixe3d wetland hardwoods, natural streams, other shrubs and brush, and upland cut ditch. It is anticipated the preservation area will transition to hardwood conifer mixed and mixed wetland hardwoods with some remnant natural stream system post development. The goal of the preserved areas is to provide habitat for both wetland and upland dependent wildlife species. Management of the preservation areas will provide special focus to Lee County Listed Species including, but not limited to, the gopher tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus), limpkin (Aramus guarauna), little blue heron (Egretta caerulea), snowy egret (Egretta thula), and tricolored heron (Egretta tricolor).

2.0 METHOD AND FREQUENCY OF TRIMING The proposed indigenous preserve management plan will utilize an integrated pest plant management via of hand trimming, herbicide use, and mowing across each of the preserve areas to improve the ecological integrity and increase value of wildlife habitat within the preserves. The goal of the hand trimming and herbicidal use will reduce the density and coverage of Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council’s (FLEPPC) Category I and II plant species to the greatest extent possible. Reduction of nuisance plant species will provide improved wildlife habitat and opportunity for native plant species to flourish. All hand trimming and removal of plant material conducted as part of the preserve management plan must be supervised by a certified arborist or other qualified environmental professional. Vehicles and heavy equipment are not permitted in the preserve areas. Prior to any preserve maintenance, pruning or clearing of invasive exotics in the preserve, the Department of Community Development must be notified. A City of Fort Myers Vegetation Removal Permit must be obtained prior to management activities.

Buccaneer Estates Indigenous Preserve Management Plan March 2021

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The indigenous preserve areas shall be managed in perpetuity.

2.1 HAND TRIMMING GUIDELINES This preserve management plan includes hand trimming of Brazilian pepper (Schinus terebinthifolia), by cutting and removing individual Brazilian pepper trees to the ground using a chainsaw or other hand tool. Immediately following cutting of Brazilian pepper trees, the application of herbicide is advised to prevent regeneration from the trunk and root stock. All Brazilian pepper trees shall be removed within the preserve areas within the first year of completion of the development. Continued monitoring and removal of Brazilian pepper encroachment is advised for the following three years, at a minimum. Allowing selective trimming of native mid-canopy/groundcover vegetation within the indigenous preserves will assist the land managers in meeting the objective of this management plan. However, trimming must also be done in a manner to maintain the integrity of the overall plant material and is intended to emulate a natural vegetative community, not a landscaped area.

No trees outside of FLEPPC’s listed nuisance plant will be removed during the trimming process without prior approval from Buccaneer Estates Environmental Sciences and/or a certified arborist who have determined a tree has the potential to present hazard to life or property. All vines may be pulled off trees if they are climbing above three (3) feet in height.

2.2 MOWING GUIDELINES

Mowing shall be conducted only within herbaceous areas immediately adjacent to the upland forested edges. Quarterly mowing events will allow the management of herbaceous vegetation and prevent woody encroachment into areas commonly used by gopher tortoises for foraging opportunities. Prior to mowing, a general survey shall be conducted to ensure no gopher tortoise burrows will be damaged due to mowing equipment. Vegetation should be maintained at a height that allows for the visual observation of potential gopher tortoises utilizing the forested edge for foraging. If a gopher tortoise or other wildlife species is observed within the trajectory of the mowing path, allow the species to vacate the area before completing further mechanical activities.

Buccaneer Estates Indigenous Preserve Management Plan March 2021

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3.0 EXOTIC PLANT ERADICTION AND NUISSANCE TREATMENT It is important to note the frequency of hand trimming guidelines previously described is not limited to the treatment of Brazilian pepper. All invasive exotic/nuisance plant species, including non- native grasses, included on the FLEPPC Category I and II species list require removal as well. The current list of Category I and II exotics is provided in Appendix B of this report for reference. Best management practices for the treatment of exotic plant species commonly observed within the existing preserve areas is provided in Appendix C.

The purpose of this plan is to ensure that preserves are adequately maintained, and that no non- native species are removed. The preserve areas are also required to be maintained free of exotics in perpetuity and nuisance plants are controlled to minimal levels through a scheduled maintenance program. Removal may include physical cutting, trimming, and root removal. The use of appropriate herbicides is permitted; all herbicide applications will be done under the supervision of a state-certified herbicide applicator with appropriate natural areas or aquatic certifications and only U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) approved herbicides will be used. Adhere to all local, state and manufacturers requirements. At a minimum, maintenance inspections and treatments of exotic species should be conducted a minimum of annually without dependence on the percent cover of invasive exotic vegetation. If necessary non-native grasses, such as Guinea grass (Panicum maximum), cogon grass (Imperata cylindrica), and Burma reed (Neyraudia reynaudiana) for example, will require more frequent than annual treatment, as they spread more rapidly than the exotic shrubs and trees. Additionally, native and/or non-native ornamentals, not part of the existing indigenous vegetative community, are not allowed within the preserve area and may be removed at any time.

4.0 DEBRIS REMOVAL

There will be no stockpiling of exotics or any trimmed debris permitted. Remove all trimmings, cuttings and exotic waste during removal activities. Additionally, the preserve area should be maintained free of human generated garbage and adjacent property waste on a quarterly basis.

Buccaneer Estates Indigenous Preserve Management Plan March 2021

APPENDIX A Preservation Area Map

Buccaneer Estates Indigenous Preserve Management Plan March 2021

I 0 60 120

Feet

Legend INDIGENOUS PRESERVE AREAS (8.11 ± AC) FLUCCS CODE - FLUCCS DESCRIPTION 434 - HARDWOOD CONFIFER MIXED (2.22 ± AC) 511 - NATURAL STREAMS (0.02 ± AC) PRESERVE AREA #2 617 - MIXED WETLAND HARDWOODS (4.17 ± AC) PROJECT BOUNDARY (58.89 ± AC)

PRESERVE AREA #1

KHA Project 046456003 © 2021 Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc. FIG INDIGENOUS PRESERVE AREAS MAP 1412 Jackson Street #2, Fort Myers, Florida Buccaneer Estates, Lee County, Florida April 2021 Phone: 239 271 2650 1B www.kimley-horn.com CA 00000696 I 0 125 250

Feet

Legend INDIGENOUS PRESERVE AREAS (8.11 ± AC) FLUCCS CODE - FLUCCS DESCRIPTION 434 - HARDWOOD CONFIFER MIXED (2.22 ± AC) 511 - NATURAL STREAMS (0.02 ± AC) 617 - MIXED WETLAND HARDWOODS (4.17 ± AC) PROJECT BOUNDARY (58.89 ± AC)

PRESERVE AREA #2

PRESERVE AREA #1

KHA Project 046456003 © 2021 Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc. FIG INDIGENOUS PRESERVE AREAS MAP 1412 Jackson Street #2, Fort Myers, Florida Buccaneer Estates, Lee County, Florida April 2021 Phone: 239 271 2650 1 www.kimley-horn.com CA 00000696

APPENDIX B FLEPPC 2019 List of Invasive Plant Species

Buccaneer Estates Indigenous Preserve Management Plan March 2021

FLEPPC List Definitions: The 2019 list was prepared by Florida Exotic Pest Plant the FLEPPC Plant List Committee Exotic—a species introduced to Florida, purpose- Council’s 2019 List of fully or accidentally, from a natural range outside Tony Pernas, Co-Chair, 2017-2019, National Park Service, of Florida. Native—a species whose natural range Big Cypress National Preserve, [email protected] Invasive Plant Species includes Florida. Naturalized exotic—an exotic Dennis Giardina, Co-Chair, 2017-2019, Florida Fish and Wild- life Conservation Commission, [email protected] The mission of the Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council is to that sustains itself outside cultivation (it is still reduce the impacts of invasive plants in Florida through exotic; it has not “become” native). Janice Duquesnel, Florida Park Service, Florida Department of Environmental Protection, [email protected] the exchange of scientific, educational, and technical Invasive exotic— an exotic that has not only information. naturalized, but is expanding on its own in Florida Alan Franck, Florida International University, Department of Biological Sciences, [email protected] Note: The FLEPPC List of Invasive Plant Species is not a native plant communities. regulatory list. Only those plants listed as Federal Noxious Roger L. Hammer, Retired Naturalist and Author, Zone: N = north, C = central, S = south, [email protected] Weeds, Florida Noxious Weeds, Florida Prohibited Aquatic Plants, or in local ordinances are regulated by law. Referring to each species’ general distribution in John Kunzer, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation regions of Florida (not its potential range in the Commission, [email protected] Purpose of the List state). Please refer to the map below. James Lange, Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, To provide a list of plants determined by the Florida Exotic [email protected] Pest Plant Council to be invasive in natural areas of Florida

Kenneth Langeland, Professor Emeritus, University of and routinely update the list based upon information of Florida/IFAS, Agronomy Department, [email protected] newly identified occurrences and changes in distribution For more information on over time. Also, to focus attention on: Deah Lieurance, University of Florida/IFAS, Agronomy Department, [email protected] • The adverse effects exotic pest plants have on Florida’s invasive exotic plants north Chris Lockhart, Habitats Specialists Inc., [email protected] biodiversity and native plant communities, including links to related Jean McCollom, Natural Ecosystems, [email protected] • The habitat losses in natural areas from exotic pest central plant infestations, Gil Nelson, Professor Emeritus, Florida State University/ web pages, visit: iDigBio, [email protected] • The impacts on endangered species via habitat loss Jennifer Possley, Fairchild Topical Botanic Garden, and alteration, south [email protected] www.fleppc.org • The need for pest plant management, Jimi L. Sadle, National Park Service, Everglades National Park,

[email protected] • The socio-economic impacts of these plants Dexter Sowell, Florida State University, FNAI, (e.g., increased wildfires or flooding in certain areas), [email protected] • Changes in the severity of different pest plant Jessica Spencer, US Army Corps of Engineers, infestations over time, Citation example: [email protected] • Providing information to help managers set priorities FLEPPC. 2019 List of Invasive Plant Species. Arthur Stiles, Florida Park Service, for research and control programs. Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council. Internet: www.fleppc.org [email protected]

Richard P. Wunderlin, Professor Emeritus, University of South Florida, [email protected] www.fleppc.org CATEGORY I CATEGORY II Invasive exotics that are altering native plant communities by displacing native species, changing community structures or Invasive exotics that have increased in abundance or frequency but have not yet altered Florida plant communities to the

ecological functions, or hybridizing with natives. This definition does not rely on the economic severity or geographic range extent shown by Category 1 species. These species may become Category 1 if ecological damage is demonstrated. of the problem, but on the documented ecological damage caused.

Scientific Name Common Name Zone Scientific Name Common Name Zone Scientific Name Common Name Zone Scientific Name Common Name Zone Abrus precatorius rosary pea C, S Melinis repens Natalgrass C, S Adenanthera pavonina red sandalwood S Koelreuteria elegans subsp. flamegold tree C, S Acacia auriculiformis earleaf acacia C, S Microsorum grossum4 serpent fern, wart fern S Agave sisalana sisal hemp C, S formosana Albizia julibrissin mimosa, silk tree N, C Microstegium vimineum Japanese stiltgrass N Alstonia macrophylla devil tree S Landoltia punctata spotted duckweed N, C, S Albizia lebbeck woman's tongue C, S Mimosa pigra catclaw mimosa C, S Alternanthera philoxeroides alligatorweed N, C, S Leucaena leucocephala leadtree N, C, S Ardisia crenata coral ardisia N, C, S Nandina domestica heavenly bamboo, nandina N, C Antigonon leptopus coral vine N, C, S Limnophila sessiliflora Asian marshweed N,C, S Ardisia elliptica shoebutton ardisia C, S Nephrolepis brownii Asian sword fern C, S Ardisia japonica Japanese ardisia N Livistona chinensis Chinese fan palm C, S Asparagus aethiopicus asparagus fern N, C, S Nephrolepis cordifolia sword fern N, C, S Aristolochia elegans calico flower N, C, S Macroptilium lathyroides wild bushbean N, C, S Bauhinia variegata orchid tree C, S Neyraudia reynaudiana Burma reed S (Aristolochia littoralis) Melaleuca viminalis bottlebrush C, S Bischofia javanica bishopwood C, S Nymphoides cristata crested floatingheart C, S Asystasia gangetica Ganges primrose C, S (Callistemon viminalis) Calophyllum antillanum Santa Maria S Paederia cruddasiana sewer vine S Begonia cucullata wax begonia N, C, S Melia azedarach Chinaberry N, C, S Casuarina equisetifolia Australian-pine N, C, S Paederia foetida skunk vine N, C, S Broussonetia papyrifera paper mulberry N, C, S Melinis minutiflora molasses grass C S Casuarina glauca suckering Australian-pine C, S Panicum repens torpedograss N, C, S Bruguiera gymnorrhiza large-leafed mangrove S Mikania micrantha mile-a-minute vine S Cenchrus purpureus elephantgrass, Napier grass N, C, S Pistia stratiotes water-lettuce N, C, S Callisia fragrans Inch plant C, S Momordica charantia balsam-apple N, C, S (Pennisetum purpureum) Psidium cattleianum stawberry guava C, S Casuarina cunninghamiana river sheoak C, S Murraya paniculata orange-jessamine S Cinnamomum camphora camphor-tree N, C, S Psidium guajava guava C, S Cecropia palmata trumpet tree S Myriophyllum spicatum Eurasian water-milfoil N, C, S Colocasia esculenta wild taro N, C, S Pueraria montana var. lobata kudzu N, C, S Cenchrus polystachios mission grass S Passiflora biflora twin-flowered passion vine S Colubrina asiatica latherleaf S Rhodomyrtus tomentosa downy rose-myrtle C, S (Pennisetum polystachios) Phoenix reclinata Senegal date palm C, S Cupaniopsis anacardioides carrotwood C, S Ruellia simplex Mexican petunia N, C, S Cenchrus setaceus fountain grass S Phyllostachys aurea golden bamboo N, C Deparia petersenii Japanese false spleenwort N, C Salvinia minima water spangles N, C, S (Pennisetum setaceum) Pittosporum pentandrum Taiwanese cheesewood S Dioscorea alata winged yam N, C, S Scaevola taccada beach naupaka, half-flower N, C, S Cestrum diurnum day jessamine C, S Platycerium bifurcatum staghorn fern S Dioscorea bulbifera air potato N, C, S Schefflera actinophylla schefflera, umbrella tree C, S Chamaedorea seifrizii bamboo palm S Praxelis clematidea praxelis C Dolichandra unguis-cati cat's-claw vine N, C, S Schinus terebinthifolia Brazilian pepper N, C, S Clematis terniflora Japanese clematis N, C Pteris vittata Chinese brake, ladder brake N, C, S (Macfadyena unguis-cati) Scleria lacustris Wright's nutrush C, S Cocos nucifera coconut palm S Ptychosperma elegans solitary palm S Eichhornia crassipes water-hyacinth N, C, S Scleria microcarpa* tropical nutrush C, S Crassocephalum crepidioides redflower ragleaf C, S Richardia grandiflora largeflower Mexican clover N, C, S Eugenia uniflora Surinam cherry C, S Senna pendula var. glabrata Christmas senna, climbing cassia C, S Cryptostegia madagascariensis Madagascar rubbervine C, S Ricinus communis castorbean N, C, S 1 Ficus microcarpa laurel fig C, S Solanum tampicense wetland night shade C, S Cyperus involucratus umbrella plant C, S Rotala rotundifolia dwarf rotala, roundleaf toothcup S Hydrilla verticillata hydrilla N, C, S Solanum viarum tropical soda apple N, C, S Cyperus prolifer dwarf papyrus C, S Ruellia blechum green shrimp plant N, C, S Hygrophila polysperma green hygro N, C, S Sporobolus jacquemontii West Indian dropseed C, S Dactyloctenium aegyptium Durban crow's-foot grass C, S Sesbania punicea rattlebox N, C, S Hymenachne amplexicaulis West Indian marsh grass N, C, S Syngonium podophyllum arrowhead vine N, C, S Dalbergia sissoo Indian rosewood, sissoo C, S Sida planicaulis mata-pasto C, S Imperata cylindrica cogongrass N, C, S Syzygium cumini Java plum C, S Dalechampia scandens* spurge-creeper S Solanum diphyllum twinleaf nightshade N, C, S Ipomoea aquatica water-spinach C Tectaria incisa incised halberd fern S Distimake tuberosus Spanish arbor vine, wood-rose C, S Solanum torvum turkey berry N, C, S Jasminum dichotomum Gold Coast jasmine C, S Thelypteris opulenta jeweled maidenhair fern S (Merremia tuberosa) Spermacoce verticillata3 shrubby false buttonweed C, S Jasminum fluminense Brazilian Jasmine C, S Thespesia populnea seaside mahoe C, S Dracaena hyacinthoides bowstring hemp C, S Sphagneticola trilobata wedelia N, C, S 2 Lantana strigocamara lantana, shrub verbena N, C, S Tradescantia fluminensis small-leaf spiderwort N, C (Sansevieria hyacinthoides) Stachytarpheta cayennensis nettle-leaf porterweed S Ligustrum lucidum glossy privet N, C Tradescantia spathacea oyster plant C, S Elaeagnus pungens silverthorn, thorny olive N, C Syagrus romanzoffiana queen palm C, S Ligustrum sinense Chinese privet N, C, S Triadica sebifera Chinese tallow-tree N, C, S Elaeagnus umbellata autumn olive, silverberry N Syzygium jambos Malabar plum, rose-apple N, C, S Lonicera japonica Japanese honeysuckle N, C, S (Sapium sebiferum) Epipremnum pinnatum cv. pothos C, S Talipariti tiliaceum mahoe, sea hibiscus C, S Ludwigia peruviana Peruvian primrosewillow N, C, S Urena lobata Caesar's weed N, C, S ‘Aureum’ Terminalia catappa tropical-almond C, S Lumnitzera racemosa black mangrove S Urochloa mutica paragrass N, C, S Eulophia graminea Chinese crown orchid C, S Terminalia muelleri Australian–almond C, S Luziola subintegra Tropical American watergrass S Vitex rotundifolia beach vitex N Ficus altissima council tree, false banyan S Tribulus cistoides puncture vine, burr-nut N, C, S Lygodium japonicum Japanese climbing fern N, C, S Flacourtia indica governor's plum S Urochloa maxima Guineagrass N, C, S Lygodium microphyllum Old World climbing fern N, C, S Hemarthria altissima limpograss C, S (Panicum maximum) Manilkara zapota sapodilla S Heteropterys brachtiata redwing S Vernicia fordii tung-oil tree N, C, S Melaleuca quinquenervia melaleuca, paper bark C, S Hyparrhenia rufa jaragua N, C, S Vitex trifolia simple-leaf chastetree C, S Ipomoea carnea subsp fistulosa shrub morning-glory C, S Washingtonia robusta Washington fan palm C, S 1 Does not include Ficus microcarpa var. fuyuensis, which is sold as “green island ficus”. Kalanchoe x houghtonii mother of millions N, C, S Wisteria sinensis Chinese wisteria N, C 2 Historically this non-native has been referred to as Lantana camara, a species not known to occur in Florida. Kalanchoe pinnata life plant C, S Xanthosoma sagittifolium malanga, elephant ear N, C, S 3 Does not include the native endemic Spermacoce neoterminalis. 4 Microsorum grossum has been previously misidentified as Microsorum scolopendria. * Added to the FLEPPC List of Invasive Species in 2019. Plant names are those published in the Atlas of Florida Plants (http://www.florida.plantatlas.usf.edu). For historical species nomenclature see “Guide to Vascular Plants of Florida Third Edition.” Wunderlin and Hansen, University of Florida Press. 2011.

APPENDIX C IFAS Invasive Plant Species

Management Techniques

Buccaneer Estates Indigenous Preserve Management Plan March 2021

SP 242

Integrated Management of Non-Native Plants in Natural Areas of Florida1 Stephen F. Enloe, Ken Langeland, Jason Ferrell, Brent Sellers, and Greg MacDonald2

Introduction Regardless of how they arrived, these 1,400+ non-native plants grew so well in Florida that they established and Florida’s natural areas encompass an incredible diversity reproduced on their own and spread into natural areas. of native plants and animals and provide a wide array of Out of these 1,400+ species, approximately 165 (11%) are ecosystem services that benefit Florida greatly. Within the considered invasive and may disrupt ecosystem services state, there are almost ten million acres of local, state, and vital to the integrity of Florida natural areas (FLEPPC federal public lands currently managed as natural areas for 2017). Among these, approximately 100 species require conservation. While natural areas are conservation lands aggressive management. that have been set aside for the purpose of preserving (or restoring) native plant and animal communities, they do Management of invasive vegetation in natural areas require active management. One of the greatest manage- requires control methods that will minimize damage to ment issues in natural areas is invasive plants. Invasive non-target vegetation and soil. This need for caution often plants are species that are not native to the ecosystem under necessitates more time and effort than weed management consideration and whose introduction causes or is likely to in agricultural, industrial, or right-of-way settings does. cause economic or environmental harm or harm to human Certain types of vegetation, such as woody or sprawling health. Invasive plants represent a subset of non-native vegetation, may require removal of standing plant material plants that have been introduced into Florida. Of the even after they have been killed if the presence of standing approximately 4,798 plant species growing without cultiva- material increases fire hazard, reduces aesthetic appeal, tion in Florida, 31% are non-native (Wunderlin et al. 2018). or has the potential to cause harm as it decays and falls. Many of these non-native plants were originally introduced Control methods include cultural, preventative, manual, as garden ornamentals, agricultural crops, forages, or soil and mechanical removal, biological control, physical stabilizers. Others were accidentally introduced as con- controls, and herbicides. Generally, these tools are utilized taminants of seed or as hitchhikers on animals or materials. as part of a comprehensive management plan that considers

1. This document is SP 242, one of a series of the Agronomy Department, UF/IFAS Extension. Original publication date January 1997. Revised July 2018. The original document was prepared in cooperation with the Metropolitan Dade County Park and Recreation Department, Natural Areas Management, and the Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council. Visit the EDIS website at http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu.

