Invasive plants are detrimental to our mountain ecosystems. Invasive plants displace native plants, kill other plants and cost humans money when they choke up waterways, roadsides and farmland.
A very informative website to help you identify problem plants in your landscapes is the Invasive Plants of NC website.
Invasive Plants Found in WNC
TREES
Ailanthus altissima (Tree-of-Heaven)
Albizia julibrissin (Mimosa)
Paulownia tomentosa (Princess Tree)
Pyrus calleryana (Bradford Pear)
Triadica sebifera (Chinese Tallow Tree)
SHRUBS
Berberis (Mahonia) bealei ) (Leatherleaf Mahonia)
Berberis thunbergii (Japanese Barberry)
Buddleja davidii (Butterfly Bush)
Elaeagnus angustifolia (Russian Olive)
Elaeagnus pungens (Thorny Olive)
Elaeagnus umbellata (Autumn Olive)
Euonymus alata (Burning Bush)
Ligustrum sinense (Chinese Privet)
Lonicera fragrantissima (Fragrant Honeysuckle)
Lonicera maackii (Bush Honeysuckle)
Poncirus trifoliata (Trifoliate Orange)
Rosa multiflora (Multiflora Rose)
Spiraea japonica var. fortunei (Japanese Spiraea)
Tamarix ramosissima (Salt Cedar)
HERBACEOUS PLANTS
Alliaria petiolata (Garlic Mustard)
Arthraxon hispidus (Small Carpetgrass)
Arundo donax (Giant Reed)
Cyperus entrerianus (Deep-rooted Sedge)
Ficaria verna (Fig Buttercup)
Glechoma hederacea (Ground Ivy)
Heracleum mantegazzianum (Giant Hogweed)
Imperata cylindrica (Cogongrass)
Iris pseudacorus (Yellowflag Iris)
Lespedeza bicolor (Bicolor/Shrub Lespedeza)
Lespedeza cuneata (Chinese Lespedeza)
Lygodium microphyllum (Old World Climbing Fern)
Lythrum salicaria (Purple Loosestrife)
Microstegium vimineum (Japanese Stilt Grass)
Miscanthus sinensis (Chinese Silvergrass)
Oplismenus hirtellus ssp. undulatifolius (Wavyleaf Basketgrass)
Perilla frutescens (Beefsteak Plant)
Phalaris arundinacea (Reed Canarygrass)
Phyllostachys aurea (Golden Bamboo)
Reynoutria japonica (Japanese Knotweed)
Solanum viarum (Tropical Soda Apple)
Sorghum halepense (Johnson Grass)
Stellaria media (Common Chickweed)
Vines
Akebia quinata (Chocolate Vine)
Ampelopsis brevipedunculata (Porcelain Berry)
Cayratia japonica (Bushkiller)
Celastrus orbiculatus (Oriental Bittersweet)
Clematis terniflora (Sweet Autumn Virgin's Bower)
Dioscorea bulbifera (Air Potato)
Euonymus fortunei var. radicans (Winter Creeper)
Hedera helix (English Ivy)
Lonicera japonica (Japanese Honeysuckle)
Persicaria perfoliata (Mile-A-Minute Vine)
Pueraria montana (Kudzu)
Tribulus terrestris (Puncturevine)
Wisteria floribunda (Japanese Wisteria)
Wisteria sinensis (Chinese Wisteria)
Aquatic plants
Hydrilla verticillata (Hydrilla)
Nymphoides cristata (Crested Floating Heart)
