Los Angeles Regional Invasive
Ornamental Plant Guide


DOWNLOAD GUIDE
(Adobe Acrobat Reader is required)

This Guide is produced and distributed by the Los Angeles and San Gabriel Rivers Watershed Council for the primary purpose of educating landscape professionals and the general-public regarding the cultivation, selection, use and management of invasive plants in our local landscape. It is understood that this Guide is of special importance in the “wildland urban interface” areas where natural vegetation and man-made landscapes come into close contact. It is not the intent of the authors to add unnecessary constraints or to discourage the planting of a broad selection of native and non-native species where it is unlikely that their presence would have any effect upon local plant and animal biodiverity. This Guide is provided solely as a reference document and is not intended for regulatory purposes.


How to Use the Guide
This guide is intended to educate professionals and the general public on non-native invasive plants that can adversely impact habitats around the Los Angeles region. The Guide will help the professional and the general public makes decisions on when and where not to use invasive plants.  The Guide provides a list of plants in three categories:

  1. Most Invasive - These plants have been documented as aggressive invaders that may establish even from distant plantings to displace natives and disrupt habitats. Using these plants in any landscape is strongly discouraged.

  2. Moderately Invasive - These plants have been documented as moderately invasive and having the potential to spread when planted next to open space or natural areas.  Before selecting or installing plants from this category, use the Guide to investigate whether the plant may be potentially invasive in a particular location and site.

  3. Potentially Invasive – These plants have been documented to establish in natural areas but their spread has been extremely limited. These plants should be used with caution and monitored for invasive potential.
This guide is a living document and requires feedback to ensure the accuracy of the information. Please contact us with information on new invasive plants or suggested amendments concerning plant species within the guide.


Thank You
 to the following individuals who have contributed information for this guide:

Amy Baquial, Christy Brigham (phD), Charlie Hohn, Arthur Gibson (phD), Marney Jensen, Melanie Johnson-Rocks, Mike Kelly, Jo Kitz, John Knapp, Carolyn Martus, Scott Molentin, Bill Neill, Michael O’Brien, Larry Sheehan, Drew Ready, David Reed, Jon Rebman (phD), Scott Sandel, Andrew Sanders, Robin Shifflet, Jan Scow, and Andrea Vona.