2. Stephen F. Enloe, associate professor; Ken Langeland, professor emeritus; Jason Ferrell, professor, Agronomy Department, UF/IFAS Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants; Brent Sellers, professor, Agronomy Department, UF/IFAS Range Cattle Research and Education Center; and Greg MacDonald, professor, Agronomy Department, UF/IFAS Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants; UF/IFAS Extension, Gainesville, FL 32611.

The use of trade names in this publication is solely for the purpose of providing specific information. UF/IFAS does not guarantee or warranty the products named, and references to them in this publication do not signify our approval to the exclusion of other products of suitable composition. All chemicals should be used in accordance with directions on the manufacturer’s label. Use pesticides safely. Read and follow directions on the manufacturer’s label.

The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) is an Equal Opportunity Institution authorized to provide research, educational information and other services only to individuals and institutions that function with non-discrimination with respect to race, creed, color, religion, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, political opinions or affiliations. For more information on obtaining other UF/IFAS Extension publications, contact your county’s UF/IFAS Extension office.

U.S. Department of Agriculture, UF/IFAS Extension Service, University of Florida, IFAS, Florida A & M University Cooperative Extension Program, and Boards of County Commissioners Cooperating. Nick T. Place, dean for UF/IFAS Extension. a wide range of issues to control invasive plants and protect Plant species included in this publication are not limited the native plants of a given natural area. These tools are not to either of these lists. They are included because they have silver bullets and cannot be expected to solve invasive plant warranted control measures in at least one natural area problems with a one-time shot. Eradication, which is the in the state and should be viewed as potentially invasive complete elimination of all living propagules of a species, is in other natural areas. Some of the plants are still used in extremely difficult and often infeasible for well-established landscaping and sold in the nursery industry. invasive plants. Without a clear management plan and long-term commitment, most single invasive plant control Mention of species in this publication does not necessarily efforts result in short-lived success. mean UF/IFAS recommends limitation of their use. The UF/IFAS Assessment of Non-Native Plants in Florida’s This publication provides land managers in Florida with Natural Areas is used by UF/IFAS to evaluate the invasive- current methods used to manage non-native plants. It does ness of non-native plants in Florida relative to UF/IFAS not address identification of plant species. For information recommendations. The results of this assessment can on identification and recognition of many invasive plant be viewed on the UF/IFAS Assessment website: https:// species, consult Identification and Biology of Nonnative assessment.ifas.ufl.edu/. The UF/IFAS assessment is not Plants in Florida’s Natural Areas, 2nd Ed. by K. A. Langeland, regulatory. However, all UF/IFAS employees are required H. M. Cherry, C. M. McCormick, and K. A. Craddock to follow the results of the assessment when making plant Burks (2008), which is available from the UF/IFAS Exten- species recommendations. sion Bookstore (http://ifasbooks.ifas.ufl.edu). Finally, the removal of vegetation in certain areas such Regulatory Agencies, Permits, as public waters and wetlands is regulated by state and local agencies. A permit may be required. For questions Plant Lists, and the UF/IFAS regarding permits to control vegetation in public waters, Assessment please visit the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Invasive Plant Management Section website: There has been much confusion over the legal ramifications http://www.myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/invasive-plants/. of listing certain plants as invasive. The best example of this The FWC Invasive Plant Management Section is the lead is the Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council (FLEPPC) Invasive agency in Florida responsible for coordinating and funding Plant List. FLEPPC is a nonprofit professional organiza- two statewide programs that control invasive upland and tion founded in 1984 to increase public awareness of the aquatic plants on public conservation lands and waterways significant threat that non-native invasive plant species throughout the state. The agency also ensures that pose to native species, communities, and ecosystems, and beneficial native aquatic plants in Florida’s ponds, lakes, to develop integrated management and control strategies to and rivers are protected through permitting programs and halt the spread of exotic species in natural areas. FLEPPC funding of research to find more cost-effective management maintains a list of plant species considered by a committee techniques. of botanists, ecologists, and land managers to be invasive in Florida. This list is available on the FLEPPC website http://( For regulatory questions regarding vegetation control in www.fleppc.org). The purpose of the FLEPPC list is to alert wetlands, contact the Water Management District (WMD) land managers to plant species that have demonstrated in which you are located. These can be found at the invasiveness in Florida. However, the list does not have Florida Department of Environmental Protection website: statutory authority. https://floridadep.gov/water-policy/water-policy/content/ water-management-districts. Plants that are legally regulated by statute are listed on the Florida Noxious Weed List, which can be found on Acknowledgements the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services website (http://www.freshfromflorida.com/ The following individuals have provided information for Divisions-Offices/Plant-Industry/Bureaus-and-Services/ this or previous editions of Integrated Management of Bureau-of-Entomology-Nematology-Plant-Pathology/ Nonnative Plants in Natural Areas of Florida: Mike Bodle, Botany/Noxious-Weeds). There may also be local, county, Jim Burney, Mathew Cole, Rodell Collins, Jim Cuda, or city ordinances regarding certain plants, but they are Scott Ditmarsen, Jim Duquesnel, Roger Hammer, Dallas beyond the scope of this publication. Hazelton, Jeff Hutchinson, Greg Jubinsky, Chris Key, Bill Kline, Mike Link, Mark Ludlow, Joe Maguire, Chris Marble,

Integrated Management of Non-Native Plants in Natural Areas of Florida 2 Michael Meisenburg, Vince Miller, Patrick Minogue, Shawn effectiveness and host specificity. In many cases, biological Moore, Romeo Morua, Brian Nelson, Jose Prieto, Jerry control may not be possible due to a lack of host-specific Renny, Adolfo Santiago, and Elroy Timmer. agents. However, research on Brazilian peppertree and Old World climbing fern is ongoing, and new efforts are Control Methods underway on cogongrass, earleaf acacia, and downy rose myrtle. Biological control programs are typically imple- Education and Prevention mented by state and federal agencies, and the potential role Public education can significantly reduce the introduction of individual resource managers and the public will depend and spread of invasive plants. Many in the general public on the particular action being implemented. Current are still unaware of problems caused by invasive plants and information on the status of these and other biological unable to recognize invasive species. There are numerous control programs can be found at http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ educational resources available online. A great starting topic_biological_control_of_weeds. point is the UF/IFAS Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants (http://plants.ifas.ufl.edu/). Its webpage provides In addition to insects and pathogens, the use of herbivores information on the identification, history, biology, ecology, such as cattle, sheep, goats, and sterile grass carp is possible and control of hundreds of species. Additionally, the Center for suppression or control of certain invasive plants. For ex- hosts the Florida Invasive Plant Education Initiative and ample, kudzu has been reported to be effectively controlled Curriculum, which is focused on providing material for with all classes of livestock (Loewenstein and Enloe 2014). educators. Other educational sites tailored specifically to Goats are very effective for controlling Chinese privet and the general public include PlayCleanGo.org and invasive. many other invasive shrubs. However, use of herbivores for org. weed control on public lands in Florida is limited primarily due to higher costs of intensive grazing management. Graz- Biological Control ing animals are often used on private lands across Florida to Classical biological control is the introduction of reproduc- manage invasive plants. ing populations of foreign insects or diseases that are host-specific and provide suppression of the target weed. Manual Removal Biological control efforts for weeds have a long history in Manual removal is a labor-intensive but often major Florida, but they have primarily focused on aquatic weeds, component of effective invasive plant control. Seedlings and including alligatorweed, waterhyacinth, water lettuce, small saplings can sometimes be pulled from the ground, salvinia, and hydrilla. These efforts have yielded mixed but even small seedlings of some plants have tenacious outcomes, with the most effective results on alligatorweed roots that will prevent extraction or cause them to break and the least effective on hydrilla and water lettuce. In at the root collar. Plants that break off at the ground will more recent years, efforts to develop biological controls for often resprout, and small root fragments left in the ground natural area weeds have focused on air potato (Dioscorea may produce new plants. Therefore, repeated hand pulling bulbifera), melaleuca (Melaleuca quinquenervia), tropical or follow-up with herbicide applications is often necessary. soda apple (Solanum viarum), Brazilian pepper (Schinus Hand pulling is easiest in sandy soils for immature shallow- terebinthifolia), and Old World climbing fern (Lygodium rooted plants and most difficult in clay and rocky soils for microphyllum) (Table 1). Air potato biocontrol is quickly well-established plants with extensive root systems. becoming a success story in many areas of Florida. The air potato leaf beetle has provided a high level of suppression, Manual removal may require a wide variety of implements, greatly reducing the number of aerial bulbils produced in including shovels, saws, pick axes, Pulaski tools, and many natural areas. Additionally, the suite of biocontrols re- woody plant extraction tools such as the Uprooter® or the leased for melaleuca has been very effective in suppressing Extractigator®. melaleuca growth and reproduction, especially after initial control efforts with herbicides and prescribed fire have been Regardless of the method, one major consideration in implemented. Tropical soda apple has declined in many manual removal is disposal of the biomass after removal. areas following the release of Gratiana boliviana in 2003. Leaving it on the ground is often risky because stems of While these are promising, the majority of invasive plants many species left on moist soils will root and establish new in natural areas in Florida still do not have biocontrol op- plants. Melaleuca, Tradescantia, Ligustrum, Phyllostachys, tions. Classical biological control is a slow process requiring Selenicereus (Hylocereus), Kalanchoe, and Epipremnum are intensive vetting of prospective candidates to ensure both species that have spread in this manner. If removed biomass

Integrated Management of Non-Native Plants in Natural Areas of Florida 3 cannot be destroyed by methods such as burning, it should communities, and the subsequent management effects of be piled in a delineated area that can be monitored where fire on the altered communities. new plants can be controlled as they appear. Understanding the reproductive biology of the target and A second major consideration in manual removal is the nontarget plant species is critical to effective use of any extensive soil disturbance that often occurs in the process. control methods, especially fire management, that require Plant roots are often well-anchored in the soil; pulling significant preparation time. Important opportunities plants may disrupt soil structure. This type of soil distur- exist if management tools can be applied to habitats where bance may result in further invasion by other non-native non-native invasive species flower or set seed at different plant species and require additional follow-up control times than the native species. measures. PRESCRIBED BURNING Mechanical Removal Fire is a normal part of most of Florida’s ecosystems. Native Mechanical removal involves the use of bulldozers or species have developed varying degrees of fire tolerance. specialized logging equipment (skid steer mulchers) to Throughout much of Florida, suppression of fire during remove woody plants. Intense follow-up with other control this century has altered historical plant communities, such methods is essential after the use of heavy equipment as flatwood and oak scrub communities, enhancing fire- because disturbance of the soil creates favorable conditions intolerant species and reducing the coverage of species that for regrowth from seeds and root fragments as well as possess fire adaptations. Within these communities, the recolonization by invasive non-native plants. Plans for fire-tolerant woody species have lingered in smaller num- management and replanting of sites with native vegetation bers, and less fire-tolerant species have replaced ephemeral following mechanical removal should be carefully devel- forbs. Fire ecologists are developing an understanding of oped prior to implementation. Mechanical removal may the amount, frequency, timing, and intensity of fire that not be appropriate in many natural areas because of the would best enhance the historically fire-tolerant plant spe- disturbance to soils and nontarget vegetation. cies, but little is known about how such a fire management regime could best be used to suppress invasive species. Cultural Practices In general, fire can be used to suppress plant growth and Prescribed burning and water level manipulation are kill certain plants that are not fire-tolerant. Woody species cultural practices that are used in management of pastures, are often reduced, but effects are less noticeable on herba- rangeland, and commercial forests. In certain situations, ceous species. Some information has been published on they may be appropriate for vegetation management in responses of individual Florida plant species, but very little natural areas. One important consideration is the degree of is known about the vast majority of native plant species. degradation of the area in question. Cultural practices may Even less is known about invasive exotic species. Tolerance affect all parts of the habitat, including native species. If the to fire can sometimes be predicted in species that have thick habitat is so badly degraded that the need to reduce invasive bark or seeds in the soil or in the canopy; are adapted to plants strongly outweighs consideration of remaining native fire (either tolerant of high temperature or requiring fire species, more aggressive control strategies can be consid- for seed release or germination); and have seeds that are ered. In less degraded areas, more careful use of integrated disbursed over a wide area. methods may be more appropriate. Added biomass by invasive plants can result in hotter fires The land use history of an area is critical in understanding and greatly increase the risk of fires spreading to inhabited the effects of fire and flooding on the resulting plant areas. In these situations, use of fire to reduce standing species composition. Past practices affect soil structure, biomass of invasive species may protect the remaining plant organic matter content, species seed bank (both native populations more effectively than inaction, but impacts to and invasive non-native species), and species composition. nontarget native species will occur. Under these conditions, While past farming and timber management practices may the expense of reducing standing biomass of invasive plant influence the outcome of cultural management, very little species might be justified by the savings on subsequent fire is known about the effects of specific historical practices. suppression. Additionally, in certain cases, invasion of tree Similar management practices conducted in areas with stands by exotic vines and other climbing plants has greatly different histories may achieve very different results. Even less is known about the effects of invasive plants in these

Integrated Management of Non-Native Plants in Natural Areas of Florida 4 increased the risk of canopy (crown) fires and the resulting habitat’s susceptibility to invasion, and levels that promote death of mature trees. invasive species can be avoided, but rarely are these man- agement options adaptable to natural areas. Effects of a single burn are hard to predict. Under certain conditions, a single fire effect can persist for several grow- Carefully timed water level increases after mechanical ing seasons. The intensity of the fire, the timing (fire during removal, prescribed fire, or herbicide treatment of invasive the growing season can be more destructive than during species has been one of the most effective methods of water dormant seasons), and the plant species involved determine level manipulation. This integrated approach can provide the duration of the effect. Smoke is now recognized as a effective control of subsequent germination and, with some triggering mechanism for germination in fire-dependent species, resprouting. This is often most easily accomplished and some non-fire-dependent species, so plant species during the transition from the dry to the wet season in composition following a burn is due in part to the type of early summer when water levels typically begin to increase. fire and the distribution of its smoke. A single burn may or Specific methods applicable to natural areas have not been may not start a replacement sequence (succession) with its clearly described. own effects on species composition. REESTABLISHMENT OF NATIVE PLANT Fire’s potential to play a logical role in suppression or SPECIES elimination of invasive exotic plant species depends on Planting native species can be an effective but expensive many factors. In addition to the aforementioned factors, way to reduce the likelihood of exotic species reinvasion the resource manager must consider potential fire effects on following removal of non-native species. Commercial soil loss and water quality, historical and economic impacts plant nurseries currently offer seeds and plants of several to buildings, possible harm to human life, and the potential wetland and upland species. Because some species cover a for a fire’s escape to nontarget areas. wide range of habitats and latitudes, care should be taken to obtain plant material suitable to the habitat under consid- Fire has been successfully used to manage plant species in eration. Seed collected from plants growing in northern grasslands, to maintain open savannahs (scattered trees in latitudes may do poorly in Florida. Introduction of seeds, habitats dominated by herbaceous species), and to promote plant parts, or whole plants should include thorough seral (fire-induced or fire-tolerant) stages of forest succes- screening for any unwanted plant or animal pests. sion. However, very little is known about the use of fire to enhance native species while reducing invasive exotic plant It often takes several years for plantings to become thor- species. As a final word of caution regarding the use of fire, oughly established. Extra water, nutrients, and protection overly frequent burning has been shown to reduce plant from fire and pests may be necessary for a while. During diversity under many conditions. It is also possible that this establishment phase, past management practices may increased fire frequency could provide opportunities for also have to be altered to avoid injury to the plantings. invasive plants to enter new areas. For example, if periodic burning or flooding is part of the current management practice, it may be necessary to reduce WATER LEVEL MANIPULATION AND the intensity or duration until the plantings are able to HYDROLOGIC RESTORATION exhibit their typical resistance to injury. Unfortunately, little Some success has been achieved by regulating water levels is known about requirements for successful establishment to reduce invasive plant species in aquatic and wetland of many native species, and less is known about their toler- habitats. Dewatering aquatic sites reduces standing ances to cultural invasive plant management techniques. biomass. However, little else is usually achieved unless the Even when tolerances are better understood, responses site is rendered less susceptible to repeated invasion when may be affected by historical site effects, traits of particular rewatered. Planting native species may reduce the suscepti- genetic strains, site-specific nutrition, soil mycorrhizae, bility of aquatic and wetland sites in some cases. light conditions, and interactions of soil type, hydroperiod, and microclimate. In most situations, water level manipulation in reservoirs and hydrologic restoration (recreation of natural hydrologic conditions) have not provided the level of invasive plant control that was once thought achievable. Ponds and reservoirs can be constructed with steep sides to reduce a

Integrated Management of Non-Native Plants in Natural Areas of Florida 5 Chemical Control (Herbicides) as it can also be mixed with oil and applied as a basal bark TRAINING AND CERTIFICATION treatment. Anyone who applies herbicides in natural areas should have Triclopyr ester, imazapyr, fluazifop, and sethoxydim are basic training in herbicide application. This publication formulated as emulsifiable concentrates (EC). Emulsifiable only addresses topics pertinent to herbicide use in natural concentrates are compatible with oil-based diluents and areas. Therefore, the reader is expected to have prior also contain emulsifiers that allow the formulation to mix knowledge of basic herbicide application techniques. with water. Agitation is used to mix the ECs in water. They may be diluted in water for foliar applications or mixed A pesticide or its use is classified as restricted if it could with oil-based diluents for basal bark applications. cause harm to humans or to the environment unless applied by certified applicators who have the knowledge to use WHERE HERBICIDES CAN BE USED pesticides safely and effectively. The basic knowledge of No pesticide may be sold in the United States until the herbicide technology and application techniques needed United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has for safe handling and effective use of any herbicides can be reviewed the manufacturer’s application for registration obtained through restricted use pesticide certification train- and determined that use of the product will not present ing. This training is available through UF/IFAS. Certified unreasonable risk to humans or the environment. Pesticide applicators can be licensed as either public applicators or users are required by law to comply with all instructions commercial applicators. Persons must successfully complete and directions for use on pesticide labels. a general standards core examination and a category examination before they can apply to the Florida Depart- The EPA approves use of pesticides on specific sites, i.e., ment of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) for use on individual crops, terrestrial non-crop sites, or for a license. Categories applicable to target species in the aquatic areas. Only those herbicides registered by the EPA publication include the Natural Areas category and/or specifically for use in aquatic sites can be applied to plants Aquatics category. Additional information about pesticide growing in lakes, rivers, canals, etc. For terrestrial uses, applicator licensing can be found on http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu the EPA requires herbicide labels to have the following and http://www.freshfromflorida.com/Divisions-Offices/ statement: “Do not apply directly to water, to areas where Agricultural-Environmental-Services. surface water is present, or to intertidal areas below the HERBICIDE ACTIVE INGREDIENTS AND mean high mark.” (Dow AgroSciences 2008). Several active ingredients in this publication have separate products that FORMULATIONS are registered for direct application to water for control of An herbicide formulation, or product, consists of the aquatic weeds (Table 2). Other products mentioned can herbicide active ingredient dissolved in a solvent (e.g., be used in non-cropland areas and certain low-lying areas, oil, water, or alcohol) or adsorbed to a solid such as clay. including wetlands, but cannot be applied directly to water Formulations often include an adjuvant that facilitates (Table 2). spreading, sticking, and wetting of the spray solution. Special ingredients may also improve the safety, handling, ABSORPTION CHARACTERISTICS measuring, and application of the herbicide. Products Herbicides recommended in this publication for invasive mentioned in this publication contain the active ingredients plant control are systemic. They move within the plant to 2,4-D, aminocyclopyrachlor, aminopyralid, fluazifop, the site where they are active after absorption by foliage, glyphosate, hexazinone, imazamox, imazapyr, metsulfuron, roots, or bark. The following herbicides can be absorbed by sethoxydim, and triclopyr (Table 2). plant leaves and are effective for foliar applications: 2,4-D, aminocyclopyrachlor, aminopyralid, glyphosate, imazamox, The active ingredients 2,4-D amine, aminopyralid, imazapyr, metsulfuron, and triclopyr. Addition of an appro- aminocyclopyrachlor, triclopyr amine, triclopyr acid, priate surfactant, as recommended on the herbicide label, is triclopyr choline, imazamox, imazapyr, and hexazinone are essential. Triclopyr, 2,4-D, and glyphosate are adsorbed by formulated as water-soluble liquids (L). They are generally soils or broken down quickly in soil and are not absorbed not compatible with oil-based diluents and are instead effectively by plant roots. However, aminopyralid, ami- diluted in water for foliar applications. For cut-stump nocyclopyrachlor, imazamox, imazapyr, hexazinone, and applications, they are diluted in water or applied in their metsulfuron are readily absorbed by plant roots (Table 3). concentrated form. These ingredients are not normally used for basal bark applications. Triclopyr acid is the exception,

Integrated Management of Non-Native Plants in Natural Areas of Florida 6 Only oil-soluble herbicide formulations (i.e., emulsifiable Care must also be taken to avoid unwanted drift of concentrates) are absorbed readily through tree bark. herbicide spray to nontarget plants when applications are made. Particulate drift can be minimized by avoiding windy BEHAVIOR IN SOILS conditions while spraying and by using low pressures and Herbicides used for invasive plant control vary in their large nozzle orifices. Volatile compounds such as ester persistence and sorption to soils (Table 3). The most formulations may cause nontarget damage due to vapor important factor is the ability of various soil types to drift when applied on hot days. This damage, which may be chemically bind herbicides. Soil-applied herbicides, such observed as wilting or curling leaves, has been minimal and as hexazinone, have label recommendations that vary has not caused permanent harm to most woody nontarget the application rate for different types of soils. In general, plants. soils with more organic matter and/or clay have greater capacities for binding herbicides than coarse, sandy soils WILDLIFE TOXICITY and require higher application rates. Because woody Invasive plant management is often conducted in natural plants are a problem on a range of Florida soils, including areas to maintain or restore wildlife habitat. Therefore, it highly organic muck, sand, and very thin soil layers over is essential that the herbicides themselves are not toxic limestone, a broad range of herbicide behavior in different to wildlife. Assessment of risk to wildlife is conducted as soils can be expected. Generally, soil activity can be a part of the registration procedure for herbicides and is double-edged sword: it can improve herbicide activity (i.e., determined as the product of hazard and exposure. Hazard imazapyr for cogongrass control) but potentially result is measured as the toxicity of the herbicide to test animals, in nontarget damage (i.e., imazapyr damage on oaks). and exposure depends on the use and persistence of the Applicators should use herbicides with soil residual activity compound. Herbicides recommended in this publication carefully to prevent nontarget issues. have shown very low toxicity to wildlife with the exception

of the relatively low LC50 of triclopyr ester (0.87 ppm) SELECTIVITY and fluazifop (0.53 ppm) for fish. Neither of these can be Herbicide selectivity is highly desirable in natural areas as applied directly to water (Table 3). Ester formulations are protection of native plant species is critical. The ability to toxic to fish because they irritate gill surfaces. However, selectively control target vegetation with herbicides without because triclopyr ester and fluazifop are not applied directly harming nontarget plants is related to the sensitivities to water, are absorbed by soil particles, and have low of target and nontarget plants, absorption and chemical persistence, exposure is low, which results in low risk when characteristics of the herbicides, and placement. properly used.

