Weeds in natural areas
These weed reports are from the Weed Control in Natural Areas in the Western United States book. To purchase a copy of the book, visit the UC ANR catalog (https://anrcatalog.ucanr.edu/Details.aspx?itemNo=3547) and search for Publication 3547.
- List by COMMON NAME (alphabetically)
- List by SCIENTIFIC NAME (alphabetically)
To search through the list, use "Ctrl F" (FIND function.)
| COMMON NAME | Scientific name | Family |
| Absinth wormwood | Artemisia absinthium | Asteraceae |
| African mustard | Malcolmia africana | Brassicaceae |
| African rue | Peganum harmala | Zygophyllaceae |
| Algerian ivy | Hedera canariensis | Araliaceae |
| Alligatorweed | Alternanthera philoxeroides | Amaranthaceae |
| Amaranths | Amaranthus spp. | Amaranthaceae |
| American pondweed | Potamogeton nodosus | Potamogetonaceae |
| Annual bursage | Ambrosia acanthicarpa | Asteraceae |
| Annual false-brome | Brachypodium distachyon | |
| Artichoke thistle | Cynara cardunculus | Asteraceae |
| Atlantic ivy | Hedera hibernica | Araliaceae |
| Australian saltbush | Atriplex semibaccata | Chenopodiaceae |
| Baby’s-breath | Gypsophila paniculata | Caryophyllaceae |
| Barb goatgrass | · Aegilops triuncialis · UC ANR Publ 8315 | Poaceae |
| Barbwire Russian-thistle | Salsola paulsenii | Chenopodiaceae |
| Bermuda buttercup | Oxalis pes-caprae | Oxalidaceae |
| Bermudagrass | Cynodon dactylon | Poaceae |
| Big periwinkle | Vinca major | Apocynaceae |
| Big quakinggrass | Briza maxima | Poaceae |
| Birdsfoot trefoil | Lotus corniculatus | Fabaceae |
| Birdsrape mustard | Brassica rapa | Brassicaceae |
| Black acacia | Acacia melanoxylon | Fabaceae |
| Black henbane | Hyoscyamus niger | Solanaceae |
| Black locust | Robinia pseudoacacia | Fabaceae |
| Black mustard | Brassica nigra | Brassicaceae |
| Blessed milkthistle | Silybum marianum | Asteraceae |
| Blue mustard | Chorispora tenella | Brassicaceae |
| Blueweed | Echium vulgare | Boraginaceae |
| Bohemian knotweed | Polygonum x bohemicum | Polygonaceae |
| Bouncingbet | Saponaria officinalis | Caryophyllaceae |
| Brassbuttons | Cotula coronopifolia | Asteraceae |
| Brazilian egeria | Egeria densa | Hydrocharitaceae |
| Bridal creeper | Asparagus asparagoides | Liliaceae |
| Bristly oxtongue | Picris echioides | Asteraceae |
| Broadleaf dock | Rumex obtusifolius | Polygonaceae |
| Broadleaf forget-me-not | Myosotis latifolia | Boraginaceae |
| Buckhorn plantain | Plantago lanceolata | Plantaginaceae |
| Buffelgrass | Pennisetum ciliare | Poaceae |
| Bulbous bluegrass | Poa bulbosa | Poaceae |
| Bull thistle | Cirsium vulgare | Asteraceae |
| Bur buttercup | Ceratocephala testiculata | Ranunculaceae |
| Bur buttercup | Ranunculus testiculatus | Ranunculaceae |
| Bur chervil | Anthriscus caucalis | Apiaceae |
| Burnweeds | Erechtites spp. | Asteraceae |
| Buttercup oxalis | Oxalis pes-caprae | Oxalidaceae |
| Butterflybush | Buddleja davidii | Buddlejaceae |
| California burclover | Medicago polymorpha | Fabaceae |
| Calla lily | Zantedeschia aethiopica | Araceae |
| Camelthorn | Alhagi pseudalhagi | Fabaceae |
| Canada thistle | Cirsium arvense | Asteraceae |
| Canary Island date palm | Phoenix canariensis | Arecaceae |
