Invasive Plants ( Present On Panorama Vista Preserve )

In its past history, some parts of the Preserve were farmland, one portion was a horse ranch, another a feedlot, and (still existing) much was oilfield. Alien or non-native plants which were introduced either accidentally (e.g. in cattle feed) or purposefully (e.g. as pasture) soon caught hold. Some plants, such as the very invasive Sahara mustard, tumbleweed, and foxtail grasses, thrive especially well on disturbed ground; native plants are overwhelmed and out-competed.

Asteraceae (Compositae) (Sunflower Family)

Centaurea Star Thistle

Scientific Name: Melitensis
Common Name: Maltese Star Thistle A.K.A. Tocalote
(Southern Europe)

Chamomilla

Scientific Name: Suaveolens (Matricaria Matricarioides)
Common Name: Pineapple Weed, Rayless Chamomile
(from Northwest N. America, Northeast Asia)

Gnaphalium Cudweed, Everlasting

Scientific Name: Stramineum (G. Chilense)
Common Name: Cotton Batting Plant
(Chile)

Hypochaeris (Hypochoeris)

Scientific Name: Glabra
Common Name: Smooth Cat’s Ear
(Europe)

Senecio Groundsel, Ragwort, Butterweed

Scientific Name: Vulgaris
Common Name: Common Groundsel
(Eurasia)

Sonchus Sow-Thistle

Scientific Name: Asper ssp. Asper
Common Name: Prickly/Spiny/Common Sow Thistle

Oleraceus

Scientific Name: Oleraceus
Common Name: Common Sow Thistle

Brassicaceae (Cruciferae) (Mustard Family)

Brassica mustard

Scientific Name: Tournefortii
Common Name: Sahara Mustard
(Mediterranean)

Capsella

Scientific Name: Bursa-Pastoris
Common Name: Shepherd’s Purse
(Eurasia; Invasive)

Hirschfeldia

Scientific Name: Incana (Brassica Geniculata)
Common Name: Shortpod/Summer/Mediterranean Mustard
(Mediterranean; moderately invasive)

Sisymbrium

Scientific Name: Irio
Common Name: London Rocket
(Europe)

Comment: Highly invasive

Caryophyllaceae (Pink Family)

Stellaria

Scientific Name: Media
Common Name: Common Chickweed
(European)

Chenopodiaceae (Goosefoot Family)

Semibaccata

Scientific Name: Semibaccata
Common Name: Australian Saltbush
( Australia)

Salsola

Scientific Name: Tragus, Kali
Common Name: Tumbleweed, Russian Thistle
(Eurasia)

Comment: Highly invasive. One plant may set 1 million seeds which are easily dispersed when wind uproots the dried bush and blows it around.

Fabaceae (Leguminosae) (Pea Family)

Medicago

Scientific Name: Polymorpha
Common Name: Bur-Clover
(From Asia, Africa, or Europe))

Melilotus Sweetclover/Sourclover

Scientific Name: Indica (M. Indicus)
Common Name: Yellow Sweetclover/Bitter Clover
(Europe)

Parkinsonia

Scientific Name: Aculeata
Common Name: Mexican Palo Verde; Jerusalem Thorn
(Invasive)

Geraniaceae (Geranium Family)

Erodium Storksbill, Filaree

Scientific Name: Cicutarium
Common Name: Red Stemmed Filaree
(Mediterranean)

Comment: Moderately invasive.

Geraniaceae (Geranium Family)

Marrubium

Scientific Name: Vulgare
Common Name: White Horehound
(Europe)

Comment: Traditionally used in folk medicine but has become a noxious weed throughout the world.

Malvaceae (Mallow Family)

Malva

Scientific Name: Parviflora
Common Name: Cheeseweed
(Europe)

Poaceae (Grass Family)

Bromus Brome

Scientific Name: Diandrus (B. Rigidus)
Common Name: Ripgut Grass/Brome

Bromus Brome

Scientific Name: Madritensis ssp. Rubens (B. R.)
Common Name: Red/Foxtail Chess/Brome
(Europe)

Cortaderia

Scientific Name: Sp. Selloana or Jubata
Common Name: Pampas Grass
(South America)

Comment: Highly invasive.

Pontederiaceae (Pickerel-weed Famiy)

Eichhornia

Scientific Name: Crassipes
Common Name:Water Hyacinth
(Brazil; highly invasive)

Comment: Highly invasive

Simaroubaceae (Quassia/simarouba Family)

Ailanthus

Scientific Name: Altissima
Common Name: Tree of Heaven
(Asia)

Comment: Twenty to sixty feet high; aggressive, difficult to eradicate. Said to have been introduced by Chinese gold miners in the 1850s.

Solanaceae (Nightshade Family)

Glauca

Scientific Name: Glauca
Common Name: Tree Tobacco
(Southern Bolivia, Northern Argentina)

Comment: Moderately invasive

Tamaricaceae (Tamarisk Family)

Tamarix tamarisk

Scientific Name: Aphylla
Common Name: Athel Tree, Salt-Cedar
(Africa/Asia)

Comment: Not as aggressive as other Tamarisk species; was probably planted on the Preserve as a windbreak in its oilfield period.

Urticaceae (Nettle Family)

Uren

Scientific Name: Uren
Common Name: Dwarf Nettle
(Europe)

California Invasive Plant Council
Encycloweedia
Noxious Weed Photographic Gallery
UC Statewide Integrated Pest