Herbicides vary in their potential to damage nontarget veg- Herbicide Application Methods etation. Unwanted results can be prevented or minimized Foliar Applications by making the best choice of herbicides in conjunction with Herbicide in foliar applications is diluted in water and careful application. Fluazifop and sethoxydim, which kill applied to the leaves with aerial or ground equipment. many grasses, can be used to selectively manage invasive Dilution is usually about 20 parts water to 1 part herbicide grass species among nontarget broadleaf plant species. concentrate (5%) for aerial applications, and 30 to 400 Formulations that contain the active ingredients 2,4-D, parts water to 1 part herbicide concentrate (3.0–0.25%) metsulfuron, and triclopyr can often be used selectively when making ground applications for woody plant control. because many broadleaf species are more sensitive to them Adjuvants, such as surfactants, drift control agents, or other than perennial grasses are. Because 2,4-D, triclopyr, and spray modifiers, are often added to the spray mix as speci- glyphosate have little root activity and break down quickly fied on the herbicide label. Ground equipment ranges from (Table 2), they have little potential for causing nontarget handheld spray bottles for applications to small individual damage due to root absorption when carefully applied to plants to large high-pressure vehicle- or boat-mounted target vegetation. However, caution must be used with sprayers for larger areas. Foliar applications can either be root-active herbicides (i.e., aminocyclopyrachlor, amino- directed, to minimize damage to nontarget vegetation, or pyralid, hexazinone, and imazapyr) to minimize damage to broadcast. Broadcast applications are used where damage nontarget vegetation by root absorption. In shallow, porous to nontarget vegetation is not a concern or where a selective soils, extra care should be taken to avoid root absorption of herbicide is involved. all herbicides by nontarget plants.

Integrated Management of Non-Native Plants in Natural Areas of Florida 7 For directed spray or selective applications, backpack There are also two modified methods using the basal bark sprayers such as the Solo Model 475 with diaphragm pump approach. The first is basala stem treatment. This is similar or Hudson SP1 are commonly used. A spray tip such as a to basal bark, except it is used for non-woody to semi- TP 2503 or TP 2504 produces large spray droplets to reduce woody species such as bowstring hemp, or large vines such spray drift. The 2503 spray tips may be installed in the spray as golden pothos. The lower section of stems is carefully wand that comes with the backpack sprayer, or a Model 30 treated in this method. The second is an apical bud treat- GunJet with the 2503 or 2504 spray tip may be attached to ment. This is often done for invasive palm trees and certain any backpack spray unit. If an adjustable tip is used, a TeeJet herbaceous plants such as oyster plant. In this treatment, 5500 or equivalent is recommended. All backpack sprayers the terminal growing point of each stem is sprayed until and spray guns should have chemical-resistant seals for the wet with the typical triclopyr ester herbicide at 10–20% in herbicides being used. an oil carrier. For palms, this is useful for solitary trunked palms but much more difficult for multi-stemmed clusters. Power-driven ground equipment is commonly used to Care should be taken to avoid the sharp, spiny growth of spray large and/or tall plants or large areas. Properly certain palms, most notably the Senegal date palm. adjusted equipment should deliver a uniform spray with nozzle pressures of about 30 to 80 psi and should generate For all basal bark or modified basal bark approaches, the large spray droplets to reduce potential for spray drift. spray tip should be a narrow angle (15–25°), flat fan-tip Higher spray pressures produce many small spray particles nozzle such as a TP 1502, TP 1503, or TP 2502/TP 2503, a that may drift onto sensitive desirable plants adjacent to solid cone nozzle, or an adjustable cone jet such as a TeeJet the treated area. Application is performed by directing the 5500-X4 or 5500-X5 or equivalent. Any of these tips can spray onto the target foliage. Be sure to spray the growing be installed in the spray wand that comes with the spray tips and terminal leader. Techniques must be employed to unit. A good alternative is a brass tip shutoff wand, such as prevent the spray from coming into contact with foliage of a Spraying Systems Model 31 with brass extension and tip desirable plants. shutoff or a Spraying Systems Model 30 GunJet. A TP-0001/ TP-0002 tip or DE-1/DE-2 disc should be used with the Commonly used power equipment consists of portable, Model 30 GunJet. The GunJet can be attached to most power-driven spray units mounted on a truck or all-terrain backpack spray units that produce pressures between 20 vehicle. A wide variety of pumps, tanks, and accessories and 50 psi. All backpack sprayers and spray guns should is used. The most common and maintenance-free pump have chemical-resistant seals for the herbicides and carriers is a diaphragm pump driven by a gasoline engine, or a in use. self-contained, 12-volt pump unit. Routinely used spray guns are Spraying Systems Model 2 and 2A GunJets. These Hack-and-Squirt, Frill, and Girdle Applications are adjustable spray guns that produce patterns ranging These techniques involve making angled downward cuts from a solid stream to a wide cone spray. These spray guns through the bark and cambium into the shallow sapwood may produce small spray particles at the cone spray setting, with a machete or hatchet around the circumference of the resulting in spray drift. A Model 30 GunJet with a TeeJet tree. A concentrated herbicide solution is then applied into 5500-X10 adjustable tip is very effective for power sprayers. the cuts, often with a squirt bottle. Cuts should be made in Dual spray GunJets that accommodate two flat spray tips a continuous or overlapping pattern or in an evenly spaced with different volumes and patterns are available. The spray pattern as directed by the herbicide label. Frill cuts are gun can immediately be switched from one spray tip to the used for species with pliable bark that can almost be peeled other by rotating the spray head. The most commonly used down to make a larger cup for the herbicide application. spray tips for the spray gun are TP 0512, TP 4010, or TP Girdling is an extreme hack approach where a band of bark, 4020. These tips produce few fine-spray particles, so spray often 4 to 6 inches wide, is removed. Girdling is used for drift potential is reduced. control of melaleuca and some other large, difficult tree species. Chainsaw girdling is a variant that makes a single Basal Bark Applications continuous cut around the entire circumference of the tree. In basal bark applications, herbicide is applied, commonly It has been effective for largeCasuarina trees. In general, with a backpack sprayer, directly to the bark around the girdling is very labor-intensive and greatly reduces crew circumference of each stem or tree up to 12–18 inches productivity. When using the hack-and-squirt technique, above the ground. The herbicide must be in an oil-soluble do not make multiple cuts directly above or below each formulation (EC). If it is not in a ready-to-use form, it other. This will inhibit movement of the herbicide. may be mixed with a specially formulated penetrating oil.

Integrated Management of Non-Native Plants in Natural Areas of Florida 8 Although water- or oil-soluble formulations can be used for phloem and cambium layer. Depending on label instruc- frill or girdle applications, water-soluble formulations are tions, the entire stump is sometimes covered with dilute often preferred. Backpack sprayers, 1- to 2-gallon pump-up herbicide solution. Water- or oil-soluble formulations can sprayers, or smaller 32-ounce spray bottles are suitable for be used. Spray equipment can be used as long as it contains these applications. Spray bottles should contain chemically chemical-resistant seals. Best results are obtained if the resistant seals such as Viton. herbicide is applied no more than one hour after cutting, especially when using a water-soluble formulation. With Incision Point Application less susceptible species, seconds can count. Oil-soluble Incision point application (IPA) is a modified version of formulations can be effective when applied after a few hack-and-squirt that is new for invasive plant control. days; they should be applied to the sides of the stump as IPA utilizes a reduced number of hacks per stem and well. This is a hybrid cut stump plus basal bark application concentrated herbicide (100%, no diluent) in very small method. amounts (0.5 mL/hack) compared to traditional hack-and- squirt, frill, or girdle treatments. Herbicides recently tested Soil Applications for IPA in Florida include Method (aminocyclopyrachlor) A soil application of granular herbicide formulations can be and Milestone (aminopyralid). For single-stemmed trees, applied by handheld spreaders, specially designed blowers, Method has been shown to be effective on Chinese tallow or air. Soil-applied water-soluble or water-dispersible (trees up to 6 inches DBH), tung (trees up to 8 inches formulations can be used with the same type of equipment DBH), and bishopwood (trees up to 8 inches DBH) with a described for foliar applications or spotguns that can single hack and 0.5 mL of 100% herbicide. Milestone has accurately deliver a measured amount of herbicide. This is also been found to be effective on those species at similar generally limited to hexazinone and imazapyr for certain sizes. Method has also given approximately 79% kill of invasive plants. Soil applications are often reserved for very melaleuca and Australian pine for trees ranging from 2–10 specific situations. For example, hexazinone has been used inches in diameter. In melaleuca, however, it is very difficult for melaleuca control in south Florida in seasonally dry to get the small quantity of herbicide through the thick bark areas, and imazapyr has been used for bamboo control. to the cambium without a needle injection system. More Both treatments will injure or kill oaks and other nontarget research is needed on both of these species. Limited obser- vegetation and should only be used in very specific vations suggest mimosa is also susceptible to IPA. Leadtree, conditions. a similar woody legume, was not consistently killed with this approach. Colorants: Marker Dyes and Spray Indicators Marker dyes and spray indicators are useful for keeping For the multi-stemmed Brazilian peppertree, both Method track of vegetation that has been treated when making and Milestone are extremely effective when one hack is applications to large numbers of trees or stumps. They made on each main stem and treated with 0.5 mL of either come in a few colors including blue, red, and purple. Color herbicide. However, this can result in high application rates contrast is most important when selecting a product. Red for individual trees with several stems, greatly limiting spray indicators may not be visible for applicators with red/ the number of individual multi-stemmed trees that can green color blindness. Cleanup is generally easier for spray be treated on a per acre basis. The approach is already indicators than for true dyes. These colorants are a useful allowable for Method but is not yet labeled for Milestone. indicator of the applicator’s efficiency and precision. They Research is ongoing to reduce this to fewer hacks per are also useful for training new crew members who have multi-stemmed shrub. not had previous experience using a backpack sprayer.

Cut Stump Treatments Herbicide Control Methods for Invasive Non- Stump treatments are applied after cutting and removing Native Plants large trees or brush. The concentrated or diluted herbicide Herbicide control methods used by land managers in is sprayed or painted onto the cut surface of the stump Florida for invasive non-native plants are listed in Table 5. immediately after cutting. The cut surface should be as level All herbicides listed have been found to be effective under as possible so that the herbicide solution does not run off. certain circumstances. However, many factors can affect Sweep off dirt and sawdust that may prevent the stump the performance of an herbicide application; therefore, from taking up the herbicide solution. The herbicide is results may vary. Choice of application method, herbicide, usually applied in a band around the outer 2 inches of the and herbicide rate or concentration for individual species entire circumference. This ensures good coverage of the

Integrated Management of Non-Native Plants in Natural Areas of Florida 9 will depend on environmental conditions and personal Shaner, D. L. (ed.) 2014. Herbicide Handbook. 10th edition. experience. Treatment success may vary from site to site Champaign, IL: Weed Science Society of America. and sometimes even within the same site. These herbicide recommendations are not exhaustive. Imazapyr, which is Wunderlin, R. P., B. F. Hansen, A. R. Franck, and F. B. Essig. highly effective for many species, is often not recommended 2018. Atlas of Florida Plants: Institute for Systematic Botany. due to significant concerns of nontarget damage. Accessed on July 16, 2018. http://florida.plantatlas.usf.edu/

Pesticide product labeling is the primary method of com- munication between an herbicide manufacturer and the herbicide users. It provides instructions on how to use the product safely and correctly. Changes in herbicide label directions may occur that are not concurrently updated in this publication. Because pesticide users are required by law to comply with all the instructions and directions for use on the pesticide label, no herbicide applications should be made based solely on information presented in this publication. Pesticide users must review and comply with all conditions set forth in the pesticide label.

NOTE: All dilutions of Garlon 4 basal bark and cut stump applications are made with an oil carrier. Original branded product names are used for convenience. Generic products that contain the same active ingredient may be available for many older active ingredients. Refer to Table 2 for active ingredients. References Cuda, J. P. and J. H. Frank. 2016. Florida’s Established Arthropod Weed Biological Control Agents and Their Targets. ENY-853. Gainesville: University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ in779

Dow AgroSciences. 2008. “Specimen label: Garlon® 4 Ultra.” Labels & Safety Data Sheets. Accessed on July 17, 2018. https://assets.greenbook.net/16-33-15-25-08-2017- ld7IN006.pdf

FLEPPC. 2017. “Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council’s 2017 List of Invasive Plant Species.” Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council Invasive Plant Lists. Accessed on July 17, 2018. http://bugwoodcloud.org/CDN/fleppc/ plantlists/2017/2017FLEPPCLIST-TRIFOLD-FINALAP- PROVEDBYKEN-SUBMITTEDTOALTA.pdf

Loewenstein, N. J. and S. F. Enloe. 2014. “The history and use of kudzu in the southeastern United States.” Alabama Cooperative Extension System. Accessed on July 17, 2018. http://www.aces.edu/pubs/docs/A/ANR-2221/ANR-2221. pdf

Integrated Management of Non-Native Plants in Natural Areas of Florida 10 Table 1. Established arthropod biological control agents of invasive weeds of natural areas in Florida. Modified from Cuda and Frank (2016). Weed Agent Type Origin Date1 Impact Air potato Lilioceris cheni Beetle China 2011 Widespread Brazilian peppertree Megastigmus transvaalensis Wasp South Africa Adventive Widespread Melaleuca Oxyops vitiosa Weevil Australia 1997 Widespread Boreioglycaspis melaleucae Psyllid Australia 2002 Widespread Lophodiplosis trifida Fly Australia 2008 Local Old World climbing Neomusotima conspurcatalis Moth Australia, Southeast 2008 Local fern Asia Floracarus perrepae Mite Australia, Southeast 2008 Local Asia Tropical soda apple Gratiana boliviana Beetle Argentina 2003 Widespread 1 Date of first release or discovery. Adventive means that the species arrived in Florida from somewhere else by any means. All others were deliberately introduced.

Integrated Management of Non-Native Plants in Natural Areas of Florida 11 Table 2. Herbicides used in natural areas of Florida.a Product Formulation Comments Many generics 2,4-D various Some products may be applied directly to water. Method Aminocyclopyrachlor High degree of soil activity. Do not apply directly to water. 21.2% SL Milestone Aminopyralid 21.1% L Do not apply directly to water. Fusilade II Fluazifop 24.5% EC Postemergence, grass-specific. Cannot be applied directly to water. Glyphosate product Glyphosate Use aquatic formulation for emergent vegetation control in and around water. examples: (isopropylamine salt) There has been a trend towards more concentrated formulations, from Roundup Roundup Custom, Rodeo, 41.0–53.8% L original (41%) to Roundup Custom and many others (53.8%). Glyphosate product AquaNeat, and many others recommendations in Table 5 can be applied to any glyphosate product with a % active ingredient in the 41–53.8% range, provided the product is appropriately labeled for use. Velpar DF Hexazinone 75% DF May cause groundwater contamination if applied to areas where soils are permeable, especially where the water table is shallow. Nontarget plants can be damaged by root absorption. Velpar L Hexazinone 25% L May cause groundwater contamination if applied to areas where soils are permeable, especially where the water table is shallow. Nontarget plants can be damaged by root absorption. Plateau and generics Imazapic 22.2% SL Highly soil active. Clearcast Imazamox 12.1% L Can be applied directly to water. Arsenal, Habitat, Polaris Imazapyr 22.6% L Can be applied directly to water. Nontarget plants can be damaged by root absorption. Stalker Imazapyr 22.6% L May be applied to non-irrigation ditch banks. Nontarget plants can be damaged by root absorption. Escort XP Metsulfuron 60% DF May not be applied directly to water. 24(c) SLN label for control of Old World climbing fern in freshwater marshes, mesic forests, hydric forests, Everglades tree islands, and Everglades prairie scrub. TIGR Sethoxydim 18% EC 24(c) label for use on emergent aquatic grasses in water Trycera Triclopyr acid 29.4% L Acid formulation of triclopyr. May be slightly less selective than other triclopyr formulations. Aquatic use permitted. Brush-B-Gon Brush Killer Triclopyr amine Homeowner formulations readily available in retail stores. Much lower concentration 8.0–8.8% L than Garlon 3A and may require follow-up applications. Garlon 3A, Renovate, and Triclopyr amine 44.4% L Water-soluble triclopyr formulation for foliar and cut stump treatments. Use aquatic generics labeled product for emergent vegetation. Vastlan Triclopyr choline 39% L New water-soluble formulation for foliar and cut stump treatments. Signal word reduced to warning for this formulation compared to Garlon 3A and Trycera. Garlon 4 Ultra and generics Triclopyr ester 61.6% L Oil-soluble formulation for basal bark and cut stump, but can be mixed with water and used for foliar treatments. Do not apply directly to water. Pathfinder II Triclopyr ester 13.6% L Ready-to-use oil-soluble formulation for basal bark and cut stump treatments. Do not apply directly to water. a Alphabetical by active ingredient. All concentrations are active ingredients. Original, branded-product names are used for convenience. Generic products that contain the same active ingredient may be available.

Integrated Management of Non-Native Plants in Natural Areas of Florida 12 Table 3. Soil behavior of herbicides commonly used in natural areas of Florida (Shaner 2014). Half-Life (days) Mobility in Soil Absorption by Plant Roots 2,4-D amine 10 Moderate Slight Aminocyclopyrachlor 114–433 High High Aminopyralid 30 Low Moderate Fluazifop 15 Low Negligible Glyphosate 47 Negligible Slight Imazapic 120 Moderate High Imazamox 20–30 Low Moderate Imazapyr 25–142 Mobile High Hexazinone 90 Moderate High Metsulfuron 30 Moderate High Sethoxydim 5 Negligible Slight Triclopyr 30 Low Slight Table 4. Toxicity of herbicides commonly used in natural areas of Florida (Shaner 2014). Bobwhite Quail 8-Day Laboratory Rat 96-Hr Oral Bluegill Sunfish 96-Hr a a b Dietary LD50 LD50 LC50 2,4-D amine >5,620 >1,000 524 Aminocyclopyrachlor >2,075 >5,000 >120 Aminopyralid >2,250 >5,000 >100 Fluazifop >4,659 (5-day) 2,721 (Female) 0.53 Glyphosate >4,640 >5,000 120 Hexazinone >10,000 1,690 420 Imazapic >5,000 >5,000 >100 Imazamox >5,572 >5,000 119 Imazapyr >5,000 >5,000 >100 Metsulfuron >5,620 >5,000 >150 Sethoxydim >5,620 3,200–3,500 265 Triclopyr amine >10,000 2,574 891 Triclopyr ester 9,026 1,581 0.87

a LD50 is the quantity of herbicide that is lethal to 50% of test animals expressed as mg herbicide per kg body wt. b LC50 is the concentration in food (mg/kg) or water (mg/L) required to kill 50% of the population of test animals.