| Canary Island hypericum | Hypericum canariensis | Clusiaceae or Hypericaceae |
| Cape-ivy | Delairea odorata | Asteraceae |
| Capeweed | Arctotheca calendula | Asteraceae |
| Carnation spurge | Euphorbia terracina | Euphorbiaceae |
| Castorbean | Ricinus communis | Euphorbiaceae |
| Catalpa | Catalpa bignonioides | Bignoniaceae |
| Cattails | Typha spp. | Typhaceae |
| Chara | Chara spp. | Characeae |
| Cheatgrass | Bromus tectorum | Poaceae |
| Cherry plum | Prunus cerasifera | Rosaceae |
| Chicory | Cichorium intybus | Asteraceae |
| Chinese tallowtree | Sapium sebiferum | Euphorbiaceae |
| Clasping pepperweed | Lepidium perfoliatum | Brassicaceae |
| Coast fiddleneck | Amsinckia menziesii var. intermedia | Boraginaceae |
| Common caraway | Carum carvi | Apiaceae |
| Common catsear | Hypochaeris radicata | Asteraceae |
| Common cocklebur | Xanthium strumarium | Asteraceae |
| Common crupina | Crupina vulgaris | Asteraceae |
| Common elodea | Elodea canadensis | Hydrocharitaceae |
| Common lambsquarter | Chenopodium album | Chenopodiaceae |
| Common mallow | Malva neglecta | Malvaceae |
| Common mullein | Verbascum thapsus | Scrophulariaceae |
| Common pokeweed | Phytolacca americana | Phytolaccaceae |
| Common ragweed | Ambrosia artemisiifolia | Asteraceae |
| Common reed | Phragmites australis | Poaceae |
| Common rye | Secale cereale | Poaceae |
| Common St. Johnswort | Hypericum perforatum | Clusiaceae or Hypericaceae |
| Common sunflower | Helianthus annuus | Asteraceae |
| Common tansy | Tanacetum vulgare | Asteraceae |
| Common teasel | Dipsacus fullonum | Dipsacaceae |
| Common velvetgrass | Holcus lanatus | Poaceae |
| Coontail | Ceratophyllum demersum | Ceratophyllaceae |
| Cordgrasses | Spartinaspp. | Poaceae |
| Cotoneasters | Cotoneaster spp. | Rosaceae |
| Creeping bentgrass | Agrostis stolonifera | Poaceae |
| Creeping buttercup | Ranunculus repens | Ranunculaceae |
| Crimson fountaingrass | Pennisetum setaceum | Poaceae |
| Crocosmia | Crocosmia x crocosmiflora | Iridaceae |
| Croftonweed | Ageratina adenophora | Asteraceae |
| Crowndaisy | Chrysanthemum coronarium | Asteraceae |
| Curly dock | Rumex crispus | Polygonaceae |
| Curlyleaf pondweed | Potamogeton crispus | Potamogetonaceae |
| Cutleaf geranium | Geranium dissectum | Geraniaceae |
| Cutleaf teasel | Dipsacus laciniatus | Dipsacaceae |
| Dallisgrass | Paspalum dilatatum | Poaceae |
| Dalmatian toadflax | Linaria dalmatica | Scrophulariaceae |
| Damesrocket | Hesperis matronalis | Brassicaceae |
| Dandelion | Taraxacum officinale | Asteraceae |
| Deathcamas | Zigadenus spp. | Liliaceae |
| Diffuse knapweed | Centaurea diffusa | Asteraceae |
| Dog rose | Rosa canina | Rosaceae |
| Downy brome | Bromus tectorum | Poaceae |
| Duckmeats | Spirodela spp. | Lemnaceae |
| Duckweeds | Lemna spp. or Spirodela spp. | Lemnaceae |
| Dyer’s woad | Isatis tinctoria | Brassicaceae |
| English hawthorn | Crataegus monogyna | Rosaceae |
| English holly | Ilex aquifolium | Aquifoliaceae |
| English ivy | Hedera helix | Araliaceae |
| Eurasian watermilfoil | Myriophyllum spicatum | Haloragaceae |
| European beachgrass | Ammophila arenaria | Poaceae |
| Everlasting peavine | Lathyrus latifolius | Fabaceae |
