Return to Invasive Species

Most Problematic ORR Invasive Plant Species

The table below lists the most problematic invasive plant species on the Oak Ridge Reservation (ORR). Click on the common name to see a picture of the plant taken on the ORR.1 The links in the right hand column lead to web sites that provide information about and descriptions of each species.


SCIENTIFIC NAME COMMON NAME TNEPC THREAT RANK2 LINKS
Ailanthus altissima Tree-of-heaven Severe Invasive.org, USDA/NISIC
Albizia julibrissin Mimosa Severe Invasive.org, PCA/alien plants
Celastrus orbiculatus Oriental bittersweet Severe Invasive.org, PCA/alien plants
Cirsium vulgare Bull thistle Significant Invasive.org, USDA/plants
Coronilla varia Crown vetch Alert Invasive.org, USDA/plants
Dioscorea oppositifolia Chinese yam, air potato Severe Invasive.org, USDA/NISIC
Elaeagnus pungens Thorny olive Severe Invasive.org, USDA/plants
Elaeagnus umbellata Autumn olive Significant Invasive.org, USDA/NISIC
Euonymus alata Winged burning bush Lesser Invasive.org, USDA/FS
Euonymus fortunei Winter creeper Severe Invasive.org, PCA/alien plants
Hedera helix English ivy Severe Invasive.org, PCA/alien plants
Lespedeza bicolor Shrubby lespedeza Significant Invasive.org, USDA/FS
Lespedeza cuneata Chinese lespedeza Severe Invasive.org, PCA/alien plants
Ligustrum sinense Chinese privet Severe Invasive.org, USDA/plants
Lonicera japonica Japanese honeysuckle Significant Invasive.org, USDA/NISIC
Lonicera maackii Bush honeysuckle Severe Invasive.org, PCA/alien plants
Lythrum salicaria Purple loosestrife Severe Invasive.org, PCA/alien plants
Mahonia bealei Oregon grape, Beale's barberry Alert Invasive.org, USDA/plants
Microstegium vimineum Japanese stiltgrass Severe Invasive.org, PCA/alien plants
Miscanthus sinensis Zebra grass, Chinese silvergrass Significant Invasive.org, USDA/plants
Paulownia tomentosa Empress tree, princess tree Severe Invasive.org, PCA/alien plants
Populus alba White poplar Significant Invasive.org, PCA/alien plants
Pueraria montana Kudzu Severe Invasive.org, USDA/NISIC
Rosa multiflora Multiflora rose Severe Invasive.org, USDA/NISIC
Sorghum halepense Johnsongrass Severe Invasive.org, USDA/NISIC
Vinca minor Common periwinkle Significant Invasive.org, USDA/plants

1 All photos by Harry Quarles or Mike Ryon unless otherwise indicated.

2 Severe Threat: Exotic plant species that possess characteristics of invasive species and spread easily into native plant communities and displace native vegetation.
Significant Threat: Exotic plant species that possess characteristics of invasive species but are not presently considered to spread as easily into native plant communities as those species listed as severe threat.
Lesser Threat: Exotic plant species that spread in or near disturbed areas and are not presently considered a threat to native plant communities.
Alert: Exotic plant species that possess invasive characteristics and are known to be invasive in similar habitats as those found in Tennessee.
Threat levels from Tennessee Exotic Pest Plant Council's Invasive Exotic Pest Plants in Tennessee - 2009

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Last Updated: October 12, 2010
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