Integrated Management of Non-Native Plants in Natural Areas of Florida 13 Table 5. Control methods in use for non-native plants by land managers in Florida. Techniques are categorized in the following order for each species: manual, cut stump (sometimes referred to as cut surface), basal bark (sometimes referred to as basal stem), foliar, and hack-and-squirt (referred to as girdle or incision point application). See the Control Methods section for additional details on these techniques. ACANTHACEAE (Acanthus family) Ruellia simplex Mexican petunia Treatment: Foliar: 2–3% glyphosate product Comments: Plants often resprout from creeping lateral roots. Multiple treatments may be required. ANACARDIACEAE (Cashew family) Schinus terebinthifolia Brazilian pepper Treatment: Cut stump: 50% Garlon 3A, 10% Garlon 4, 50–100% glyphosate product. Basal bark: 10–20% Garlon 4 or 100% Pathfinder II. Foliar: Garlon 4, Garlon 3A, glyphosate product, Arsenal, or Habitat according to label directions. Glyphosate products are less effective when used alone in spring and early summer. Incision point application: one hack per stem, 100% Method, 0.5 mL per hack. Comments: Dioecious; female trees produce enormous quantities of bird-dispersed fruit. Seed germinates readily. Some people experience allergic reactions to the sap. Target only female trees if time, funds, or herbicide limitations are a factor. APOCYNACEAE (Milkweed family) Alstonia macrophylla Devil tree Alstonia scholaris Scholar tree; white cheesewood Treatment: Cut stump: 50% Garlon 3A. Basal bark: 10% Garlon 4 or 100% Pathfinder II. Comments: Both species invade hammocks, pinelands, and disturbed sites. Leaves are reportedly toxic to eat. A. macrophylla is becoming widespread in Miami- Dade County. Ochrosia elliptica Elliptic yellowwood; ochrosia Treatment: Cut stump: 50% Garlon 3A. Comments: Fruits are bright red, paired, and reportedly poisonous to eat. Often used in coastal landscaping. ARACEAE (Arum family) Colocasia esculenta Wild taro Treatment: Foliar: 2.0% Clearcast, 1.0% glyphosate product, 0.5% Renovate, 0.5% Weedar 64, or 1.5% Habitat. Comments: Usually found in aquatic habitats, so only herbicides labeled for aquatic sites can be used. Large corms (underground storage structures) make control difficult. Repeat applications will be necessary. Syngonium podophyllum Arrowhead vine Treatment: Manual: hand pull vines and remove from site or destroy (place in plastic bags until decomposed). Basal stem (i.e., basal bark): 10% Garlon 4. Foliar: 3% Garlon 4. Multiple treatments are required. Comments: Breaks readily when pulled. Roots from nodes; difficult to control. Sap is an irritant to skin, mouth, and eyes. Spreads vegetatively only; many populations are the result of discarded landscape material. Epipremnum pinnatum Golden pothos cv. aureum Treatment: Same as arrowhead vine (see above). Comments: Roots at nodes. Sap is irritant to skin, mouth, and eyes. May form extensive groundcover; leaves enlarge considerably when plants climb trees or other support. Spreads vegetatively, apparently does not set seed in Florida. ARALIACEAE (Ginseng family)

Integrated Management of Non-Native Plants in Natural Areas of Florida 14 Schefflera actinophylla Queensland umbrella tree; umbrella tree Treatment: Large individuals (>10 inches in diameter) have proven extremely difficult to eradicate. Cut stump (most recommended): 50% Garlon 3A or 10% Garlon 4. Basal bark (if a cut stump treatment is not possible): 10–20% Garlon 4. It may take up to 9 months to kill large trees. Comments: Grows terrestrially or as an epiphyte; invasive in hammocks, particularly wet, rocky sites. Bird-dispersed fruits. ARECACEAE (Palm family) Caryota mitis Fishtail palm (multi-stemmed) Caryota urens Fishtail palm (solitary-trunked) Treatment: Cut stump: cut below growing point and treat with 50% Garlon 3A or 10% Garlon 4. Alternatively, the 10% Garlon 4 treatment can be applied to the apical bud. This is similar to a basal bark treatment, but it is done at the growing point. However, this may be difficult for large, multi-stemmed clumps. Comments: Unlike any other palm genus, the leaves are twice compound. For multiple- trunked (clumping) species, when one trunk is cut, the plant will resprout; fruits abundantly and is a common invasive plant in hammocks. Fruit and sap are an irritant to skin, mouth, and eyes. Chamaedorea seifrizii Bamboo palm Treatment: Treat as fishtail palm, above. Comments: Pinnate-leaved, narrow-trunked, clustering species; invades hammocks. Livistona chinensis Chinese fan palm Treatment: Manual: hand pull seedlings. Cut stump: 10–20% Garlon 4. Apical bud treatment: 10% Garlon 4. Comments: Costapalmate leaves; green, curved, sharp spines along petiole. Can be mistaken for Sabal and Thrinax species, but neither of the latter has spines on the petioles. Differs from Washingtonia by having green spines and lacking threadlike fiber on the leaves. Phoenix reclinata Senegal date palm Treatment: Cut stump: 50% Garlon 3A or 10% Garlon 4, or apply 10% Garlon 4 to the apical bud. Comments: Common non-native palm in hammocks, especially near coast; pinnate leaves with straight, sharp spines on petiole. Be careful as the spines may pierce leather gloves and boots. Ptychosperma elegans Solitaire palm Treatment: Manual: hand pull seedlings; cut mature trees down at ground level; remove fruiting stems from site. Comments: Pinnate leaves, solitary trunk; commonly invades hammocks; high seed germination; fruit dispersed by birds, raccoons, and opossums. Very common in the landscape. Syagrus romanzoffianum Queen palm (Arecastrum romanzoffianum) Treatment: Manual: hand pull seedlings; cut mature trees near the base with a chainsaw. Comments: Pinnate leaves, single trunk; common in the landscape; invasive in hammocks. Washingtonia robusta Mexican fan palm, Washingtonia palm Treatment: Manual: hand pull seedlings. Cut young specimens at ground level or spray 10–20% Garlon 4 into apical bud. Large, mature trees in natural areas should be cut down.

Integrated Management of Non-Native Plants in Natural Areas of Florida 15 Comments: Palmate leaves with brown, curved, sharp spines along the petioles. Mature trees may retain dead leaves along the trunk; leaves characteristically have brown, threadlike fibers attached. Can be mistaken for Chinese fan palm, Livistona chinensis, but the latter has green petiole spines and costapalmate leaves. Invades pinelands and disturbed sites. ASTERACEAE (Aster family) Sphagneticola trilobata (Wedelia Wedelia trilobata) Treatment: Foliar: 0.25% Milestone, 2–5% glyphosate product, or 1.0% Garlon 4, with follow-up treatments as needed. Comments: Trailing species, forming dense groundcover; yellow, daisy-like flowers produced all year; invades a variety of open, sunny habitats, including beaches; often becomes established from discarded landscape material. BERBERIDACEAE (Barberry family) Nandina domestica Heavenly bamboo Treatment: Manual: hand pull seedlings and juveniles. Multi-stemmed clumps are very difficult to hand pull. Basal bark: 15% Garlon 4. Collect and destroy attached fruits. Comments: Naturalized throughout the Panhandle and north central Florida. BIGNONIACEAE (Trumpet Creeper family) Dolichandra unguis-cati Cat’s-claw vine (Macfadyena unguis-cati) Treatment: Manual: hand pull new seedlings. Vines are difficult to remove from trees. Cut stem (i.e., cut stump): 100% glyphosate product. Foliar: 2–3% glyphosate product, 2% Garlon 3A. Multiple treatments will be required. Comments: Cat’s-claw vine is one of the most difficult vines to control in Florida. It reestablishes from numerous seedlings with tuberous roots that typically grow around the base of trees. Re-treatment will be required. CACTACEAE (Cactus family) Hylocereus undatus Night-blooming cereus Treatment: Very difficult to control when well-established on trees. Manual: hand pull and remove from trees if possible; however, this plant propagates by stem fragments. If complete removal is not feasible, pull as many vines down as possible and spray them with 10% Garlon 4 or 15% glyphosate product. Glyphosate is slow to work. Comments: Vining cactus that climbs and roots to tree trunks; sometimes epiphytic. Showy, fragrant flowers open at night in the summertime. CAPRIFOLIACEAE (Honeysuckle family) Lonicera japonica Japanese honeysuckle Treatment: Cut stump for large vines: 50% glyphosate product or 50% Garlon 3A. Foliar: 3–5% Garlon 3A or 1– 3% glyphosate product. Comments: Twining or trailing woody vine with young stems pubescent. Interrupts succession in once-forested areas by overtopping young trees and preventing their recruitment to the overstory. Can disrupt understory forest structure. May be confused with native honeysuckle, Lonicera sempervirens, the stems of which are not hairy while the flowers are red with yellow within. CASUARINACEAE (She-Oak family) Casuarina equisetifolia Australian pine Casuarina glauca Beefwood, suckering Australian pine

Integrated Management of Non-Native Plants in Natural Areas of Florida 16 Treatment: Basal bark: 10–20% Garlon 4. Cut stump: 50% Garlon 3A or 10–20% Garlon 4. Remove scaly bark if present. Frill or girdle (for large trees): 20% Garlon 4. Addition of 3% Stalker will increase consistency on older trees. Incision point application: one hack for every 6 inches DBH, 100% Method, 0.5 mL per hack. Comments: C. equisetifolia has a single trunk and produces viable seeds that are wind- and bird-dispersed; C. glauca produces suckers at the base of the trunk, rarely sets seed in Florida, and has a weeping growth habit. CLUSIACEAE (Mangosteen family) Calophyllum antillanum Santa Maria, mast wood (C. calaba; C. brasiliense var. antillanum) Treatment: Basal bark: 10–20% Garlon 4. Follow-up herbicide applications may be necessary. Manual: hand pull seedlings. Comments: Medium-sized tree with glossy, leathery leaves; has been found principally invading coastal areas, including mangrove fringe. COMBRETACEAE (White Mangrove family) Terminalia arjuna Arjun tree Terminalia catappa Indian almond Terminalia muelleri Australian almond Treatment: Cut stump: 50% Garlon 3A. Basal bark: 10% Garlon 4. Comments: The Indian almond is deciduous and invades coastal habitats, hammocks, and disturbed sites; arjun tree and Australian almond invade hammock interiors and margins. COMMELINACEAE (Spiderwort family) Tradescantia fluminensis Small-leaf spiderwort Treatment: Manual: hand pull small patches. Foliar: 1–2% Garlon 3A. Comments: Plants recover from very small fragments. Dense mats may also require re- treatment. This species is exceptionally frustrating due to its rapid recovery from seed. Tradescantia spathacea (Rhoeo Oyster plant spathacea) Treatment: Manual: hand pull and remove from site. Foliar: 10% Garlon 4 applied to bud. Comments: Succulent with sword-shaped rosettes of leaves, green on upper surface, bright purple on lower surface. Highly invasive, forming extensive colonies. CONVOLVULACEAE (Morning Glory family) Merremia tuberosa Wood rose Treatment: Cut stem (i.e., cut stump): 50% Garlon 3A or 10% Garlon 4. Basal bark: 10% Garlon 4. Foliar: 5% glyphosate product. Comments: Individual plants can cover extensive areas. Rarely roots at nodes. Bright yellow morning glory-like flowers produced in late fall. Fruits profusely in early winter; diebacks occur in late December and early January. Seeds germinate readily. CRASSULACEAE (Stonecrop family) Kalanchoe pinnata Life plant Treatment: Foliar: 5% glyphosate product. Manual: hand pull. Glyphosate is an effective treatment because it kills individual leaves that otherwise may produce new plants along leaf margins. Follow-up hand removal of leaves is necessary to prevent leaves from producing new plants.

Integrated Management of Non-Native Plants in Natural Areas of Florida 17 Comments: Often found along edges of natural areas, generally as a result of discarded landscape material. Kalanchoe x houghtonii Mother-of-millions Treatment: Foliar: 5% glyphosate product. Manual: hand pull. Glyphosate is an effective treatment because it kills individual leaves that otherwise may produce new plants along leaf margins. Follow-up hand removal of leaves is necessary to prevent leaves from producing new plants. Comments: Found on dunes of the Atlantic coast. DIOSCOREACEAE (Yam family) Dioscorea alata Winged yam Dioscorea bulbifera Air potato Dioscorea sansibarensis Zanzibar yam Treatment: Biological: the air potato leaf beetle, Lilioceris cheni, has been effective on air potato only. Manual: cut vines that are high in trees; cut bulbils and remove from site. Dig up underground tubers if possible. Foliar: 1–2% glyphosate product. Cut stem for large vines: 10% Garlon 4. Comments: Monocots with heart-shaped leaves; dieback to tubers in winter in response to shortened day length, resprout in spring from tubers. All three species produce aerial bulbils in late summer, early fall. EBENACEAE (Ebony family) Diospyros digyna Black sapote (D. ebenum) Treatment: Cut stump: 50% Garlon 3A. Comments: Black bark, shiny alternate leaves; scattered throughout a few hammocks in south Florida. Fruits are large, edible; green when ripe. Large individuals are difficult to kill. ELAEAGNACEAE (Russian Olive family) Elaeagnus pungens Silverthorn Treatment: Basal bark: 15% Garlon 4. Comments: Naturalized across much of north and central Florida. The dense, rambling growth and sharp spur shoots make cutting and physical removal extremely hazardous. EUPHORBIACEAE (Spurge family) Aleurites fordii (Vernicia fordii) Tung tree Treatment: Cut stump: 50% Garlon 3A. Basal bark: 20% Garlon 4. Incision point application: one hack for every 6 inches DBH, 100% Method, 0.5 mL per hack. Comments: Found mainly in northern counties to Citrus County. There are current efforts to rebuild the historic tung oil industry in north Florida. Bischofia javanica Bishopwood; toog Treatment: Manual: hand pull seedlings. Cut stump: 50% Garlon 3A. Basal bark: 10–20% Garlon 4. Frill/girdle (large trees): 20% Garlon 4. Incision point application: one hack for every 6 inches DBH, 100% Method, 0.5 mL per hack. Comments: Dioecious; compound leaves with three large leaflets; adventitious roots sometimes form along trunk in response to basal bark treatment. Female trees produce massive numbers of bird-dispersed fruits that hang in grape- like clusters. Target only female trees if time, funds, or herbicide limitations are a factor. Ricinus communis Castor bean Treatment: Cut stump: 50% Garlon 3A. Basal bark: 10% Garlon 4. Revisit site several times to hand pull seedlings or treat seedlings with 5% glyphosate product.

Integrated Management of Non-Native Plants in Natural Areas of Florida 18 Comments: High seed germination; seeds are extremely poisonous to eat. Triadica sebifera Chinese tallow, popcorn tree (Sapium sebiferum) Treatment: Cut stump: 10% Milestone, 50% Garlon 3A or Renovate, 20–30% Garlon 4, 10% Habitat. Basal bark: 20% Garlon 4 or 100% Pathfinder II. Addition of 3% Stalker will reduce resprouting on older trees. Foliar: 2% Clearcast, 0.5–0.75% Arsenal or Habitat, 0.5% Method. Incision point application: one hack for every 6 inches DBH, 100% Method, 0.5 mL per hack. Some follow- up treatment may be necessary for lateral root sprouts. Comments: Extremely aggressive tree with broad ecological tolerance. Resprouting from lateral roots is common. Re-treatment for resprouts and new seedlings is almost always necessary. FABACEAE (Pea family) Abrus precatorius Rosary pea Treatment: Foliar: 0.12–0.25% Milestone; 5% glyphosate product. Remove seed pods if possible. Site must be revisited several times to pull seedlings. Comments: Seeds are black and red and highly poisonous. Acacia auriculiformis Earleaf acacia Treatment: Cut stump: 50% Garlon 3A, 10% Milestone. Basal bark: 10% Garlon 4. Comments: A frequent invader of pinelands and disturbed sites. Adenanthera pavonina Red sandalwood Treatment: Cut stump: 50% Garlon 3A, 10% Milestone, or 10% Garlon 4. Basal bark: 10% Garlon 4. Manual: small seedlings can be hand pulled. Comments: Can be confused with Albizia lebbeck, which has larger leaflets. Bark of red sandalwood is typically reddish; produces hard, red seeds that may persist in soil for up to 5 years. Albizia lebbeck Woman’s tongue Treatment: Cut stump: 50% Garlon 3A, 10% Milestone, or 10% Garlon 4. Basal bark: 20% Garlon 4 or 100% Pathfinder II. Follow-up treatments necessary for root sprouts with 10% Garlon 4. Comments: Large, dry, brown pods with few large seeds; mature principally in winter. Common in pinelands and hammocks. Albizia julibrissin Mimosa Treatment: Cut stump: 50% Garlon 3A, 10% Milestone. Basal bark: 15% Garlon 4 or 100% Pathfinder II. Comments: Apply to 1–2 feet of trunk on larger trees. Trees with a diameter greater than 3 inches may require re-treatment. Bauhinia aculeata White orchid tree Bauhinia purpurea Purple orchid tree Bauhinia variegata Orchid tree Treatment: Cut stump: 50% Garlon 3A. Basal bark: 10% Garlon 4. Comments: All three species invade disturbed sites and the edges of natural areas in Miami-Dade County. Dalbergia sissoo Indian rosewood Treatment: Cut stump: 50% Garlon 3A, 10% Milestone. Basal bark: 10% Garlon 4. Comments: Medium to large tree with compound leaves bearing 3 to 5 leaflets. Papery seed pods are wind-dispersed. Invasive along hammock margin, canopy gaps, and disturbed sites. Delonix regia Royal poinciana Treatment: Basal bark: 20% Garlon 4 or 100% Pathfinder II. Cut stump: 50% Garlon 3A, 10% Milestone.

Integrated Management of Non-Native Plants in Natural Areas of Florida 19 Comments: Large spreading tree with bipinnately compound leaves; very popular flowering tree in the landscape. Invades hammock margin, canopy gaps, and disturbed sites; seeds commonly sprout beneath parent trees. Indigofera suffruticosa Anil indigo, anil de pasto, wild indigo, West Indian indigo Treatment: Foliar: 1% Garlon 4, 0.15% Milestone. Comments: An erect branching shrub growing to 3 feet tall with pinnate leaves. Commonly found growing in dry, highly disturbed areas and hammocks. Leucaena leucocephala Lead tree, jumbie bean Treatment: Difficult to control. Variable results have been reported. Cut stump: 50% Garlon 3A, 10% Milestone. Basal bark or cut stem: 10–20% Garlon 4 has been reported to be effective; others report only partial success with higher rates. 25% has been effective on trees with a diameter under 3 inches, but larger trees were not killed. Large trees must be completely girdled for frill/girdle applications. Foliar: 0.25% Milestone. Comments: Usually found on edges of natural areas; can be mistaken for native wild tamarind, Lysiloma latisiliquum. Mimosa pigra Catclaw mimosa Treatment: Cut stump: 50% Garlon 3A, 10% Milestone. Basal bark: 30% Garlon 4. Foliar: 0.25% Milestone. Repeat applications of 1.5% glyphosate product or 2 –3% Garlon 3A or Renovate. Comments: Repeated site visits are necessary to control seedlings and prevent further seed production. Approximately ten years are needed for seed bank eradication. Mucuna pruriens Cow itch; velvet bean Treatment: Manual: hand pull mature vines and seedlings; does not resprout from roots. It is important to continue pulling seedlings until seed bank is exhausted. Basal bark: 10% Garlon 4. Foliar: 5% glyphosate product, 0.25% Milestone. Comments: Hairs on seed pods can cause intense itching. Pueraria montana var. lobata (P. Kudzu lobata) Treatment: Foliar: 0.25%, Milestone, 0.5% Method, 2% Garlon 3A, 2% glyphosate product. Treat when actively growing. Comments: Follow-up treatments are necessary as resprouting occurs from root crowns. Wisteria sinensis Chinese wisteria Treatment: Cut stump: 10% Milestone, 100% Garlon 3A. Basal bark: 20–30% Garlon 4. Multiple treatments may be required to control prolific lateral root sprouts. Comments: High-climbing woody vine with showy lavender flowers in spring. Can top and kill mature trees. Legume densely, velvety pubescent compared to the native Wisteria frutescens, with glabrous fruits. GOODENIACEAE (Goodenia family) Scaevola taccada var. sericea Beach naupaka; half flower (S. taccada) Treatment: Manual: hand pull at least fruit from site whenever possible. Basal bark: 10% Garlon 4. Cut stump: 50% Garlon 3A or 10% Garlon 4. Foliar (monocultures): 4% Garlon 4. Comments: Semi-woody shrub with either glabrous or pubescent, somewhat succulent leaves. Flowers are fan-shaped, white or blushed with purple; fruit are white, which help distinguish it from the black-fruited native inkberry, Scaevola plumieri. Seeds of the exotic Scaevola are carried by ocean currents where they sprout and colonize beaches and other shoreline habitats. Branches in contact with ground may root. Seed bank lasts one year.

Integrated Management of Non-Native Plants in Natural Areas of Florida 20 LAMIACEAE (Mint family) Vitex rotundifolia Beach vitex Treatment: Cut stem (i.e., cut stump): 50% v/v glyphosate product, 50% Habitat, 50% Garlon 3A. Habitat is the most effective, but care must be taken to prevent nontarget damage. Re-treatment may be required to control new sprouts from buried stems and new seedlings. Comments: A salt-tolerant, woody plant that forms low-growing thickets on beaches and dunes. Its sprawling branches that run for many meters while rooting at the nodes enable this species to thrive in coastal dune environments. LAURACEAE (Laurel family) Cinnamomum camphora Camphor tree Treatment: Cut stump: 50% Garlon 3A. Basal bark: 20% Garlon 4. Comments: Leaves exhibit a strong camphor odor when crushed. Abundant in north and central Florida. LYGODIACEAE (Climbing Fern family) Lygodium microphyllum Old World climbing fern Treatment: Foliar: for ground applications, cut plants that grow high into trees; thoroughly spray foliage to wet with 2–3% glyphosate product, 2% Garlon 3A, 1% Plateau, or equivalent of 2 ounces Escort XP/100 gallon diluent. For light infestations, use 2–4% glyphosate product. For aerial application, 7.5 pints glyphosate product or 2 ounces Escort XP in sufficient volume, using a spray pattern to maximize coverage. Comments: Fern with twining, climbing fronds, leaflets unlobed. The most serious natural area weed in Florida. Land managers should be on constant lookout for it and take immediate steps to control it when encountered. Lygodium japonicum Japanese climbing fern Treatment: Foliar: 2% glyphosate product. Plateau 40 oz/100 gal. Comments: Fern with twining, climbing fronds, leaflets lobed. Occurs throughout west and north Florida, moving into central Florida. Smothers seedlings of overstory tree species. MALVACEAE (Mallow family) Talipariti tiliaceum var. tiliaceum Sea hibiscus; mahoe (Hibiscus tiliaceus) Treatment: Manual: hand pull seedlings. Basal bark: 10–20% Garlon 4. Cut stump: 50% Garlon 3A. Comments: Multi-trunked, large, spreading tree with long-petioled, rounded cordate leaves. Hibiscus-like yellow flowers turn pink or red with age; seeds float and drift to new coastal habitats. Erroneously considered native by some people. Thespesia populnea Seaside mahoe; portia tree Treatment: Manual: seedlings can be hand pulled. Basal bark: 10–25% Garlon 4. Cut stump: 50% Garlon 3A. Comments: Multi-trunked, large, spreading tree; heart-shaped leaves with a pronounced drip tip. Hibiscus-like yellow flowers turn pink or red with age; seeds float and drift to new coastal habitats. Erroneously considered native by some people. Urena lobata Caesar weed, cadillo Treatment: Foliar applications of 1% 2,4-D, 1% Garlon 4, 1% Vista XRT, or 0.15% Milestone (1 fl oz per 5 gallons of water) are effective, even on mature plants. Comments: Undershrub growing from 1.5 to 8 feet in height. Leaves are shallowly 3- to 5-lobed with the upper surface coated in rough hairs. Barbed fruits stick to clothing and fur, aiding in dispersal.