| Fanwort | Cabomba caroliniana | Cabombaceae |
| Fennel | Foeniculum vulgare | Apiaceae |
| Field bindweed | Convolvulus arvensis | Convolvulaceae |
| Field pennycress | Thlaspi arvense | Brassicaceae |
| Fig | Ficus carica | Moraceae |
| Firethorn | Pyracantha spp. | Rosaceae |
| Fitch’s tarweed | Hemizonia fitchii | Asteraceae |
| Fivehook bassia | Bassia hyssopifolia | Chenopodiaceae |
| Flixweed | Descurainia sophia | Brassicaceae |
| Floating pennywort | Hydrocotyle ranunculoides | Apiaceae |
| Floatingleaf pondweed | Potamogeton natans | Potamogetonaceae |
| Flowering rush | Butomus umbellatus | Butomaceae |
| Foxglove | Digitalis purpurea | Scrophulariaceae |
| Foxtail barley | Hordeum jubatum | Poaceae |
| Foxtails | Setaria spp. | Poaceae |
| Fragrant waterlily | Nymphaea odorata | Nymphaeaceae |
| French broom | Genista monspessulana | Fabaceae |
| Fuller’s teasel | Dipsacus sativus | Dipsacaceae |
| Garden loosestrife | Lysimachia vulgaris | Primulaceae |
| Garlic mustard | Alliaria petiolata | Brassicaceae |
| Giant dodder | Cuscuta japonica | Cuscutaceae |
| Giant hogweed | Heracleum mantegazzianum | Apiaceae |
| Giant knotweed | Polygonum sachalinense | Polygonaceae |
| Giant reed | Arundo donax | Poaceae |
| Giant salvinia | Salvinia molesta | Salviniaceae |
| Glossy privet | Ligustrum lucidum | Oleaceae |
| Goatsrue | Galega officinalis | Fabaceae |
| Gorse | Ulex europaeus | Fabaceae |
| Greasewood | Sarcobatus vermiculatus | Chenopodiaceae |
| Hairy fleabane | Conyza bonariensis | Asteraceae |
| Hairy whitetop | Cardaria pubescens | Brassicaceae |
| Halogeton | Halogeton glomeratus | Chenopodiaceae |
| Hardinggrass | Phalaris aquatica | Poaceae |
| Hardstem bulrush | Scirpus acutus | Cyperaceae |
| Hardstem tule | Scirpus acutus | Cyperaceae |
| Hare barley | Hordeum murinum | Poaceae |
| Harmal rue | Peganum harmala | Zygophyllaceae |
| Hawkweeds | Hieracium spp. | Asteraceae |
| Hedgehog dogtailgrass | Cynosurus echinatus | Poaceae |
| Hedgeparsley | Torilis arvensis | Apiaceae |
| Henbit | Lamium amplexicaule | Lamiaceae |
| Herb-robert | Geranium robertianum | Geraniaceae |
| Himalaya blackberry | Rubus armeniacus | Rosaceae |
| Himalayan knotweed | Polygonum polystachyum | Polygonaceae |
| Hoary alyssum | Berteroa incana | Brassicaceae |
| Hoary cress | Cardaria draba | Brassicaceae |
| Horned pondweed | Zannichellia palustris | Zannichelliaceae |
| Horsetails | Equisetum spp. | Equisetaceae |
| Horseweed | Conyza canadensis | Asteraceae |
| Hottentot fig | Carpobrotus edulis | Aizoaceae |
| Houndstongue | Cynoglossum officinale | Boraginaceae |
| Hydrilla | Hydrilla verticillata | Hydrocharitaceae |
| Hyssop loosestrife | Lythrum hyssopifolium | Lythraceae |
| Iberian starthistle | Centaurea iberica | Asteraceae |
| Iceplant | Carpobrotus edulis | Aizoaceae |
| Illinois pondweed | Potamogeton illinoensis | Potamogetonaceae |
| Indigobush | Amorpha fruticosa | Fabaceae |
| Irish ivy | Hedera hibernica | Araliaceae |
| Italian ryegrass | Lolium multiflorum | Poaceae |
| Italian thistle | Carduus pycnocephalus | Asteraceae |
| Japanese brome | Bromus japonicus | Poaceae |
| Japanese dodder | Cuscuta japonica | Cuscutaceae |
