Invasive Species | Los Angeles Public Library

The City of Los Angeles is particularly interested in knowing where certain biodiversity invasive species are found.

The City of Los Angeles is interested in knowing where important invasive plants are found. Invasive plants did not evolve within Los Angeles, having been introduced by human activity from elsewhere in the world, and they harm the native biodiversity that sustains Angelenos. Understanding where these plants are found is crucial to track the spread of invasives and reduce the negative effect they have on Los Angeles' ecosystems. The invasive plant species cards below highlight some key invasives that are particularly harmful and easily recognizable. They can be found potentially anywhere, from highly urban areas to large natural open space, so your observations of invasive plants will be essential for the City and local researchers.

The invasive species cards below indicate where you are likely to spot certain species. You can also learn more with LA Sanitation and Environment's comprehensive guide, Biodiversity Indicator Species Booklet, which can found on their website. Your observations of invasive species will be extremely important to City staff and local scientists to reduce the negative impact they have on our local ecosystems.

How many invasive species can you observe this October?

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Scott Loarie Giant Reed Arundo donax Giant reeds are tall, bamboo-like grass that invade areas near rivers, growing quickly and removing native plants. iNaturalist	Irene Saltcedar Tamarix ramosissima Saltcedar invades riverbanks and desert areas, increasing soil salinity and harming native plants. iNaturalist	Quentin Groom Castor Bean Ricinus communis Castor beans have large, palm-like leaves and spiky, toxic seeds that can harm ecosystems. iNaturalist
Kallum McDonald Yellow Starthistle Centaurea solstitialis Yellow starthistle has spiny, yellow flowers and invades grasslands and open areas, reducing habitat quality. iNaturalist	Jesse Rorabaugh Black Mustard Brassica nigra Black mustard is tall, yellow-flowered, rapidly takes over disturbed areas, and is particularly problematic for encouraging wildfire. iNaturalist	Branislav Tej Tree-of-Heaven Ailanthus altissima Tree-of-heaven has compound leaves, damages nearby infrastructure with its strong roots, and releases a chemical into the soil that is toxic to native plants. iNaturalist
Ana Nuño Crimson Fountain Grass Pennisetum setaceum Crimson fountain grass has long, fluffy, and bristly flower spikes, often used in landscaping but can invade all over Los Angeles. iNaturalist	Peter F French Broom Genista monspessulana The french broom is a shrub with bright yellow flowers that can replace native plants with dense areas of just this plant. iNaturalist	Ana Nuño Tree Tobacco Nicotiana glauca Tree tobacco has bluish-green leaves and tubular yellow flowers and is found throughout parks and along roads, replacing native plants. iNaturalist
bdhimes Pin-Tailed Whydah Vidua macroura This bird is a parasite, laying its eggs in the nests of native bird species. iNaturalist	Piermario Maculan Red Swamp Crayfish Procambarus clarkii Found in freshwater habitats, this crayfish disrupts food webs by eating native insects. iNaturalist	Etienne Falquet Red-Eared Slider Trachemys scripta elegans These turtles are often kept as pets, but they can seriously damage ecosystems by outcompeting native reptiles and introducing parasites. iNaturalist
ryman56 American Bullfrog Lithobates catesbeianus These frogs have huge appetites that will eat and outcompete Los Angeles' native species. It can also introduce fungus that threatens native amphibians. iNaturalist	Henggang Cui Green Anole Anolis carolinensis This invasive lizard has been recently spotted in Los Angeles and threatens native insects. iNaturalist

The City of Los Angeles is particularly interested in knowing where certain biodiversity invasive species are found.

How many invasive species can you observe this October?

Giant Reed

Saltcedar

Castor Bean

Yellow Starthistle

Black Mustard

Tree-of-Heaven

Crimson Fountain Grass

French Broom

Tree Tobacco

Pin-Tailed Whydah

Red Swamp Crayfish

Red-Eared Slider

American Bullfrog

Green Anole