Integrated Management of Non-Native Plants in Natural Areas of Florida 21 MELIACEAE (Mahogany family) Melia azedarach Chinaberry, Pride of India Treatment: Cut stump: 10% Method, 50% Garlon 3A. Basal bark: 10% Method, 15–30% Garlon 4. Addition of 3% Stalker to Garlon 4 may increase consistency. Foliar: 0.25% Method. Comments: Often shrubby and root-suckering, forming thickets. Fruits poisonous to humans and some other mammals. Most abundantly found in north and west Florida, but often escapes cultivation in peninsular counties south to the Keys. MORACEAE (Mulberry family) Broussonetia papyrifera Paper mulberry Treatment: Basal bark: 20–30% Garlon 4. Addition of 3% Stalker will increase consistency. Comments: Large tree with scabrous leaves and reddish-orange balls of flowers. Invades hammocks and disturbed sites. Young trees can be mistaken for the native red mulberry, Morus rubra. Ficus altissima Lofty fig Ficus benghalensis Banyan fig Ficus microcarpa Laurel fig Treatment: Basal bark: 10% Garlon 4. Comments: All three species invade the interior and edges of hammocks; often found growing as epiphytes (on trees) or epiliths (on rocks or stone structures). Exercise care when treating epiphytic figs to ensure the herbicide does not come in contact with the host tree. All Ficus species are very sensitive to Garlon 4. Extreme care must be taken when treating any vegetation near the native strangler fig and native shortleaf fig. Overspray that contacts surface roots can kill a large Ficus tree. MYRSINACEAE (Myrsine family) Ardisia elliptica Shoebutton ardisia (Ardisia solanacea) Treatment: Manual: hand pull seedlings. Cut stump: 50% Garlon 3A. Basal bark: 10% Garlon 4. Comments: Often found in wetter areas; prolific reproduction; closely resembles the native Ardisia escallonioides (marlberry), but differs in that new growth, petioles, and stem tips are pink to red, and fruit are produced in axillary, not terminal, clusters. Ardisia crenata Coral ardisia Treatment: Basal bark: 10% Garlon 4. Foliar: 3% Garlon 3A. The addition of 1% Plateau to Garlon 3A as a foliar treatment may provide preemergent suppression of new seedlings for several months. Comments: Small shrub, easily recognized by shiny, leathery leaves, with scalloped margins, calluses in the margin notches, and persistent bright red (sometimes white) fruits. MYRTACEAE (Myrtle family) Eugenia uniflora Surinam cherry Treatment: Basal bark: for plants up to 0.5-inch diameter, 10% Garlon 4. Cut stump: 50% Garlon 3A or 10% Garlon 4. Seedlings should be hand pulled. Comments: Leaves have a distinct odor when crushed. Melaleuca quinquenervia Punk tree; melaleuca

Integrated Management of Non-Native Plants in Natural Areas of Florida 22 Treatment: Manual: seedlings and saplings can be hand pulled (taking care not to break the plant off the root system), then removed off site or placed in piles to reduce the chance of re-rooting. Foliar: 5% glyphosate product (seedlings and saplings only). Aerial application of 3 quarts glyphosate product + 3 quarts Arsenal + 4 quarts methylated seed oil per acre. Follow-up ground or aerial application may be necessary. Cut stump: 10–25% Arsenal or Habitat, 50–100% glyphosate product, or 40% glyphosate product + 10% Arsenal or Habitat. Use of imazapyr provides more consistent results. Frill and girdle: 20–50% Arsenal or Habitat or 10% Arsenal or Habitat + 40% glyphosate product. Comments: Tall, highly invasive tree in freshwater wetlands; thick, papery bark; extremely high seed production; seed dispersed by wind following natural or mechanical disturbance. Psidium guajava Common guava Psidium cattleianum Strawberry guava Treatment: Basal bark or cut stump: 10% Garlon 4. Comments: Indigenous to Central and South America, this commercial fruit crop is a common invader in disturbed areas, hammock margins, and wetlands. Rhodomyrtus tomentosa Downy rose myrtle Treatment: Basal bark or cut stump (individual plants): 10–20% Garlon 4. Re-treatment may be necessary. Foliar: 1% Arsenal + 2% glyphosate product or 2 quarts Vanquish/acre in 50-gallon spray volume. Comments: A very aggressive evergreen shrub growing to 6 feet tall found as far north as Pasco County. Action should be taken immediately to remove it when found in natural areas. Identified by opposite, simple entire leaves, which are glossy green above and densely soft-hairy below, with three main veins from the blade base. Round, dark purple fruit with sweetly aromatic flesh. Syzygium cumini Jambolan plum; Java plum Syzygium jambos Rose apple Treatment: Cut stump: 50% Garlon 3A or 20% Garlon 4. Basal bark: 20% Garlon 4 or Pathfinder II. Mature trees may take up to 9 months to die. Comments: Large ornamental trees producing bird- and mammal-dispersed fruits. OLEACEAE (Olive family) Jasminum dichotomum Gold Coast jasmine Jasminum fluminense Brazilian jasmine Treatment: Cut stump: 50% Garlon 3A or 10% Garlon 4. Basal bark: 10% Garlon 4. It is helpful to pull runners back to the main stem, cut, and apply Garlon 3A or Garlon 4 to the cut stem. Re-treatment of areas is usually necessary. Foliar: 5% glyphosate product. Manual: newly emerged seedlings can be hand pulled. Comments: Jasmines produce a large number of bird- and mammal-dispersed seeds that germinate readily; highly invasive. Ligustrum lucidum Glossy privet Ligustrum sinense Chinese privet Treatment: Cut stump: 25% Garlon 3A or 25% glyphosate product. Basal bark: 15–20% Garlon 4 or 100% Pathfinder II. Foliar: 3–5% glyphosate product. Foliar treatment is most effective in the late fall and early winter. Comments: L. sinense widespread in northern Florida mesic woods, road shoulders, and hedgerows. L. lucidum often found in urban forests. Both are dispersed by mammals, birds, and floodwaters. ONAGRACEAE (Evening Primrose family) Ludwigia peruviana Peruvian water primrose Treatment: Foliar: 2% Garlon 3A; 1% Habitat; 2% Clearcast Comments: Increasingly problematic in many wet areas.

Integrated Management of Non-Native Plants in Natural Areas of Florida 23 PASSIFLORACEAE (Passionflower family) Passiflora edulis Passionflower Treatment: Cut stump: 50% Garlon 3A or 10% Garlon 4. Basal bark: 10% Garlon 4. Comments: Commercially cultivated worldwide, this South American subtropical species closely resembles the native purple passionflower P. incarnata, which differs by having dull rather than lustrous upper leaf surfaces. Invasive in hammocks. PIPERACEAE (Pepper family) Piper umbellatum (Lepianthes Baquina umbellata) Piper aduncum Bamboo piper, spiked pepper, false matico Piper auritum Vera Cruz pepper, makulan Treatment: Manual: hand pull when possible (broken roots may resprout). Cut stump: 50% Garlon 3A. Basal bark: 20% Garlon 4 or 100% Pathfinder II. Remove cut stems from the site to avoid resprouting from nodes. Comments: All three species invade hardwood hammocks, especially margins and canopy gaps. POACEAE (Grass family) Imperata cylindrica Cogongrass Treatment: Foliar: 3–4 quarts glyphosate product, 2–3 quarts Arsenal, or 0.5 quarts Fusilade per acre. For high-volume spot treatment, use 3–5% glyphosate product or 0.25–0.5% Arsenal. Herbicides should be used in combination with burning or tillage for optimum control. See EDIS document SS-AGR-52 (http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/wg202) for additional information. Comments: If not controlled, cogongrass will spread along roadways and into pastures, mining areas, forestland, parks, and other recreation areas. Extensive rhizomes must be eliminated for long-term control. Melinis repens Natal grass, rose Natal grass Treatment: Foliar applications of 2–3 quarts per acre or 1–2% v/v glyphosate; 0.5–1 quart per acre or 0.5–1% v/v imazapyr. Hexazinone at 1–2 quarts per acre is also effective. Imazapic (Plateau, Impose, others) at 12 oz per acre for seed suppression. Comments: New seedlings are common following glyphosate treatment. Imazapyr and hexazinone provide some residual control, but may prevent recovery of desirable native species. Imazapic can be used to reduce seed production and provide better selectivity to native species. Neyraudia reynaudiana Burma reed, silk reed Treatment: Foliar: 1–3% glyphosate product. Cut stem: 10% Garlon 4. In areas with surrounding desirable vegetation, the culms can be cut to ground level and sprayed with 5% glyphosate product when the plant reaches a height of approximately 12 to 18 inches (cut stems should be removed from the site). Removing seedheads before treatment will reduce need for follow-up. Responds quickly after fire and should be targeted as soon as new growth reaches 12 to 18 inches. Most native plants will not have resprouted from the fire by the time Burma reed has reached this height, and it can be easily treated with little concern about nontarget damage. Comments: Tall cane grass; extremely invasive in pine rockland habitat, open, dry habitats, roadsides, vacant lots, and other disturbed sites. Fire-tolerant. Panicum repens Torpedograss Treatment: Foliar: 0.75–1.5% glyphosate product and/or 0.5% Habitat, 4 pints Habitat per acre, or 5% glyphosate product spot treatment. Comments: Numerous dormant buds associated with extensive rhizomes make this plant extremely difficult to control. Several years of reapplication may be necessary to completely eliminate a population.

Integrated Management of Non-Native Plants in Natural Areas of Florida 24 Pennisetum purpureum (Cenchrus Napier grass purpureus) Treatment: Foliar: 1–3% glyphosate product. If nontarget damage is a concern, cut stems to ground level and allow sprouts to reach 8–12 inches and treat the same as Neyraudia. Broadcast 3–5 quarts/acre glyphosate product, 2 quarts/acre Arsenal, or 1 quart Arsenal and 2 quarts glyphosate product. Comments: Tall cane grass with white stripe down the center of the leaf blade and a foxtail-like inflorescence; prefers wetter substrates. Phyllostachys aurea Golden bamboo Treatment: Foliar: cut mature plants, allow to regrow to 3 to 4 feet, and apply 5% glyphosate product or 2% Arsenal or Habitat. Comments: Not a common problem, but can spread extensively once established. Populations should be controlled immediately. Can become established through dumping of yard waste. Sporobolus jacquemontii Giant smutgrass, West Indian dropseed Treatment: Broadcast applications of hexazinone (Velpar, Tide Hexazinone, Velossa) at 2 quarts per acre during the rainy season (July–September). Spot application of 1–2% glyphosate product is effective. Comments: Plants should be actively growing for optimum activity with either herbicide. Urochloa mutica (Brachiaria mutica) Para grass Treatment: Foliar applications of glyphosate at 3–4 quarts per acre or imazapyr (Arsenal, Habitat) at 2–3 quarts per acre. Spot treatments containing 3% glyphosate or 0.5–1% imazapyr are effective. A more selective option is TIGR, which can be broadcast at 40 oz/A or applied as a spot treatment at 3–5%. Re-treatments will be required with TIGR to maintain control. Comments: A vigorous perennial grass with creeping stolons capable of growing 16 feet long. Stems have hairy nodes and sheaths. Most spread occurs through vegetative reproduction. POLYGONACEAE (Buckwheat family) Antigonon leptopus Coral vine Treatment: Foliar: 5% glyphosate product, 0.12–0.25% Milestone, 2–3% Garlon 4. Comments: Widely escaped ornamental. RHAMNACEAE (Buckthorn family) Colubrina asiatica Latherleaf Treatment: Manual: hand pull seedlings. Basal bark: 10–20% Garlon 4 or 100% Pathfinder II. Cut stump: 50% Garlon 3A. Foliar: 3% Garlon 3A or 2.25% Garlon 4. Follow-up treatments should be done in 4 weeks. Comments: Sprawling shrub commonly invading coastal habitats; has become a serious pest plant in mangrove and buttonwood habitat and in coastal hardwood forests. The close proximity to mangroves requires careful treatment. Capsules spread by tides and currents. Seeds resemble small pebbles and may be used as crop stones by seed-eating birds, such as doves, and dispersed. ROSACEAE (Rose family) Rubus niveus Mysore raspberry Treatment: Cut stem: 50% Garlon 3A or 10% Garlon 4. Comments: Sharp thorns on stems and leaves; arching stems and branches of intact plants root where they touch the ground. Seeds are bird- and mammal- dispersed. Eriobotrya japonica Loquat Treatment: Basal bark: 10% Garlon 4. Cut stump: 50% Garlon 3A or 10% Garlon 4. Foliar: 2% Garlon 3A or 1.5% Garlon 4.

Integrated Management of Non-Native Plants in Natural Areas of Florida 25 Comments: Invasive in hammocks; commonly cultivated for its yellow, fuzzy, edible fruit; seeds spread into natural areas by mammals; introduced parrots are known to feed on the fruit as well, and may also be vectors of seeds. RUBIACEAE (Coffee family) Paederia cruddasiana Sewer vine Treatment: Foliar: 0.15–0.25% Milestone, 3–5% glyphosate product. Basal bark: 10% Garlon 4. Within 2–4 weeks, re-treat the area with basal applications of 10% Garlon 4. This second treatment can be time-consuming because many underground runners sprout. The area should continue to be monitored for follow-up treatments. Comments: Climbing vine; related to Paederia foetida, which is established in central Florida; flowers profusely; produces viable seeds. Paederia foetida Skunkvine, Chinese fever vine Treatment: Foliar: 0.15–0.25% Milestone, 1–3% Garlon 3A, 2% Garlon 4, or 1–1.5% Plateau. Thoroughly wet foliage. Homeowners can use Brush-B-Gon or Brush Killer at maximum label rates. Cut stump: 10% Garlon 4. Comments: Perennial twining vine from woody rootstock. Leaves and stems have disagreeable odor, especially when crushed. Most common in west central Florida, documented northward to Nassau and Escambia Counties and southward to Miami-Dade County. RUSCACEAE (Butcher’s Broom family) Sansevieria hyacinthoides Bowstring hemp Treatment: Cut surface (i.e., cut stump): 10% Garlon 4. Basal stem (i.e., basal bark): 10% Garlon 4. Addition of 3% Stalker may increase consistency where nontarget vegetation will not be endangered. Comments: Plants often take six to twelve months to die. Follow-up applications are necessary. Dense populations may require initial manual removal. RUTACEAE (Citrus family) Murraya paniculata Orange jessamine Treatment: Manual: hand pull seedlings. Cut stump: 50% Garlon 3A. Basal bark: 10% Garlon 4. Comments: Shrub or small tree with small, glossy, compound leaves that are fragrant when crushed; white, citrus-like, heavily perfumed flowers produced in summertime; small orange fruit are bird-dispersed. Invasive in hammocks, especially when bordered by residential areas that use this plant in the landscape. SAPINDACEAE (Soapberry family) Cupaniopsis anacardioides Carrotwood Treatment: Cut stump: 10–50% Garlon 3A or 100% glyphosate product. Basal bark: 10–20% Garlon 4 or 100% Pathfinder II. Frill or girdle: 10–20% Garlon 4. Comments: Invades interior of hammocks; bird-dispersed. Note label restrictions with respect to high-tide mark and use extra caution near mangroves. Koelreuteria elegans Golden rain tree, flamegold tree Treatment: Cut stump: 50% glyphosate product or 50–100% Garlon 3A. Basal bark: 25% Garlon 4. Foliar: 2–3% glyphosate product, 2% Garlon 3A. Comments: A popular ornamental that has spread from horticultural plantings. SAPOTACEAE (Sapodilla family) Manilkara zapota Sapodilla Treatment: Hand pull seedlings. Cut stump: 50% Garlon 3A. Basal bark: 10–20% Garlon 4. Larger trees may require repeat applications. Comments: Large, spreading tree; edible fruit; seeds dispersed by raccoons and opossums; invades hammock interiors. Pouteria campechiana Egg fruit; canistel

Integrated Management of Non-Native Plants in Natural Areas of Florida 26 Treatment: Hand pull seedlings. Basal bark: 10% Garlon 4. Comments: Small to medium tree; yellow, edible fruit; prolific invader of hammocks but local in distribution; fruit eaten by raccoons and opossums. SOLANACEAE (Nightshade family) Cestrum diurnum Day jessamine Treatment: Manual: hand pull when possible (if soil disturbance is not an issue). Cut stump: 50% Garlon 3A. Basal bark: 10% Garlon 4. Comments: Shrub or small tree with small, tubular, very fragrant flowers (in daytime). Small purple fruit dispersed by birds. Fruits are poisonous to humans. Solanum diphyllum Twoleaf nightshade Treatment: Hand pull and destroy individual plants when practical. Foliar: 0.15–0.25% Milestone, 1% Garlon 4, 3% glyphosate product. Comments: Grown in the 1960s as an ornamental plant. Fruits are bird-dispersed and have been spread across south and central Florida. Solanum tampicense Wetland nightshade (misleadingly called aquatic soda apple) Treatment: Foliar: 1.5% Garlon 3A, 0.25% Milestone (can be used in seasonally dry wetlands). Follow-up treatments are necessary. Comments: An aggressive invader of wetlands and floodplains. Should be eliminated whenever located. Solanum viarum Tropical soda apple Treatment: Hand pull and destroy individual plants when practical. Foliar: 0.15–0.25% Milestone, 1% Garlon 4, 3% glyphosate product, or 0.5% Arsenal. Comments: Destroy fruit and treat plants immediately after detection. Spreads rapidly. Livestock and wild animals eat fruits and readily disperse seed. VERBENACEAE (Verbena family) Lantana camara (Lantana Shrub verbena; lantana strigocamara) Treatment: Cut stump: 50% Garlon 3A or 10% Garlon 4. Basal bark: 10% Garlon 4. Foliar: 0.25% Method, 0.45% Vista XRT. Vista XRT is most effective with repeated fall and spring treatments. Comments: Shrub with prickly stems and branches; multicolored flower heads; ripe fruit is blue. This exotic species should be controlled to help avoid hybridization with the endemic Lantana depressa. Typically a plant of roadsides and other disturbed sites, but also invades pineland as well as hammock margins. Numerous cultivars exist in the nursery trade.

Integrated Management of Non-Native Plants in Natural Areas of Florida 27 Table 6. Appendix A: Plants sorted by common name. Common Name Scientific Name Botanical Family Name Air potato Dioscorea bulbifera Dioscoreaceae Anil de pasto Indigofera suffruticosa Fabaceae Anil indigo Indigofera suffruticosa Fabaceae Arjun tree Terminalia arjuna Combretaceae Arrowhead vine Syngonium podophyllum Araceae Australian pine Casuarina equisetifolia Casuarinaceae Bamboo palm Chamaedorea seifrizii Arecaceae Bamboo piper Piper aduncum Piperaceae Banyan fig Ficus benghalensis Moraceae Baquina Piper umbellatum Piperaceae Beach naupaka Scaevola tacadda var. sericea Goodeniaceae Beach vitex Vitex rotundifolia Lamiaceae Beefwood Casuarina glauca Casuarinaceae Bishopwood Bischofia javanica Euphorbiaceae Black sapote Diospyros digyna Ebenaceae Bowstring hemp Sansevieria hyacinthoides Ruscaceae Brazilian jasmine Jasminum fluminense Oleaceae Brazilian pepper Schinus terebinthifolia Anacardiaceae Burma reed Neyraudia reynaudiana Poaceae Cadillo Urena lobata Malvaceae Caesar weed Urena lobata Malvaceae Camphor tree Cinnamomum camphora Lauraceae Canistel Pouteria campechiana Sapotaceae Carrotwood Cupaniopsis anacardioides Sapindaceae Castor bean Ricinus communis Euphorbiaceae Cat’s-claw vine Dolichandra unguis-cati Bignoniaceae Catclaw mimosa Mimosa pigra Fabaceae Chinaberry Melia azedarach Meliaceae Chinese fan palm Livistona chinensis Arecaceae Chinese fever vine Paederia foetida Rubiaceae Chinese privet Ligustrum sinense Oleaceae Chinese tallow Triadica sebifera Euphorbiaceae Chinese wisteria Wisteria sinensis Fabaceae Cogongrass Imperata cylindrica Poaceae Common guava Psidium guajava Myrtaceae Coral ardisia Ardisia crenata Myrsinaceae Coral vine Antigonon leptopus Polygonaceae Cow itch Mucuna pruriens Fabaceae Day jessamine Cestrum diurnum Solanaceae Devil tree Alstonia macrophylla Apocynaceae Downy rose myrtle Rhodomyrtus tomentosa Myrtaceae Earleaf acacia Acacia auriculiformis Fabaceae Egg fruit Pouteria campechiana Sapotaceae Elliptic yellowwood Ochrosia elliptica Apocynaceae False matico Piper aduncum Piperaceae