| Japanese knotweed | Polygonum cuspidatum | Polygonaceae |
| Johnsongrass | Sorghum halepense | Poaceae |
| Jointed goatgrass | · Aegilops cylindrica · integrated management | Poaceae |
| Jubatagrass | · Cortaderia jubata · brochure · woody weed invaders | Poaceae |
| Kentucky bluegrass | Poa pratensis | Poaceae |
| Kikuyugrass | Pennisetum clandestinum | Poaceae |
| Klamathweed | Hypericum perforatum | Clusiaceae or Hypericaceae |
| Kochia | Bassia scoparia | Chenopodiaceae |
| Ladysthumb | Polygonum persicaria | Polygonaceae |
| Leafy pondweed | Potamogeton foliosus | Potamogetonaceae |
| Leafy spurge | · Euphorbia esula · biological control | Euphorbiaceae |
| Lens-podded whitetop | Cardaria chalepensis | Brassicaceae |
| Little robin | Geranium purpureum | Geraniaceae |
| London rocket | Sisymbrium irio | Brassicaceae |
| Lovegrasses | Eragrostis spp. | Poaceae |
| Lupines | Lupinus spp. | Fabaceae |
| Malta starthistle | Centaurea melitensis | Asteraceae |
| Meadow knapweed | Centaurea debeauxii | Asteraceae |
| Mediterranean barley | Hordeum marinum | Poaceae |
| Mediterranean sage | Salvia aethiopis | Lamiaceae |
| Mediterranean steppegrass | Stipa capensis | Poaceae |
| Mediterraneangrasses | Schismus spp. | Poaceae |
| Medusahead | · Taeniatherum caput-medusae · management guide · state of the weed handout · state of the weed presentation | Poaceae |
| Menzies fiddleneck | Amsinckia menziesii var. menziesii | Boraginaceae |
| Mexican fan palm | Washingtonia robusta | Arecaceae |
| Mexican whorled milkweed | Asclepias fascicularis | Asclepiadaceae |
| Montbretia | Crocosmiax crocosmiflora | Iridaceae |
| Mosquitoferns | Azolla spp. | Azollaceae |
| Moth mullein | Verbascum blattaria | Scrophulariaceae |
| Multiflora rose | Rosa multiflora | Rosaceae |
| Musk thistle | Carduus nutans | Asteraceae |
| Myoporum | Myoporum laetum | Myoporaceae |
| Naiads | Najas spp. | Hydrocharitaceae or Najadaceae |
| Netseed lambsquarter | Chenopodium berlandieri | Chenopodiaceae |
| Nitella | Nitella spp. | Characeae |
| North African wiregrass | Ventenata dubia | Poaceae |
| Oblong spurge | Euphorbia oblongata | Euphorbiaceae |
| Old-man’s-beard | Clematis vitalba | Ranunculaceae |
| Olive | Olea europaea | Oleaceae |
| Onionweed | Asphodelus fistulosus | Liliaceae |
| Orchardgrass | Dactylis glomerata | Poaceae |
| Oxeye daisy | Leucanthemum vulgare | Asteraceae |
| Oxygenweed | Lagarosiphon major | Hydrocharitaceae |
| Pacific bentgrass | Agrostis avenacea | Poaceae |
| Pacific poison-oak | · Toxicodendron diversilobum · Pest Notes | Anacardiaceae |
| Pale smartweed | Polygonum lapathifolium | Polygonaceae |
| Pampasgrass | · Cortaderia selloana · brochure · invasive plants · woody weed invaders | Poaceae |
| Parrotfeather | Myriophyllum aquaticum | Haloragaceae |
| Parry’s tarweed | Hemizonia parryi | Asteraceae |
| Pennyroyal | Mentha pulegium | Lamiaceae |
| Peppertrees | Schinus spp. | Anacardiaceae |
| Perennial pepperweed | Lepidium latifolium · biology, ecology and control · brochure · Pest Notes | Brassicaceae |
| Perennial ryegrass | Lolium perenne | Poaceae |
| Pigweeds | Amaranthus spp. | Amaranthaceae |
| Plumeless thistle | Carduus acanthoides | Asteraceae |
