Noxious and Invasive Weeds in or near the Battle Creek Watershed

Exotic or non-native plants pose a threat to the entire Battle Creek ecosystem, including fish and wildlife populations, and represent a danger to the continued use of ranchlands for grazing. The invasion of exotic weeds, altering the biodiversity of plants for forage could forever alter the use of the land.

Yellow Starthistle Management Guide

Getting a Handle on Broom

Browse below for information on specific plants AND check out links to online resources.
February 1, 2005 - Read about Chico's plans to eradicate Arundo donax.

Watersheds - Bay-Delta, Invasive Species:
Exotic grass attacks marshes, mudflats
Invasive plant eliminates natives, threatening wildlife

Chronicle photo by Kurt Rogers

On 9/9/04, the Conservancy was advised that an invasive, highly poisonous non-native plant sesbania punicea is threatening our watersheds! called Scarlet Wisteria (sesbania punicea) is infesting nearby waterways. It has the potential to choke rivers and displace native plants and wildlife.

For more information, please view the Sesbania fact sheet.

Noxious Weeds & Exotic Plants found in or near the Battle Creek Watershed
Move your cursor over the SCIENTIFIC NAME to view image
(NOTE: Internet Explorer recommended - view image function will not work with Opera)
Click on the COMMON NAME for more information.

Scientific Name:
Ailanthus altissima Common Name:
Ailanthus/Tree-of-Heaven

Arundo donax Giant Reed/Arundo

Bassia hyssopifolia Five-Horn Smother-Weed

Cardaria draba Hoary cress

Carduus pycnocephalus Italian plumeless thistle

Centaurea maculosa Spotted knapweed

Centaurea solstitialis Yellow starthistle

Cortaderia selloana Pampas Grass

Cytisus scoparius Scotch broom

Hydrilla verticillata Water Thyme Hydrilla

Hypericum perforatum St. John's wort/Klamathweed

Lepidium latifolium Perennial pepperweed/Tall whitetop

Lythrum salicaria Purple loosestrife

Myriophyllum aquaticum Parrot’s feather, Brazilian milfoil

Rubus discolor Himalayan Blackberry

Sapium sebiferum, Triadica sebifera Chinese tallow tree

Senecio jacobaea Tansy ragwort, Stinking Willie

Sesbania punicea Scarlet wisteria tree, Rattle box

Spartium junceum Spanish broom

Taeniatherum caput-medusae Medusa-head

Tamarix sp. Tamarisk/Salt cedar

Ulex europaeus Gorse

Verbena bonariensis,
V. litoralis Tall vervain

The links below provide more information about noxious and invasive weeds and management methods:

	California Invasive Plant Council - The California Invasive Plant Council (Cal-IPC), until recently Cal-EPPC, works to protect California wildlands from invasive plants through research, restoration, and education.
	California Native Plant Society This website includes the CNPS Inventory of Rare and Endangered Plants, the CNPS Manual of California Vegetation, and information about all the programs and projects CNPS undertakes. It's also a great place to learn about our native flora and to find out how to get involved in its preservation.
	California Society for Ecological Restoration A non-profit, membership based organization dedicated to the purpose of bringing about the recovery of damaged California ecosystems.
	Center for Invasive Plant Management - The hub for management information in the western U.S. Includes plant biology and management information; education information; and publications. CIPM also provides grants to weed projects in western states. Grant information is available at this site.
	Common Poisonous Plants in Northern California
	Encycloweedia - Notes on Identification, Biology, and Management of Plants Defined as Noxious Weeds by California Law
	Invaders Database System - The INVADERS Database is a comprehensive database of exotic plant names and weed distribution records for five states in the northwestern United States.
	Invasivespecies.gov - It is the gateway to Federal efforts concerning invasive species. On this site you can learn about the impacts of invasive species and the Federal government's response, as well as read select species profiles and find links to agencies and organizations dealing with invasive species issues.
	NAS Alert System - U.S.D.A Nonindigenous Aquatic Species this site has been established as a central repository for accurate and spatially referenced biogeographic accounts of nonindigenous aquatic species. Provided are scientific reports, online/realtime queries, spatial data sets, regional contact lists, and general information. The data is made available for use by biologists, interagency groups, and the general public. The geographical coverage is the United States.
	The Nature Conservancy's Invasive Species Initiative and their Weed Control Methods Handbook.
	Western Shasta Resource Conservation District's Quick Weed Guide

Battle Creek
Watershed Conservancy
P.O. Box 606, Manton, CA 96059

Email