Integrated Management of Non-Native Plants in Natural Areas of Florida 28 Common Name Scientific Name Botanical Family Name Fishtail palm (multi-stemmed) Caryota mitis Arecaceae Fishtail palm (solitary-trunked) Caryota urens Arecaceae Flamegold tree Koelreuteria elegans Sapindaceae Giant smutgrass Sporobolus jacquemontii Poaceae Glossy privet Ligustrum lucidum Oleaceae Gold Coast jasmine Jasminum dichotomum Oleaceae Golden bamboo Phyllostachys aurea Poaceae Golden pothos Epipremnum pinnatum cv. aureum Araceae Golden rain tree Koelreuteria elegans Sapindaceae Half flower Scaevola taccada var. sericea Goodeniaceae Heavenly bamboo Nandina domestica Berberidaceae Indian almond Terminalia catappa Combretaceae Indian rosewood Dalbergia sissoo Fabaceae Jambolan plum Syzygium cumini Myrtaceae Japanese climbing fern Lygodium japonicum Lygodiaceae Japanese honeysuckle Lonicera japonica Caprifoliaceae Java plum Syzygium cumini Myrtaceae Jumbie bean Leucaena leucocephala Fabaceae Kudzu Pueraria montana var. lobata Fabaceae Lantana Lantana camara Verbenaceae Latherleaf Colubrina asiatica Rhamnaceae Laurel fig Ficus microcarpa Moraceae Lead tree Leucaena leucocephala Fabaceae Life plant Kalanchoe pinnata Crassulaceae Lofty fig Ficus altissima Moraceae Loquat Eriobotrya japonica Rosaceae Mahoe Talipariti tiliaceum var. tiliaceum Malvaceae Makulan Piper auritum Piperaceae Mast wood Calophyllum antillanum Clusiaceae Melaleuca Melaleuca quinquenervia Myrtaceae Mexican fan palm Washingtonia robusta Arecaceae Mexican petunia Ruellia simplex Acanthaceae Mimosa Albizia julibrissin Fabaceae Mother-of-millions Kalanchoe x houghtonii Crassulaceae Australian almond Terminalia muelleri Combretaceae Mysore raspberry Rubus niveus Rosaceae Napier grass Pennisetum purpureum Poaceae Natal grass Melinis repens Poaceae Night-blooming cereus Hylocereus undatus Cactaceae Ochrosia Ochrosia elliptica Apocynaceae Old World climbing fern Lygodium microphyllum Lygodiaceae Orange jessamine Murraya paniculata Rutaceae Orchid tree Bauhinia variegata Fabaceae Oyster plant Tradescantia spathacea Commelinaceae Paper mulberry Broussonetia papyrifera Moraceae

Integrated Management of Non-Native Plants in Natural Areas of Florida 29 Common Name Scientific Name Botanical Family Name Para grass Urochloa mutica Poaceae Passionflower Passiflora edulis Passifloraceae Peruvian water primrose Ludwigia peruviana Onagraceae Popcorn tree Triadica sebifera Euphorbiaceae Portia tree Thespesia populnea Malvaceae Pride of India Melia azedarach Meliaceae Punk tree Melaleuca quinquenervia Myrtaceae Purple orchid tree Bauhinia purpurea Fabaceae Queen palm Syagrus romanzoffianum Arecaceae Queensland umbrella tree Schefflera actinophylla Araliaceae Red sandalwood Adenanthera pavonina Fabaceae Rosary pea Abrus precatorius Fabaceae Rose apple Syzygium jambos Myrtaceae Rose Natal grass Melinis repens Poaceae Royal poinciana Delonix regia Fabaceae Santa Maria Calophyllum antillanum Clusiaceae Sapodilla Manilkara zapota Sapotaceae Scholar tree Alstonia scholaris Apocynaceae Sea hibiscus Talipariti tiliaceum var. tiliaceum Malvaceae Seaside mahoe Thespesia populnea Malvaceae Senegal date palm Phoenix reclinata Arecaceae Sewer vine Paederia cruddasiana Rubiaceae Shoebutton ardisia Ardisia elliptica Myrsinaceae Shrub verbena Lantana camara Verbenaceae Silk reed Neyraudia reynaudiana Poaceae Silverthorn Elaeagnus pungens Elaeagnaceae Skunkvine Paederia foetida Rubiaceae Small-leaf spiderwort Tradescantia fluminensis Commelinaceae Solitaire palm Ptychosperma elegans Arecaceae Spiked pepper Piper aduncum Piperaceae Strawberry guava Psidium cattleianum Myrtaceae Suckering Australian pine Casuarina glauca Casuarinaceae Surinam cherry Eugenia uniflora Myrtaceae Toog Bischofia javanica Euphorbiaceae Torpedograss Panicum repens Poaceae Tropical soda apple Solanum viarum Solanaceae Tung tree Aleurites fordii Euphorbiaceae Twoleaf nightshade Solanum diphyllum Solanaceae Umbrella tree Schefflera actinophylla Araliaceae Velvet bean Mucuna pruriens Fabaceae Vera Cruz pepper Piper auritum Piperaceae Washingtonia palm Washingtonia robusta Arecaceae Wedelia Sphagneticola trilobata Asteraceae West Indian dropseed Sporobolus jacquemontii Poaceae West Indian indigo Indigofera suffruticosa Fabaceae

Integrated Management of Non-Native Plants in Natural Areas of Florida 30 Common Name Scientific Name Botanical Family Name West Indian marsh grass Hymenachne amplexicaulis Poaceae Wetland nightshade Solanum tampicense Solanaceae White cheesewood Alstonia scholaris Apocynaceae White orchid tree Bauhinia aculeata Fabaceae Wild indigo Indigofera suffruticosa Fabaceae Wild taro Colocasia esculenta Araceae Winged yam Dioscorea alata Dioscoreaceae Woman’s tongue Albizia lebbeck Fabaceae Wood rose Merremia tuberosa Convolvulaceae Zanzibar yam Dioscorea sansibarensis Dioscoreaceae

Integrated Management of Non-Native Plants in Natural Areas of Florida 31 Table 7. Appendix B: Plants sorted by scientific name (from Wunderlin et al. 2018). Scientific Name Common Name Botanical Family Name Abrus precatorius Rosary pea Fabaceae Acacia auriculiformis Earleaf acacia Fabaceae Adenanthera pavonina Red sandalwood Fabaceae Albizia julibrissin Mimosa Fabaceae Albizia lebbeck Woman’s tongue Fabaceae Aleurites fordii Tung tree Euphorbiaceae Alstonia macrophylla Devil tree Apocynaceae Alstonia scholaris Scholar tree Apocynaceae Alstonia scholaris White cheesewood Apocynaceae Antigonon leptopus Coral vine Polygonaceae Ardisia crenata Coral ardisia Myrsinaceae Ardisia elliptica Shoebutton ardisia Myrsinaceae Bauhinia aculeata White orchid tree Fabaceae Bauhinia purpurea Purple orchid tree Fabaceae Bauhinia variegata Orchid tree Fabaceae Bischofia javanica Bishopwood Euphorbiaceae Bischofia javanica Toog Euphorbiaceae Broussonetia papyrifera Paper mulberry Moraceae Calophyllum antillanum Mast wood Clusiaceae Calophyllum antillanum Santa Maria Clusiaceae Caryota mitis Fishtail palm (multi-stemmed) Arecaceae Caryota urens Fishtail palm (solitary-trunked) Arecaceae Casuarina equisetifolia Australian pine Casuarinaceae Casuarina glauca Beefwood Casuarinaceae Casuarina glauca Suckering Australian pine Casuarinaceae Cestrum diurnum Day jessamine Solanaceae Chamaedorea seifrizii Bamboo palm Arecaceae Cinnamomum camphora Camphor tree Lauraceae Colocasia esculenta Wild taro Araceae Colubrina asiatica Latherleaf Rhamnaceae Cupaniopsis anacardioides Carrotwood Sapindaceae Dalbergia sissoo Indian rosewood Fabaceae Delonix regia Royal poinciana Fabaceae Dioscorea alata Winged yam Dioscoreaceae Dioscorea bulbifera Air potato Dioscoreaceae Dioscorea sansibarensis Zanzibar yam Dioscoreaceae Diospyros digyna Black sapote Ebenaceae Dolichandra unguis-cati Cat’s-claw vine Bignoniaceae Elaeagnus pungens Silverthorn Elaeagnaceae Epipremnum pinnatum cv. aureum Golden pothos Araceae Eriobotrya japonica Loquat Rosaceae Eugenia uniflora Surinam cherry Myrtaceae Ficus altissima Lofty fig Moraceae Ficus benghalensis Banyan fig Moraceae Ficus microcarpa Laurel fig Moraceae

Integrated Management of Non-Native Plants in Natural Areas of Florida 32 Scientific Name Common Name Botanical Family Name Hylocereus undatus Night-blooming cereus Cactaceae Hymenachne amplexicaulis West Indian marsh grass Poaceae Imperata cylindrica Cogongrass Poaceae Indigofera suffruticosa Anil de pasto Fabaceae Indigofera suffruticosa Anil indigo Fabaceae Indigofera suffruticosa West Indian indigo Fabaceae Indigofera suffruticosa Wild indigo Fabaceae Jasminum dichotomum Gold Coast jasmine Oleaceae Jasminum fluminense Brazilian jasmine Oleaceae Kalanchoe pinnata Life plant Crassulaceae Kalanchoe x houghtonii Mother-of-millions Crassulaceae Koelreuteria elegans Flamegold tree Sapindaceae Koelreuteria elegans Golden rain tree Sapindaceae Lantana camara Lantana Verbenaceae Lantana camara Shrub verbena Verbenaceae Leucaena leucocephala Jumbie bean Fabaceae Leucaena leucocephala Lead tree Fabaceae Ligustrum lucidum Glossy privet Oleaceae Ligustrum sinense Chinese privet Oleaceae Livistona chinensis Chinese fan palm Arecaceae Lonicera japonica Japanese honeysuckle Caprifoliaceae Ludwigia peruviana Peruvian water primrose Onagraceae Lygodium japonicum Japanese climbing fern Lygodiaceae Lygodium microphyllum Old World climbing fern Lygodiaceae Manilkara zapota Sapodilla Sapotaceae Melaleuca quinquenervia Melaleuca Myrtaceae Melaleuca quinquenervia Punk tree Myrtaceae Melia azedarach Chinaberry Meliaceae Melia azedarach Pride of India Meliaceae Melinis repens Natal grass Poaceae Melinis repens Rose Natal grass Poaceae Merremia tuberosa Wood rose Convolvulaceae Mimosa pigra Catclaw mimosa Fabaceae Mucuna pruriens Cow itch Fabaceae Mucuna pruriens Velvet bean Fabaceae Murraya paniculata Orange jessamine Rutaceae Nandina domestica Heavenly bamboo Berberidaceae Neyraudia reynaudiana Burma reed Poaceae Neyraudia reynaudiana Silk reed Poaceae Ochrosia elliptica Elliptic yellowwood Apocynaceae Ochrosia elliptica Ochrosia Apocynaceae Paederia cruddasiana Sewer vine Rubiaceae Paederia foetida Chinese fever vine Rubiaceae Paederia foetida Skunkvine Rubiaceae Panicum repens Torpedograss Poaceae

Integrated Management of Non-Native Plants in Natural Areas of Florida 33 Scientific Name Common Name Botanical Family Name Passiflora edulis Passionflower Passifloraceae Pennisetum purpureum Napier grass Poaceae Phoenix reclinata Senegal date palm Arecaceae Phyllostachys aurea Golden bamboo Poaceae Piper aduncum Bamboo piper Piperaceae Piper aduncum False matico Piperaceae Piper aduncum Spiked pepper Piperaceae Piper auritum Makulan Piperaceae Piper auritum Vera Cruz pepper Piperaceae Piper umbellatum Baquina Piperaceae Pouteria campechiana Canistel Sapotaceae Pouteria campechiana Egg fruit Sapotaceae Psidium cattleianum Strawberry guava Myrtaceae Psidium guajava Common guava Myrtaceae Ptychosperma elegans Solitaire palm Arecaceae Pueraria montana var. lobata Kudzu Fabaceae Rhodomyrtus tomentosa Downy rose myrtle Myrtaceae Ricinus communis Castor bean Euphorbiaceae Rubus niveus Mysore raspberry Rosaceae Ruellia simplex Mexican petunia Acanthaceae Sansevieria hyacinthoides Bowstring hemp Ruscaceae Scaevola taccada var. sericea Beach naupaka Goodeniaceae Scaevola taccada var. sericea Half flower Goodeniaceae Schefflera actinophylla Queensland umbrella tree Araliaceae Schefflera actinophylla Umbrella tree Araliaceae Schinus terebinthifolia Brazilian pepper Anacardiaceae Solanum diphyllum Twoleaf nightshade Solanaceae Solanum tampicense Wetland nightshade Solanaceae Solanum viarum Tropical soda apple Solanaceae Sphagneticola trilobata Wedelia Asteraceae Sporobolus jacquemontii Giant smutgrass Poaceae Sporobolus jacquemontii West Indian dropseed Poaceae Syagrus romanzoffianum Queen palm Arecaceae Syngonium podophyllum Arrowhead vine Araceae Syzygium cumini Jambolan plum Myrtaceae Syzygium cumini Java plum Myrtaceae Syzygium jambos Rose apple Myrtaceae Talipariti tiliaceum var. tiliaceum Mahoe Malvaceae Talipariti tiliaceum var. tiliaceum Sea hibiscus Malvaceae Terminalia arjuna Arjun tree Combretaceae Terminalia catappa Indian almond Combretaceae Terminalia muelleri Australian almond Combretaceae Thespesia populnea Portia tree Malvaceae Thespesia populnea Seaside mahoe Malvaceae Tradescantia fluminensis Small-leaf spiderwort Commelinaceae

Integrated Management of Non-Native Plants in Natural Areas of Florida 34 Scientific Name Common Name Botanical Family Name Tradescantia spathacea Oyster plant Commelinaceae Triadica sebifera Chinese tallow Euphorbiaceae Triadica sebifera Popcorn tree Euphorbiaceae Urena lobata Cadillo Malvaceae Urena lobata Caesar weed Malvaceae Urochloa mutica Para grass Poaceae Vitex rotundifolia Beach vitex Lamiaceae Washingtonia robusta Mexican fan palm Arecaceae Washingtonia robusta Washingtonia palm Arecaceae Wisteria sinensis Chinese wisteria Fabaceae

Integrated Management of Non-Native Plants in Natural Areas of Florida 35 FR342

Biology and Control of Cogongrass (Imperata cylindrica) in Southern Forests1 Patrick J. Minogue, Brent V. Brodbeck, and James H. Miller2

Cogongrass Biology Control of cogongrass is difficult because it spreads in two ways: by extensive rhizome systems and by seeds (Holm et Cogongrass (Imperata cylindrica (L.) Beauv.) is a warm- al. 1977, Brook 1989). Cogongrass rhizomes can comprise season perennial grass species found throughout tropical more than 60% of the total plant biomass. The rhizomes and sub-tropical regions of the world (Hubbard 1944). support rapid re-growth following mowing or burning Native to Southeast Asia, cogongrass is an aggressive (Sajise 1976). The fibrous root system grows from nodes on invasive plant that that has spread to all continents except branched rhizomes that form a dense mat able to exclude Antarctica (MacDonald 2004) and is considered among most other vegetation (Ayeni 1985), and may contribute the worst problematic weeds on a global scale (Holm et to rapid re-growth following cutting, disking, or burning al. 1977). In the United States, it is naturalized in Virginia, (Sajise 1976, Ramsey et al. 2003). Rhizomes are tough and North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, white and are covered with light brown colored cataphylls Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, and Oregon (USDA Plants (scale leaves), which form a protective sheath. They have 2017). It was first accidentally introduced in the United short internodes and sharp root caps (Ayeni 1985). The States near Mobile Alabama in 1912 (Tabor 1949 and 1952, aboveground plant has no stems, although individual leaves Dickens 1974) and subsequently intentionally introduced may reach nearly 5 feet in length (Holm et al. 1977, Bryson from the Philippines into Mississippi as a forage crop in and Carter 1993). Leaves exhibit a distinct lime green color 1921 (Tabor 1949 and 1952, Patterson et al. 1979, Tanner and are slender, flat, and linear-lanceolate with serrated leaf and Werner 1986). Plants from Mississippi were replanted margins and a prominent, typically off-center white mid-rib in Florida for forage and soil stabilization in the 1930s (Hubbard 1944, Holm et al. 1977). (Tabor 1949, Hall 1983, USDA NISIC 2017), though its high silica and low protein content made cogongrass an The importance of seeds in the spread of cogongrass in the inadequate forage crop (Coile and Shilling 1993, Garrity et southeastern United States is less clearly established than al. 1993). These early regional introductions contributed to the importance of roots (Dozier et al. 1998, Willard et al. the establishment of cogongrass in the Southeast. Points of 1990, MacDonald 2007, Ludovic et al. 2008). Cogongrass introduction, including forage trials, are often areas where produces prolific seeds (c 3,000 per plant) from compacted, cogongrass remains most well established (Willard et al. cylindrical, shortly branched, spike-like, fluffy, white 1990). Cogongrass is regulated as a federal noxious weed plumes 4 to 8 inches long. Seeds can travel long distances (USDA Plants 2017).

1. This document is FR342, one of a series of the School of Forest Resources and Conservation, UF/IFAS Extension. Original publication date March 2018. Visit the EDIS website at http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu.

2. Patrick J. Minogue, associate professor; Brent Brodbeck, senior biological scientist, School of Forest Resources and Conservation, UF/IFAS North Florida Research and Education Center; and James H. Miller, emeritus scientist, USDA Forest Service, George Andrews Laboratory; UF/IFAS Extension, Gainesville, FL 32611.

The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) is an Equal Opportunity Institution authorized to provide research, educational information and other services only to individuals and institutions that function with non-discrimination with respect to race, creed, color, religion, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, political opinions or affiliations. For more information on obtaining other UF/IFAS Extension publications, contact your county’s UF/IFAS Extension office.

U.S. Department of Agriculture, UF/IFAS Extension Service, University of Florida, IFAS, Florida A & M University Cooperative Extension Program, and Boards of County Commissioners Cooperating. Nick T. Place, dean for UF/IFAS Extension. (Hubbard 1944, McDonald et al. 1996), but generally seed 1995, Ramsey et al. 2003); fast-growing legumes such as movement averages 16 ft (Holm et al. 1977, McDonald et velvetbean have been used successfully in other countries al. 1996). Although seeds are potentially highly germinable (Chikoye et al. 2002). (more than 90% of the seeds will sprout), low spikelet fill often results in much lower germination rates (Schilling et Mechanical control alone has been shown to be ineffective al. 1997, Dozier et al. 1998, Burnell et al. 2003). There may once cogongrass is established. Burning of cogongrass be regional differences in seed viability. Viable seeds have produces unusually hot fires because of the fuel charac- been reported in Florida, Mississippi, and Alabama, but teristics of the aboveground biomass. The sandhills of large areas of cogongrass infestation in central Florida do the southeastern United States support a pyrogenic pine not produce fertile seed (MacDonald 2007). Cogongrass savanna ecosystem sustained by relatively frequent low- is an obligate outcrossing species; therefore, populations intensity fires fueled by native grasses and pine needle-fall. arising from rhizomes persist vegetatively until they grow Lippincott (2000) found that cogongrass invasions into this in close proximity to genetically different populations and ecosystem significantly increase fine fuel loads, resulting in produce viable seed (McDonald et al. 1996, Dozier et al. fires that are more horizontally contiguous and have greater 1998, MacDonald 2007). Seeds have no dormancy, and seed fire heights and higher maximum temperatures. These viability declines rapidly, with a complete loss in viability cogongrass-fueled fires kill juvenile longleaf pine Pinus( after one year (Schilling et al. 1997, Dozier et al. 1998). palustris Mill.). The cogongrass rhizome system is able to Patterns of molecular analyses of stands of cogongrass in persist following fire, whereas many other types of vegeta- different locals suggests that successful long-range dispersal tion do not (Eussen and Wirjahardja 1973; Seavoy 1975). may be due to human activity rather than typical wind Cogongrass patches have been shown to be more numerous dispersal of seeds (Ludovic et al. 2008). and larger in recently burned plots (Holzmueller and Jose 2012). Mowing can temporarily inhibit and remove cogongrass biomass above the ground, but mowing does Control of Cogongrass not suppress cogongrass long-term (Willard et al. 1996). Although cogongrass has many natural pests, including Repeated disking and deep plowing have been shown more than 80 pathogens, 90 insects, and several nematodes to be effective in suppressing or eradicating cogongrass and mites reported worldwide (Van Loan et al. 2002), in intensive agricultural settings, but these practices are in biological control studies insects and fungi have been impractical in many habitats such as forests or natural plant shown to be generally ineffective (Ivens 1980, Brook 1989, communities (MacDonald 2004). MacDonald 2007). Recently, surveys in Asia an East Africa for potential biological control agents, identified several In forests, the only effective method for suppression insect herbivores , including several genera of stem borers or elimination of existing patches of cogongrass is and gall-forming midges, that show some promise. Based chemical control. A body of research in the southeastern on life histories and field collection data, it appears these United States has identified glyphosate, imazapyr, and genera may have restricted host ranges (Overholt et al. combinations of these herbicides as effective in managing 2016). cogongrass, although complete control is achieved only with repeated applications (Willard et al. 1996 and 1997, Establishment of competing vegetation has been more suc- Shilling et al. 1997, Dozier et al. 1998, Johnson 1999, cessful in controlling the spread of cogongrass. Bahiagrass Ramsey et al. 2003). Both glyphosate and imazapyr are (Paspalum notatum Fluegge) sod cover has been effective readily absorbed and translocated to rhizomes (Townson in managing cogongrass infestations in the southeastern and Butler 1990). Used alone, imazapyr is more effective United States (Shilling et al. 1997, Willard and Shilling than glyphosate (Willard et al. 1996, Dozier et al. 1998, 1990). Common hulled bermudagrass (Cynodou doctylon Ramsey et al. 2003), but imazapyr is a broad-spectrum, (L.) Pers.) and hairy indigo (Idigofera hirsuta Harvey) have persistent, soil-active herbicide that often causes damage also inhibited cogongrass establishment (Gaffney 1996), but to non-target vegetation, particularly hardwood trees and bahiagrass, bermudagrass, and hairy indigo are non-native shrubs. Cogongrass control is most effective at the higher and are also potentially invasive in forests and natural areas. labeled rates of glyphosate or imazapyr, and the most effec- In Indonesia, establishment of forests with understory cover tive time of application is in late summer or fall (Shilling et crops has been effective in suppressing, but not eradicating, al. 1997, Willard et al. 1997, Ramsey et al. 2003). Combina- cogongrass (Macdicken et al. 1997). Deep shade has been tions of glyphosate and imazapyr in various proportions shown to reduce cogongrass establishment (Otsama et al. were equally effective as the highest rate tested for these