| Poison-hemlock | Conium maculatum | Apiaceae |
| Povertyweed | Iva axillaris | Asteraceae |
| Prickly lettuce | Lactuca serriola | Asteraceae |
| Prostrate knotweed | Polygonum arenastrum | Polygonaceae |
| Puncturevine | Tribulus terrestris | Zygophyllaceae |
| Purple loosestrife | Lythrum salicaria | Lythraceae |
| Purple starthistle | Centaurea calcitrapa | Asteraceae |
| Pyracantha | Pyracantha spp. | Rosaceae |
| Quackgrass | Elytrigia repens | Poaceae |
| Rabbitbrush | Chrysothamnus nauseosus | Asteraceae |
| Rabbitfoot polypogon | Polypogon monspeliensis | Poaceae |
| Radish | Raphanus sativus | Brassicaceae |
| Rattail fescue | Vulpia myuros | Poaceae |
| Ravennagrass | Tripidium ravennae | Poaceae |
| Red brome | Bromus madritensis spp. rubens | Poaceae |
| Red sesbania | Sesbania punicea | Fabaceae |
| Red sorrel | Rumex acetosella | Polygonaceae |
| Redstem filaree | Erodium cicutarium | Geraniaceae |
| Reed canarygrass | Phalaris arundinacea | Poaceae |
| Ripgut brome | Bromus diandrus | Poaceae |
| Rose clover | Trifolium hirtum | Fabaceae |
| Rush skeletonweed | Chondrilla juncea | Asteraceae |
| Russian knapweed | Acroptilon repens | Asteraceae |
| Russian-olive | Elaeagnus angustifolia | Elaeagnaceae |
| Russian-thistle | · Salsola tragus · Pest Notes | Chenopodiaceae |
| Sagebrush | Artemisia tridentata | Asteraceae |
| Sago pondweed | Stuckenia pectinata | Potamogetonaceae |
| Saharan mustard | Brassica tournefortii | Brassicaceae |
| Sakhalin knotweed | Polygonum sachalinense | Polygonaceae |
| Saltcedar | · Tamarix spp. · brochure · invasive plants | Tamaricaceae |
| Sandburs | Cenchrus spp. | Poaceae |
| Scotch broom | Cytisus scoparius | Fabaceae |
| Scotch thistle | Onopordum acanthium | Asteraceae |
| Scouringrushes | Equisetum spp. | Equisetaceae |
| Sea rocket | Cakile maritima | Brassicaceae |
| Seashore vervain | Verbena litoralis | Verbenaceae |
| Sheep sorrel | Rumex acetosella | Polygonaceae |
| Shepherd’s-purse | Capsella bursa-pastoris | Brassicaceae |
| Shortpod mustard | Hirschfeldia incana | Brassicaceae |
| Showy milkweed | Asclepias speciosa | Asclepiadaceae |
| Siberian elm | Ulmus pumila | Ulmaceae |
| Silverleaf nightshade | Solanum elaeagnifolium | Solanaceae |
| Slender false-brome | Brachypodium sylvaticum | Poaceae |
| Slender oat | Avena barbata | Poaceae |
| Slenderflower thistle | Carduus tenuiflorus | Asteraceae |
| Smilograss | Piptatherum miliaceum | Poaceae |
| Smooth brome | Bromus inermis | Poaceae |
| Smooth catsear | Hypochaeris glabra | Asteraceae |
| Smooth frogbit | Limnobium laevigatum | Hydrocharitaceae |
| Smutgrass | · Sporobolus indicus · managing smutgrass in irrigated pastures | Poaceae |
| Soft brome | Bromus hordeaceus | Poaceae |
| Soft chess | Bromus hordeaceus | Poaceae |
| Soft rush | Juncus effusus | Juncaceae |
| South American spongeplant | Limnobium laevigatum | Hydrocharitaceae |
| Southern brassbuttons | Cotula australis | Asteraceae |
| Spanish broom | Spartium junceum | Fabaceae |
| Spikeweed | Hemizonia pungens | Asteraceae |
| Spiny cocklebur | Xanthium spinosum | Asteraceae |
| Spiny emex | Emex spinosa | Polygonaceae |
| Spotted knapweed | Centaurea stoebe | Asteraceae |