Biology and Control of Cogongrass (Imperata cylindrica) in Southern Forests 2 herbicides used alone (Willard et al. 1997). Additions of glyphosate product (a product formulation containing 4 lb surfactants and the adjuvant methylated seed oil (MSO) ai glyphosate per gallon) in water is commonly used. Rates also increase efficacy of chemical control (Ramsey et al. of ai applied per acre will increase as spray volumes used 2012). Mechanical techniques (such as tillage) or burning increase. Selectivity is obtained by not spraying the foliage about six weeks before herbicide application may also of desirable plants. Glyphosate is strongly absorbed by the enhance suppression by glyphosate and imazapyr (Willard soil, so uptake through root systems is not a concern. et al. 1996, Ramsey et al. 2003, Enloe et al. 2013). Aulakh et al. (2014) reported progress toward complete eradication Glyphosate products contain varying amounts of of patches of cogongrass using mixtures of glyphosate and surfactants, which improve herbicide uptake by the imazapyr, but only after multiple applications over a 3-year foliage of treated plants. The addition of 1% methylated period. However, most studies result in suppression rather seed oil (MSO) to the spray solution is recommended to than eradication, suggesting the need for examination of slow drying time on the leaf surface and further improve multiple applications and/or higher rates of glyphosate and herbicide uptake by cogongrass foliage (Ramsey et al. 2012). imazapyr. The best time to apply glyphosate depends on location. It is best to make applications before cogongrass begins to go Recommendations into dormancy. For infestations along the Gulf Coast, late summer (September) is the best time, but later applications As emphasized by MacDonald (2004), prevention of may be more effective in the Florida peninsula. establishment is paramount because cogongrass is difficult to eradicate once the rhizome root system is formed. Simple Retreat after a year, or after two years, to control regrowth but vital measures include identification of this highly in persistent patches. Established cogongrass stands may invasive grass and sanitation of soil or mechanical equip- require additional applications but can be eradicated with ment that may be contaminated with either seed or rhizome persistence (Aulakh et al. 2014). Following cogongrass material to prevent cogongrass from infesting new territory. eradication, revegetation with other competitive grasses or groundcover and fast-growing, shade-producing shrubs Once cogongrass is established in forests, chemical control and trees may reduce the likelihood of cogongrass becom- is required. Glyphosate, imazapyr, and combinations of the ing re-established. two herbicides are most effective, but eradication requires multiple applications. In many instances, selective control Cogongrass Management in Pine Forests of cogongrass without damage to desired vegetation is not possible, but where the canopy of shrubs and trees is above Because southern pines are tolerant to imazapyr, this that of cogongrass, glyphosate sprays may be directed to herbicide may be used alone or in combination with cogongrass in the understory with fair selectivity to the glyphosate to control cogongrass selectively in pine forests. taller vegetation.Imazapyr, however, used in the quantities We conducted field research in pine plantations to examine and at the application frequencies necessary to eradicate herbicide rate response over a wide range for both glypho- cogongrass, will kill hardwood trees and shrubs. sate and imazapyr (Minogue et al. 2012). We tested 1.5 to 12 lb ai/acre glyphosate and 0.25 to 2.0 lb ae/acre imazapyr, Cogongrass Management in Mixed Pine- using higher rates than had been used in previous research. We also examined the efficacy of a common combination Hardwood Forests of 3.0 lb ai/acre glyphosate and 0.5 lb ae/acre imazapyr with To avoid injury to hardwood trees or shrubs in mixed pine- varying application volumes from 10 to 40 gal/acre. All hardwood stands, glyphosate alone is commonly used at 3 treatments included 0.5% non-ionic surfactant. To refine to 4 lb ai/acre (3 to 4 quarts per acre for many common 4 lb previous research, we examined two late growing season ai/gallon product formulations), and selectivity is obtained application timings, when herbicide treatments have been by spraying cogongrass in the understory and avoiding any shown to be most effective (mid-September versus mid- spray contact near the crowns of trees and shrubs. Typically, October). Lastly, effects of retreatment one year after the cogongrass excludes other ground cover plants, but herba- initial treatment were quantified. The study was duplicated ceous plants growing at the same height as cogongrass will in southwest Alabama at a location where cogongrass had be sacrificed when sprayed. Cogongrass infestations start been present for over twenty years in a planted slash pine as a small patch, and this is the best time to begin eradica- forest and at a new infestation in a two-year-old loblolly tion. For patches, a “spot treatment” using 4% percent pine plantation. Both sites had similar, near-complete

Biology and Control of Cogongrass (Imperata cylindrica) in Southern Forests 3 cogongrass cover (96–100%) at the initiation of the experi- Imazapyr may be applied to selectively control cogongrass ments. The sites were chosen because they were within 40 in the understory of pine stands using selective “Pine miles of the site where cogongrass was first introduced in Release Treatments” described on the product labels. Rates the United States, and this area still contains some of the up to 0.625 lb ae/acre imazapyr (20 oz Arsenal AC or 40 most abundant infestations of cogongrass in the Southeast. oz Chopper product) may be used in loblolly pine stands, and rates up to 0.5 lb ae/acre imazapyr (16 oz Arsenal or Our research in these pine stands showed that, for both 32 oz Chopper product per acre) may be used in slash or glyphosate and imazapyr, control of cogongrass increased longleaf pine (see product labels for other pine species). linearly with increasing herbicide rate (Figure 1). In However, on sandy soils, pine damage may occur at these general, a single application of the highest rate of each rates because of greater herbicide uptake from the soil by herbicide, far above labeled rates, resulted in only 53 to pine roots. On sandy sites, 0.5 lb ae/acre imazapyr should 89% control, and, with retreatment, control ranged from 77 be the upper limit for loblolly pine, and rates should not to 89% after two years, indicating the need for additional exceed 0.4 lb ae/acre in slash or longleaf pine stands. treatment to attain eradication. Retreatment improved con- Sequential annual applications of imazapyr will also lead to trol with glyphosate at both the new and old infestations. pine injury because the effect of this residual herbicide is Retreatment with imazapyr improved control at the new cumulative, so it is best to use glyphosate alone in alternate infestation, but at the old infestation, differences in control years. Common recommendations for spot treatment of following retreatment diminished with increasing imazapyr cogongrass patches in pine stands include the use of 3 to rate. Whereas cogongrass control improved with increasing 4% glyphosate product (containing 4 lb ai/gallon) plus a 0.5 herbicide rate, increasing application volume from 10 to 40 to 1.0% solution of Arsenal AC or 1.0 to 2.0% solution of gallons per acre for the glyphosate plus imazapyr combina- Chopper (Chopper is less concentrated). To ensure selectiv- tion treatment did not improve control. When averaged ity to pines, observe the limits to the rates of ae imazapyr over all treatments, efficacy was greater when treatments per acre. were applied in September compared to October. References Cited Aulakh, J.S., S.F. Enloe, N.J. Lowenstein, A.J. Price, G. Wehtje, and J.H. Miller. 2014. “Pushing toward cogongrass (Imperata cylindrica) patch eradication: the influence of herbicide treatment and application timing on cogongrass rhizome elimination.” Invas. Plant. Sci. Manage. 7:398–407.

Ayeni, A.O. 1985. “Observations on the vegetative growth of speargrass (Imperata cylindrica (L.) Beauv.)” Agr. Ecosyst. Environ. 13:301–307.

Brook, R.M. 1989. “Review of literature on Imperata cylindrica (L.) Raeuschel with particular reference to South East Asia.” Trop. Pest Manage. 35:12–25.

Bryson, C.T., and R. Carter. 1993. “Cogon grass, Imperata cylindrica, in the United States.” Weed. Tech. 7:1005–9.

Burnell, K.D., J.D. Byrd, Jr., J.D. Ervin, and P.D. Meints. 2003. “Evaluation of plant growth regulators for cogongrass (Imperata cylindrica (L.) Beauv.) seed development and control.” Proc. South. Weed Sci. Soc. 56:342. Figure 1. Percent control of cogongrass 2 years after treatment and 2 years after retreatment for various rates of glyphosate and imazapyr in Chikoye, D., V.M. Manyong, R.J. Carsky, F. Ekeleme, old and new cogongrass infestations. Error bars are ± 1 standard error. G. Gbehounou, and A. Ahanchede. 2002. “Response of Credits: Abstracted from Minogue et al. (2012). South. J. Appl. For. speargrass (Imperata cylindrica) to covercrops integrated 36:19–25 with hand weeding and chemical control in maize and cassava.” Crop Prot. 21:145–156.

Biology and Control of Cogongrass (Imperata cylindrica) in Southern Forests 4 Coile, N.C., and D.G. Shilling. 1993. “Cogongrass, Imperata Johnson, E.R.R.L. 1999. “Management of the non-native cylindrical (L.) Beauv.: a good grass gone bad.” Florida weed cogongrass (Imperata cylindrica (L.) Beauv.) utilizing Depart. Of Agric. And Cons. Serv. Bot. Cir. No. 28. an integrated management program.” MS Thesis, Univ. of Florida. 87p. Dickens, R. 1974. “Cogongrass in Alabama after sixty years.” Weed Sci. 22:177–9. Lippincott, C.L. 2000. “Effects of Imperata cylindrica (L.) Beav. (Cogongrass) invasion on fire regime in Florida Dozier, H., J.F. Gaffney, S.K. McDonald, E.R.R.L. Johnson, sandhill (USA).” Natural Areas Journal. 20(2):140–149. and D.G. Shilling. 1998. “Cogongrass in the United States: history, ecology, impacts, and management.” Weed Technol. Ludovic, J., A. Capo-chichi, W.H. Faircloth, A.G. Wil- 12:737–743. liamson, M.G. Patterson, J.H. Miller, and Edzard van Santen. 2008. “Invasion dynamics and genotypic diversity Enloe, S.F., N.J. Lowenstein, D.W. Held, L. Eckhardt, and of cogongrass (Imperata cylindrica) at the point of introduc- D.K. Lauer. 2013. “Impacts of prescribed fire, glyphosate tion in the southeastern United States.” Invasive Plant Sci. and seeding on cogongrass, species richness and species Manage. 1:133–141. diversity in longleaf pine.” Invasive. Plant. Sci. Manage. 6:536–544. MacDonald, G.E. 2004. “Cogongrass (Imperata cylindrica) – Biology, ecology and management.” Critical Reviews in Eussen, J.H.H., and S. Wirjahardja. 1973. Studies of an Plant Science. 23:367–380. alang-alang, Imperata cylindrica (L.) Beauv. vegetation. Biotropica Bull. No. 6. MacDonald, G.E. 2007. “Cogongrass (Imperata cylindrica): Biology, Distribution and Impacts in the Southeastern Gaffney, J.F. 1996. “Ecophysiological and technical factors U.S. In: A Cogongrass Management Guide.” Loewenstein influencing the management of cogongrass Imperata( N.J. and J.H. Miller eds. Alabama Cooperative Extension cylindrica).” Ph.D. dissertation, University of Florida, System, Auburn School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences, Gainesville, FL. US Dept. Agric. Forest Service. Nov. 7–8, 2007. Mobile Alabama. Garrity, D.P., Kummer, D.M., and E.S. Guiang. 1993. “Country profile: the Philippines.” In:Sustainable Agricul- Macdicken, D.A., K.L. Hairiah, A. Otsamo, D. Dugama, ture and the Environment in the Humid Tropics. National and N.M. Majid. 1997. “Shade based control of Imperata Academy of Science, Washington, D.C. cylindrica: tree fallows and cover crops.” Agroforest. Syst. 36:131–149. Hall, D.W. 1983. “Weed watch … cogon grass.” Florida Weed Sci. Soc. Newsletter 5:1–3. McDonald, S.K., D.G. Shilling, T.A. Bewick, D. Gordon, D. Hall, and R. Smith. 1996. “Factors influencing cogongrass Holm, L.G., D.L. Pucknett, J.B. Pancho, and J.P. Herberger. Imperata cylindrica (L.) Beauv., dispersion, establishment 1977. The World’s Worst Weeds. Distribution and Biology. and persistence.” Weed Sci. Soc. Am. Absts. 36:46. Univ. Press of Hawaii, Honolulu, HI. 609 p. Minogue, P.J., J.H. Miller, and D.K. Lauer. 2012. “Use of Holzmueller, E.J., and S. Jose. 2012. “Response of the glyphosate and imazapyr for cogongrass Imperata cylindrica invasive grass Imperata cylindrica to disturbance in the management of southern pine forests.” South. J. Appl. For. southeastern forests, USA.” Forests 3:853–863. 36:19–25.

Hubbard, C.E. 1944. “Imperata cylindrica. Taxonomy, Overholt, W.A., Hidayat, P., Le Ru, B., Takasu, K., Goolsby, Distribution, Economic Significance and Control.” Imp. J.A., Racelis, A., Burrell, A.M., Amalin, D., Agum, W., Agric. Bur. Joint Publ. No. 7, Imperial Bureau Pastures and Njaku, M., Pallangyo, B., Klein, P.E., and Cuda, J.P. 2016. Forage Crops, Aberystwyth, Wales, Great Britton. 53 p. “Potential biological control agents for management of cogongrass (Cyperales: Poaceae) in the southeastern USA.” Ivens, G.W. 1980. “Imperata cylindrica (L.) Beauv. in West Florida Entomologist. 99(4):734–738. African agriculture.” In: Proceedings of BIOTROP work- shop on alang-alang in Bogor, 27–29 July 1976. Pp 149–156. Biotropica Special Pub. No. 5, Bogor, Indonesia.

Biology and Control of Cogongrass (Imperata cylindrica) in Southern Forests 5 Patterson, D.T., E.E. Terrell, and R. Dickens. 1979. USDA Plants. 2017. Nat. Res. Cons. Serv. Plants Database- “Cogongrass in Mississippi.” Mississippi Agricultural Forest Invasive and Noxious Weeds. https://plants.usda.gov/core/ Experiment Station Research Report 46:1–3. profile?symbol=IMCY. Accessed July 6, 2017.

Ramsey, C.L., S. Jose, D.L. Miller, J. Cox, K.M. Portier, Van Loan, A.N., J.R. Meeker, and M.C. Minno. 2002. D.K. Shilling, and S. Merritt. 2003. “Cogongrass (Imperata “Cogongrass.” In: Biological control of invasive plants in the cylindrica (L.) Beauv.) response to herbicides and discking eastern United States. Van Driesche, R. ed., USDA Forest on a cutover site in a mid-rotation pine plantation in Service Pub FHTET-2002-04. 413p. southern USA.” Forest Ecol. Manage. 179:195–2009. Willard, T.R., J.F. Gaffney, and D.G. Shilling. 1997. “Influ- Ramsey C.L., S. Jose, and D. Zamora. 2012. “Cogongrass ence of herbicide combinations and application technology (Imperata cylindrica (L.)) control with imazapyr and on cogongrass (Imperata cylindrica) control.” Weed Technol. glyphosate combined with and without four adjuvants.” 11-76-80. South. J. Appl. For. 36:204–210. Willard, T.R., D.G. Shilling, J.F. Gafney, and W.L. Currey. Sajise, P.E. 1976. Evaluation of cogon (Imperata cylindrica 1996. “Mechanical and chemical control of cogongrass (L.)) as a serial stage in Philippine vegetational succes- (Imperata cylindrica).” Weed Technol. 10:722–726. sion. 1. The cogonal serial stage and plant succession. 2. Autecological studies of cogon. Dissertation Abstracts Willard, T.R., and D.G. Shilling. 1990. “The influence International B (1973) 3040-3041. From: Weed Abstracts of growth stage and mowing on competition between 1976, No. 1339. Paspalumnotatum and Imperata cylindrica.” Trop. Grassl. 24:81–86. Seavoy, R.E. 1975. “The origin of tropical grasslands in Kalimantan, Indonesia.” J. Trop. Geo. 40:48–52. Willard, T.R., D.W. Hall, D.G. Shilling, J.A. Lewis, and W.L. Currey. 1990. “Cogongrass (Imperata cylindrica) distribu- Shilling, D.G., T.A. Bewick, J.F. Gaffney, S.K. McDonald, tion on Florida highway rights-of-way.” Weed Technol. C.A. Chase, and E.R.R.L. Johnson. 1997. “Ecology, physiol- 4:658–660. ogy, and management of cogongrass (Imperata cylindrica).” Final Report, Florida Institute of Phosphate Research. 128p.

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Biology and Control of Cogongrass (Imperata cylindrica) in Southern Forests 6 SS-AGR-17

Brazilian Peppertree Control1 K. T. Gioeli, S. F. Enloe, C. R. Minteer, and K. A. Langeland2

Common Name: Brazilian peppertree Scientific Name: Schinus terebinthifolia Family Name: Anacardiaceae (cashew or sumac family)

The invasion of many non-native species is harming Florida’s natural ecosystems. Invasive plants are a major component of this phenomenon. Brazilian peppertree is one of the worst offenders (Cuda et al. 2006). This plant is encroaching upon nearly all terrestrial ecosystems in central and south Florida. Brazilian peppertree is the most widely distributed and abundant invasive species in the Florida Everglades, occupying 30,379 ha (Rodgers, Pernas, and Hill 2014). Brazilian peppertree is native to Brazil, Argentina, and Paraguay (Langeland et al 2008). It is thought to have been introduced to Florida in the 1840s as an ornamental plant (Figure 1) (Barkley 1944). Habitat Brazilian peppertree is sensitive to cold temperatures, so it is more abundant in south Florida and protected areas of Figure 1. Brazilian peppertree with berries. central and north Florida. Brazilian peppertree colonizes Credits: C. Minteer, UF/IFAS native tree hammocks, pine flatlands, and mangrove forest communities. It has also colonized the margins of countless roads, rights of way, levees, and canals throughout south and central Florida.

1. This document is SS-AGR-17, one of a series of the Agronomy Department, UF/IFAS Extension. Original publication date April 1997. Revised November 2018. Visit the EDIS website at https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu for the currently supported version of this publication.

2. K. T. Gioeli, county program Extension agent IV, UF/IFAS Extension St. Lucie County; S. F. Enloe, associate professor, Agronomy Department, UF/IFAS Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants; C. R. Minteer, assistant professor, Department of Entomology and Nematology, UF/IFAS Indian River Research and Education Center; and K. A. Langeland, professor emeritus, Agronomy Department, UF/IFAS Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants; UF/IFAS Extension, Gainesville, FL 32611.

The use of trade names in this publication is solely for the purpose of providing specific information. UF/IFAS does not guarantee or warranty the products named, and references to them in this publication do not signify our approval to the exclusion of other products of suitable composition. Use herbicides safely. Read and follow directions on the manufacturer’s label.

The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) is an Equal Opportunity Institution authorized to provide research, educational information and other services only to individuals and institutions that function with non-discrimination with respect to race, creed, color, religion, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, political opinions or affiliations. For more information on obtaining other UF/IFAS Extension publications, contact your county’s UF/IFAS Extension office.

U.S. Department of Agriculture, UF/IFAS Extension Service, University of Florida, IFAS, Florida A & M University Cooperative Extension Program, and Boards of County Commissioners Cooperating. Nick T. Place, dean for UF/IFAS Extension. Identification The cotyledons (embryonic leaves) are simple; both the apex and the base have an obtuse outline. The margin is generally curved inward on one side. The first true leaves are simple with a toothed margin (Figure 2). The later leaves are compound.

Figure 3. Brazilian peppertree winged midrib. Credits: C. Minteer, UF/IFAS

Figure 4. White flowers of the Brazilian peppertree. Figure 2. Brazilian peppertree seedlings. Credits: C. Minteer, UF/IFAS Credits: UF/IFAS Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants Mature Plant Brazilian peppertree is a shrub or small tree that grows to 10 m (33 ft) tall with a short trunk which is usually hidden in a dense head of contorted, intertwining branches. The leaves have a reddish and sometimes winged midrib (Figure 3), and three to 13 sessile, oblong or elliptic, finely toothed leaflets, 2.5 to 5 cm (1 to 2 in) long. Leaves smell of turpen- tine when crushed. The plants have separate male or female flowers. Each sex occurs on separate plants (Figure 5). The male and female flowers are white (Figure 4) and consist of five parts with male flowers having 10 stamens in two rows of five (Figure 5). Petals are 1.5 mm (0.6 in) long. The male flowers also have a lobed disc within the stamens. The fruits are found on female plants in clusters. These fruits are glossy, green, and juicy at first. They become bright red on ripening and grow to 6 mm (2.4 in) wide. The mature fruit is a small, bright red, spherical drupe (Langeland et al. 2008). Seeds measure 0.3 mm in diameter and are dark brown in color (UF/IFAS Center for Aquatic and Invasive Figure 5. Brazilian peppertree fruiting and flowering. Credits: UF/IFAS Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants Plants 2018).