| Spreading rush | Juncus patens | Juncaceae |
| Squarrose knapweed | Centaurea virgata spp. squarrosa | Asteraceae |
| Stinging nettle | Urtica dioica | Urticaceae |
| Stinkgrasses | Eragrostis spp. | Poaceae |
| Stinkwort | Dittrichia graveolens | Asteraceae |
| Sulfur cinquefoil | Potentilla recta | Rosaceae |
| Swainsonpea | Sphaerophysa salsula | Fabaceae |
| Sweet alyssum | Lobularia maritima | Brassicaceae |
| Sweet resinbush | Euryops multifidus | Asteraceae |
| Sweet vernalgrass | Anthoxanthum odoratum | Poaceae |
| Sweetbriar rose | Rosa eglanteria | Rosaceae |
| Syrian beancaper | Zygophyllum fabago | Zygophyllaceae |
| Tall buttercup | Ranunculus acris | Ranunculaceae |
| Tall fescue | Festuca arundinacea | Poaceae |
| Tall vervain | Verbena bonariensis | Verbenaceae |
| Tall whitetop | Lepidium latifolium | Brassicaceae |
| Tamarisk | · Tamarix spp. · brochure · invasive plants | Tamaricaceae |
| Tansy ragwort | Senecio jacobaea | Asteraceae |
| Tansymustard | Descurainia sophia | Brassicaceae |
| Tasmanian blue gum | Eucalyptus globulus | Myrtaceae |
| Tocalote | Centaurea melitensis | Asteraceae |
| Tree tobacco | Nicotiana glauca | Solanaceae |
| Tree-of-heaven | Ailanthus altissima | Simaroubaceae |
| Tumble mustard | Sisymbrium altissimum | Brassicaceae |
| Tumbleweed | Salsola tragus | Chenopodiaceae |
| Veldtgrasses | Ehrharta spp. | Poaceae |
| Victorian box | Pittosporum undulatum | Pittosporaceae |
| Vinegarweed | Trichostema lanceolatum | Lamiaceae |
| Vipers bugloss | Echium plantagineum | Boraginaceae |
| Vipers bugloss | Echium vulgare | Boraginaceae |
| Virgate tarweed | Holocarpha virgata | Asteraceae |
| Wand loosestrife | Lythrum virgatum | Lythraceae |
| Water chestnut | Trapa natans | Trapaceae |
| Water hyacinth | Eichhornia crassipes | Pontederiaceae |
| Water speedwell | Veronica anagallis-aquatica | Scrophulariaceae |
| Watermeals | Wolffia spp. | Lemnaceae |
| Waterprimroses | Ludwigia spp. | Onagraceae |
| Watershield | Brasenia schreberi | Cabombaceae |
| Watsonia | Watsonia meriana | Iridaceae |
| Waxy mannagrass | Glyceria declinata | Poaceae |
| White bryony | Bryonia alba | Cucurbitaceae |
| White horehound | Marrubium vulgare | Lamiaceae |
| White sweetclover | Melilotus albus | Fabaceae |
| Whitetop | Cardaria draba | Brassicaceae |
| Widgeongrass | Ruppia maritima | Potamogetonaceae or Ruppiaceae |
| Wild buckwheat | Polygonum convolvulus | Polygonaceae |
| Wild carrot | Daucus carota | Apiaceae |
| Wild chervil | Anthriscus sylvestris | Apiaceae |
| Wild four-o’clock | Mirabilis nyctaginea | Nyctaginaceae |
| Wild mustard | Sinapis arvensis | Brassicaceae |
| Wild oat | Avena fatua | Poaceae |
| Wild radish | Raphanus raphanistrum | Brassicaceae |
| Willows | Salix spp. | Salicaceae |
| Woolly distaff thistle | Carthamus lanatus | Asteraceae |
| Yellow floatingheart | Nymphoides peltata | Nymphaeaceae |
| Yellow pondlily | Nuphar lutea | Nymphaeaceae |
| Yellow starthistle | · Centaurea solstitialis · management guide · Pest Notes | Asteraceae |
| Yellow toadflax | Linaria vulgaris | Scrophulariaceae |
| Yellowflag iris | Iris pseudacorus | Iridaceae |
| Yellowtuft | Alyssum alyssoides | Brassicaceae |