Brazilian Peppertree Control 2 Biology ester is applied to the lower part of the trunk in a 12- to 18-in band around the circumference of the tree. Further Flowering occurs predominantly from September through research is needed to confirm positive control results. It November in Florida. Fruits are usually mature by Decem- may take several weeks before the herbicide’s effects become ber. Birds and mammals are the primary means of seed apparent. Defoliation, a lack of new shoots, and the pres- dispersal. The removal of the pulp around the seed by the ence of termites are indicators that the treatment has been digestive tract of birds increases the seed’s germination rate successful. (Dlamini, Zachariades, and Downs 2018). Brazilian pep- pertree’s high seed viability combined with animal dispersal Basal bark treatments are most effective in the fall when may help explain widespread colonization. Brazilian peppertrees are flowering due to the high level of translocation occurring within the trees. Fruiting occurs Chemical Control during winter, and Brazilian peppertrees that have been Using Herbicides treated using a basal bark application may retain their fruit. The herbicide will move downward to the roots with the sap Herbicides that aid in the control of Brazilian peppertrees flow. In this situation, the area will need to be checked for are available (Table 1). Only herbicides recommended for seedlings on a regular basis. Brazilian peppertree control should be used. It is illegal to use an herbicide in a manner inconsistent with the label’s Foliar Herbicide Application instructions; therefore, read the label carefully and follow the instructions. For more information on the individual Foliar herbicide application can be used on Brazilian plant treatments listed below, see EDIS document SS- peppertree seedlings and saplings. An herbicide containing AGR-260, Herbicide Application Techniques for Woody Plant triclopyr or glyphosate is applied directly to the foliage. Control (http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ag245). Spray to wet, but not to the point of runoff. Good cover- age is essential. Although both herbicides translocate Cut Stump Application throughout the plant, coverage on only one side of a tree with glyphosate or triclopyr will not completely kill it. Keep Cutting down Brazilian peppertrees and treating the tops in mind that foliar applications require considerably more of the stumps with herbicide comprise one method of herbicide to control Brazilian peppertree. Take precautions control. A saw should be used to cut the trunk as close to to prevent herbicide drift injury to nearby plants. the ground as possible. Within five minutes, an herbicide containing the active ingredient glyphosate or triclopyr should be applied carefully to the thin layer of living tissue, Biological Control called the cambium, which is just inside the bark of the For biological control agents to be approved for release in stump. Florida, scientists must show that those agents are specific to Brazilian peppertree. Scientists have identified four The best time to cut Brazilian peppertrees is when they are insect species that may prove to be effective biological not fruiting. Seeds in the fruits can produce new Brazilian control agents: one thrips and three species of leaf-galling peppertrees. If fruiting Brazilian peppertrees are cut, care insects in the family Calophyidae. Both the thrips and the should be taken not to spread the fruits to locations where leaf gallers feed on new shoots. The Technical Advisory they might become established. Group for Biological Control of Weeds recommended the thrips (Pseudophilothrips ichini) and one of the galling Caution: Brazilian peppertree produces a sap that may species (Calophya latiforceps) for release in 2016. Scientists result in contact dermatitis in some people. When cutting from UF/IFAS expect au­thorization to release these insects trees, avoid the sap if possible. Individuals who are highly in the future. As of June 2018, release permits for both of sensitive to the sap may also be affected simply by touching these species were in the process of being approved. Both of the leaves. Use proper protective gear when cutting the tree these species are host-specific to Brazilian peppertree and and applying the herbicides. have been shown to damage the plant in laboratory studies (Prade et al. 2016; Manrique et al. 2014). Basal Bark Herbicide Application Brazilian peppertrees can be controlled using basal bark herbicide application. In this method, an application of an herbicide product containing the active ingredient triclopyr

Brazilian Peppertree Control 3 For more information, consult the following EDIS the digital aerial sketch mapping technique.” Invasive Plant publications: Science and Management 7: 360–74.

EENY689: Yellow Brazilian Pepper-Tree Leaf Galler (Sug- UF/IFAS Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants. 2018. gested Common Name) Calophya latiforceps Burckhardt “Schinus terebinthifolia.” Plant Directory. Accessed on (Insecta: Hemiptera: Calophyidae: Calophyinae)—http:// October 31, 2018. https://plants.ifas.ufl.edu/plant-directory/ edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in1186 schinus-terebinthifolia/#desc

ENY-820: Classical Biological Control of Brazilian Peppertree (Schinus terebinthifolia) in Florida—http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ in114

EENY270: Brazilian Peppertree Seed Wasp, Megastigmus transvaalensis (Hymenoptera: Torymidae)—http://edis.ifas. ufl.edu/in453 References Barkley, F. A. 1944. Schinus L. Brittonia 5: 160–98.

Cuda, J. P., A. P. Ferriter, V. Manrique, and J. C. Medal. 2006. Florida’s Brazilian Peppertree Management Plan: Recommendations from the Brazilian Peppertree Task Force, 2nd Edition. Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council. http://www. fleppc.org/Manage_Plans/2006BPmanagePlan5.pdf

Dlamini, P., C. Zachariades, and C. Downs. 2018. “The effect of frugivorous birds on seed dispersal and germination of the invasive Brazilian pepper tree (Schinus terebinthifolius) and Indian laurel (Litsea glutinosa).” S. Afr. J. Bot. 114: 61–8.

Langeland, K. A., H. M. Cherry, C. M. McCormick, and K. A. Craddock Burks. 2008. Identification & Biology of Non-Native Plants in Florida’s Natural Areas, 2nd Edition. Gainesville, FL: University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences.

Manrique, V., R. Diaz, L. Erazo, N. Reddi, G. S. Wheeler, D. Williams, and W. A. Overholt. 2014. “Comparison of two populations of Pseudophilothrips ichini (Thysanoptera: Phlaeothripidae) as candidates for biological control of the invasive weed Schinus terebinthifolia (Sapindales: Anacar- diaceae).” Biocontrol Sci. Technol. 24: 518–35.

Prade, P., R. Diaz, M. D. Vitorino, J. P. Cuda, P. Kumar, B. Gruber, and W. A. Overholt. 2016. “Galls induced by Calophya latiforceps (Hemiptera: Calophyidae) reduce leaf performance and growth of Brazilian peppertree.” Biocon- trol Sci. Technol. 26: 23–34.

Rodgers, L., T. Pernas, and S. D. Hill. 2014. “Mapping invasive plant distributions in the Florida Everglades using

Brazilian Peppertree Control 4 Table 1. Herbicides and application methods for Brazilian peppertree control. Active Ingredient1 Application Methods Comments Glyphosate Cut stump, foliar Use a glyphosate product that contains 41% active ingredient or higher. Avoid RTU (ready-to-use) formulations because they will not be effective. Imazapyr (2 lb/gallon) Cut stump, foliar (low volume), Not for use near desirable trees and shrubs. basal bark Triclopyr amine Cut stump, foliar Some products available in small containers from retail garden suppliers. Triclopyr ester Cut stump, foliar, basal bark Available from agricultural suppliers. Do not apply directly to water. 1 Based on the acid.

Brazilian Peppertree Control 5

APPENDIX D Protected Species Survey

PROTECTED SPECIES SURVEY

DOS2020-00105

BUCCANEER ESTATES FORT MYERS, LEE COUNTY, FLORIDA

Prepared by: © 2021 Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc. 1412 Jackson Street #2, Fort Myers, Florida Phone: 239 271 2650 www.kimley-horn.com CA 00000696

ATTACHMENT 1 POTENTIAL LEE LISTED SPECIES WITHIN FLUCCS REGISTERS AT PROPOSED BUCCANNER ESTATES EXPANSION

TABLE 1 POTENTIAL LEE LISTED SPECIES WITHIN FLUCCS REGISTERS AT PROPOSED BUCCANNER ESTATES EXPANSION

FLUCCS FLUCCS DESCRIPTION POTENTIAL SPECIES * CODE

MOBILE HOME UNITS 132 None (ASSOCIATED PARKING)

UNDEVELOPED LAND 191 Burrowing owl, least tern WITHIN URBAN AREAS URBAN LAND IN 193 None TRANSITION Eastern indigo OTHER SHRUBS AND 329 snake, Gopher tortoise,Gopher frog, Curtis milkweed, BRUSH Fakahatchee burmannia, Florida coontie Eastern indigo snake, Gopher tortoise, Gopher frog, Southeastern American 411 PINE FLATWOODS kestrel, Red-cockaded woodpecker, Big Cypress fox squirrel, Florida black bear, Fakahatchee burmannia, Satinleaf, Beautiful pawpaw, Florida coontie

Eastern indigo 428 CABBAGE PALM snake, Audobon's crested caracara, Florida black bear, Simpon's stopper

HARDWOOD CONFIFER 434 Florida panther MIXED

438 MIXED HARDWOODS Florida black bear

American alligator,Roseate spoonbill,Limpkin,Little blue 511 NATURAL STREAMS heron,Reddish egret, Snowy egret, Tricolored heron, Everglades mink American alligator,Roseate spoonbill,Limpkin,Little blue 513 UPLAND-CUT DITCH heron,Reddish egret, Snowy egret, Tricolored heron, Everglades mink

MIXED WETLAND Limpkin, Florida panther, Florida black bear, Little blue heron, 617 HARDWOODS snowy egret, Tricolored heron

Note: * According to Appendix H - Protected Species List of Lee County Development Code I 0 125 250

Feet 191

132 411

Legend PROJECT BOUNDARY (58.89 ± AC) FLUCCS CODE - FLUCCS DESCRIPTION 132 - MOBILE HOME UNITS* (*ASSOCIATED PARKING) 191 - UNDEVELOPED LAND WITHIN URBAN AREAS 193 - URBAN LAND IN TRANSITION 329 - OTHER SHRUBS AND BRUSH 411 - PINE FLATWOODS 428 - CABBAGE PALM 434 - HARDWOOD CONFIFER MIXED 438 - MIXED HARDWOODS 511 - NATURAL STREAMS 329 513 - UPLAND-CUT DITCH 617 - MIXED WETLAND HARDWOODS

434

191 428 193 191

513 434 428 438

329 617 511

191 438

617

434

KHA Project 046456003 © 2021 Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc. FIG LAND USE & LAND COVER MAP 1412 Jackson Street #2, Fort Myers, Florida Buccaneer Estates, Lee County, Florida April 2021 Phone: 239 271 2650 1 www.kimley-horn.com CA 00000696

ATTACHMENT 2

POTENTIAL LEE LISTED SPECIES PRESENCE, DENSITY, AND ABUNDANCE WITHIN FLUCCS REGISTERS AT PROPOSED BUCCANNER ESTATES EXPANSION

TABLE 2

POTENTIAL LEE LISTED SPECIES PRESENCE, DENSITY, AND ABUNDANCE WITHIN FLUCCS REGISTERS AT PROPOSED BUCCANNER ESTATES ADDITION

D

FLUCCS COMMON SCIENTIFIC NAME CODE # NAME (%)

PRESENT AREA AREA (ACRES) (ACRES) FLUCCS ABSENT PRESENT DENSITY** SURVEYED SURVEYED SURVEYED OBSERVE

Alligator American 511, 513 1.08 0.98 90.74% X 0 0 mississipiensis alligator

American Crocodylus acutus N/A 0 0 0 X 0 0 crocodile Eastern Drymarchon corais indigo 329, 411, 428 19.5 15.94 81.74% X 0 0 couperi snake

Gopherus Gopher 329, 411 16.65 13.66 82.04% X 22 27 polyphemus tortoise REPTILESAMPHIBIANS&

Rana areolata Gopher frog 329, 411 16.65 13.66 82.04% X 0 0

Roseate Ajaia ajaja 511, 513 1.08 0.98 90.74% X 0 0 spoonbill Aphelocoma Florida scrub coerulescens N/A 0 0 0 X 0 0 jay coerulescens

Aramus guarauna Limpkin 511, 513, 617 3.33 2.82 84.68% X 0 0

Athene cunicularia Burrowing 191 7.94 6.44 81.11% X 0 0 floridana owl

BIRDS Charadrius Southeastern alexandrinus N/A 0 0 0 X 0 0 snowy plover tenitrostris Charadrius Piping plover N/A 0 0 0 X 0 0 melodus Little blue Egretta caerulea 511, 513, 617 3.33 2.82 84.68% X 2 2 heron Reddish Egretta rufescens 511, 513 1.08 0.98 90.74% X 0 0 egret

D

FLUCCS COMMON

SCIENTIFIC NAME CODE # NAME (%)

PRESENT AREA AREA (ACRES) (ACRES) FLUCCS ABSENT PRESENT DENSITY** SURVEYED SURVEYED SURVEYED OBSERVE

Egretta thula Snowy egret 511, 513, 617 3.33 2.82 84.68% X 1 1

Tricolored Egretta tricolor 511, 513, 617 3.33 2.82 84.68% X 0 0 heron Arctic Falco peregrinus peregrine N/A 0 0 0 X 0 0 tundrius falcon

Southeastern Falco sparverius American 411 9.17 7.54 82.22% X 0 0 paulus kestrel

Grus Grus canadensis canadensis N/A 0 0 0 X 0 0 pratensis pratensis Haematopus American N/A 0 0 0 X 0 0 palliatus oystercatcher Mycteria Wood stork N/A 0 0 0 X 0 0 americana Pelecanus Brown N/A 0 0 0 X 0 0 occidentalis pelican Red- Picoides borealis cockaded 411 9.17 7.54 82.22% X 0 0 woodpecker Audobon's Polyborus plancus crested 428 2.85 2.28 80.00% X 0 0 audubonii caracara Rostrhamus Snail kite N/A 0 0 0 X 0 0 sociabilis

Sterna antillarum Least tern 191 7.94 6.44 81.11% X 0 0

Sterna douballii Roseate tern N/A 0 0 0 X 0 0

Florida 411, 428, 434, Felis concolor coryi 29.61 24.4 82.40% X 0 0 panther 617

Mustela vison Everglades 511, 513 1.08 0.98 90.74% X 0 0 evergladensis mink MAMMALS Sciurus niger Big Cypress 411 9.17 7.54 82.22% X 0 0 avicennia fox squirrel

D

FLUCCS COMMON

SCIENTIFIC NAME CODE # NAME (%)

PRESENT AREA AREA (ACRES) (ACRES) FLUCCS ABSENT PRESENT DENSITY** SURVEYED SURVEYED SURVEYED OBSERVE

Ursus americanus Florida black 411, 428, 617 14.27 11.66 81.71% X 0 0 floridanus bear Curtis Asclepias curtissii 329 7.48 6.12 81.82% X 0 0 milkweed Fakahatchee Burmannia flava 329, 411 16.65 13.66 82.04% X 0 0 burmannia Iguana Celtis iguanaea N/A 0 0 0 X 0 0 hackberry Spiny Celtis pallida N/A 0 0 0 X 0 0 hackberry

Cereus gracillis Prickly-apple N/A 0 0 0 X 0 0 Chrysophyllum Satinleaf 411 9.17 7.54 82.22% X 0 0 olivaeforme Deeringothamnus Beautiful 411 9.17 7.54 82.22% X 0 0 pulchellus pawpaw

Sanibel love Eragrostis tracyi N/A 0 0 0 X 0 0 grass

PLANTS s Golden Erondia littoralis N/A 0 0 0 X 0 0 creeper Gossypium Wild cotton N/A 0 0 0 X 0 0 hirsutum

Jacquina keyensis Joewood N/A 0 0 0 X 0 0 Myrcianthes Simpon's fragrans var. 428 2.85 2.28 80.00% X 0 0 stopper simpsonii Ophioglossum Hand adder's N/A 0 0 0 X 0 0 palmatum tongue fern Twisted air Tillandsia flexuosa N/A 0 0 0 X 0 0 plant Florida Zamia floridana 329, 411 16.65 13.66 82.04% X 0 0 coontie * According to Appendix H - Protected Species List of Lee County Development Code Note: ** - Expected individuals per acre of FLUCCS types associated with Lee County Protected Species

ATTACHMENT 3

LISTED SPECIES SURVEY RESULTS ¶[ I 0 125 250

Feet 191 [®

Legend LISTED SPECIES 132 [® SNOWY EGRET 411

[® LITTLE BLUE HERON (1)

¶[ POTENTIALLY OCCUPIED GOPHER TORTOISE BURROW (22) ¶[ ABANDONED GOPHER TORTOISE BURROW (1) PROJECT BOUNDARY (58.89 ± AC) TRANSECTS [® BELT TRANSECTS FLUCCS CODE - FLUCCS DESCRIPTION 132 - MOBILE HOME UNITS* (*ASSOCIATED PARKING) 191 - UNDEVELOPED LAND WITHIN URBAN AREAS 193 - URBAN LAND IN TRANSITION 329 - OTHER SHRUBS AND BRUSH 411 - PINE FLATWOODS 428 - CABBAGE PALM 434 - HARDWOOD CONFIFER MIXED 329 438 - MIXED HARDWOODS [® 511 - NATURAL STREAMS 513 - UPLAND-CUT DITCH 617 - MIXED WETLAND HARDWOODS

434

191 428 193 191

513 434 428 438 ¶[ ¶[ ¶[ ¶[ ¶[ ¶[ ¶[¶[ ¶[¶[ ¶[ 329 ¶[ 617 ¶[ ¶[¶[ 511 [ ¶ ¶[ ¶[ ¶[¶[ ¶[ 191 ¶[ ¶[ ¶[[ ¶[ 438 ¶[¶

¶[ 617 ¶[ ¶[ ¶[ 434

KHA Project 046456003 © 2021 Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc. FIG LISTED SPECIES OBSERVATIONS AND SURVEY 1412 Jackson Street #2, Fort Myers, Florida Buccaneer Estates, Lee County, Florida April 2021 Phone: 239 271 2650 2 www.kimley-horn.com CA 00000696

APPENDIX E SHPO Documents

Source: Esri, DigitalGlobe, GeoEye, Earthstar Geographics, CNES/Airbus DS, USDA, USGS, AeroGRID, IGN, and the GIS User Community, Sources: Esri, HERE, Garmin, Intermap, increment P Corp., GEBCO, USGS, FAO, NPS, NRCAN, GeoBase, IGN, Kadaster NL, Ordnance Survey, Esri Japan, METI, Esri China (Hong Kong), (c) OpenStreetMap contributors, and the GIS User Community

APPENDIX F FWC Correspondence Browne, Rick

From: Cucinella, Josh Sent: Tuesday, October 13, 2020 4:56 PM To: [email protected] Cc: Vanbuskirk, Peter; Browne, Rick; [email protected]; Keltner, James; Conservation Planning Services Subject: FWC's comments on Buccaneer Estates (200917-4292), Lee County Attachments: FWC_Florida Black Bear Technical Assistance 2020.pdf

Categories: External

Dear Mr. Almond:

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) staff reviewed the Buccaneer Estates in accordance with our authorities under Chapter 379, Florida Statutes. At this time, our comments are limited to advisory information and recommendations for reducing potential conflicts with Florida black bears (Ursus americanus floridanus) at the proposed manufactured home expansion project located northeast of Queen Street, immediately east of the existing Buccaneer Estates community in Lee County.

FWC has received 79 reports of human-bear conflicts within roughly a five-mile radius of the project site since 2010. Florida black bears are common in this area which is within the South Bear Management Unit identified in the 2019 Bear Management Plan. Please review the attached document for important information related to potential measures that can be taken to avoid or minimize negative wildlife interactions during the planning, construction, and operation phases of this project.

If you need any further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact our office by email at [email protected]. If you have specific technical questions, please contact Jim Keltner at (239) 332-6972 x9209 or by email [email protected].

Sincerely,

Josh Cucinella Biological Administrator II Office of Conservation Planning Services Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission 1239 SW 10th Street Ocala, Florida 34471 (352) 620-7330

Buccaneer Estates_42488

1

Technical Assistance Regarding the Florida Black Bear - 2020

Dear Applicant, Property Owner, and Interested Parties:

According to Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) data, there is the potential for Florida black bears (Ursus americanus floridanus) to occur in the project area. The FWC received a sufficient number of reports of human-bear conflicts, evidence of bears collected by researchers, reports of bears killed by vehicles surrounding the project, or other data to recommend measures that may prevent or reduce conflicts with bears. Florida Fish and Wildlife While Florida black bears tend to shy away from people, they are adaptable and will take advantage of Conservation human-provided food sources. This includes sources that are currently available near this site or sources Commission available after construction, including unsecured garbage, pet food, and bird seed. Once bears become accustomed to finding food around people, their natural wariness is reduced to the point that there can be an Commissioners increased risk to private property and public safety. Robert A. Spottswood Chairman During the construction phase, construction sites should be kept clean, with refuse that might attract bears Key West kept separate from construction debris and stored securely in bear-resistant containers or removed daily

Michael W. Sole from the construction site before dark. Refuse that might attract bears includes all food and drink-related Vice Chairman materials, as well as any items with strong scents like cleaning agents. If a homeowners’ association or Tequesta community covenants are planned, by-laws that would require residents to take measures to prevent

Rodney Barreto attracting bears into the neighborhood are recommended. By-law language used by other Florida Coral Gables communities is available at (http://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/managed/bear/living/community- group/bylaw/). Once construction activities are complete, residents should be provided with bear-resistant Steven Hudson garbage cans as part of their regular waste service and any larger waste storage containers should also be Fort Lauderdale bear-resistant. Providing residents with information on how to avoid human-bear conflicts is also Gary Lester recommended. This information can include: Oxford • Options for keeping garbage secure which can include using bear-resistant garbage containers, Gary Nicklaus Jupiter modifying regular cans to be bear-resistant, or keeping cans secure in a garage or sturdy shed and then placing garbage on the curb the morning of pick-up rather than the night before Sonya Rood (http://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/managed/bear/living/attractants/); St. Augustine • Removing bird and wildlife feeders, or modifying them to exclude bears (http://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/managed/bear/wildlife-feeders/); • Using electric fencing to secure outdoor attractants like fruiting trees/shrubs, gardens, compost, Office of the Executive Director and small livestock (https://myfwc.com/media/1886/ElectricFence.pdf/); Eric Sutton • Proper composting in bear range Executive Director (https://myfwc.com/media/1888/howtocompostinbearcountry.pdf);

Thomas H. Eason, Ph.D. • Keeping pets safe (https://myfwc.com/media/1892/protect-your-pet.pdf ); and Assistant Executive Director • Cleaning and securing barbeque grills. Jennifer Fitzwater Chief of Staff Information should also include guidelines for how residents should respond to bears in the area, such as:

850-487-3796 850-921-5786 FAX • What to do if they encounter a bear, whether from a distance or at close range (https://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/wildlife/bear/living/encounter/), and Managing fish and wildlife • When and how to contact the FWC regarding a bear issue resources for their long-term well-being and the benefit (https://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/wildlife/bear/nuisance-contact/). of people. FWC can always assist with residential planning to incorporate the above recommendations and reduce the

potential for unwanted interactions between bears and humans. Please feel free to contact our office at [email protected] for technical assistance.

620 South Meridian Street Sincerely, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1600 Voice: 850-488-4676

Hearing/speech-impaired: 800-955-8771 (T) 800 955-8770 (V) Jason Hight Land Use Planning Program Administrator MyFWC.com Office of Conservation Planning Services