EPPO Global Database

EPPO Reporting Service no. 01 - 2008 Num. article: 2008/017

Invasive plants of Asian origin established in the USA


The two volumes of “Invasive plants of Asian origin established in the United States and their natural enemies” prepared by USDA provide useful information on plants of Asian origin which have been introduced into the USA and are now established. For each species, the family, habitats within the native range, broad climatic range, plant uses and natural enemies are indicated. For the EPPO region, these publications also provide useful information on plant species which are already invasive in the Euro-Mediterranean region or which may present a threat in the future. Of particular interest for climatic prediction are the distribution maps of these species in China (area of origin) and in the USA (invaded area). As the use of the species is indicated (e.g. ornamental, forage, wood, medicinal), this also suggests possible pathways of introduction into/within the EPPO region.
The EPPO Secretariat has summarized this information in the following tables:
  • Species which are also indigenous within the EPPO region,
  • Species which are already included in the EPPO List of Invasive Alien Plants and the EPPO Alert List
  • Species which may present a risk if introduced as ornamentals from China,
  • Species which may present a risk if introduced for other purposes (e.g. wood, forage) from China.
Each species has been checked against the Global Compendium of Weeds (GCW) in order to indicate its invasive behaviour elsewhere in the world, as well as in Flora Europaea, Invasive Plant Species of the World and EPPO databases to determine its occurrence and invasiveness within the EPPO region. This later information remains only indicative, and “/” indicates that no further information could be found.

Species of Asian origin which are also indigenous in the EPPO region:
Species
Family
Habitat in China
Climatic area
Uses, introduction
GCW
EPPO region
Agrostis tenuis (= A. capillaris)
Poaceae
Wetlands
Temperate
Ornamental, erosion control, fodder
W, AW, EW
Indigenous
Artemisia vulgaris
Asteraceae
Pastures, forest edges, wastelands, roadsides
Temperate, subtropical
Medicinal, forage
W, NW, AW, EW
Indigenous
Carduus nutans
Asteraceae
Valleys, croplands, grasslands
Tropical to temperate
;
W, NW, AW, EW
Indigenous
Cirsium arvense
Asteraceae
Ditches, lakesides, cropfields, wastelands
Tropical, temperate
Weed
W, NW, AW, EW
Indigenous
Convolvulus arvensis
Convolvulaceae
Disturbed areas, roadsides, grassy slopes
Temperate, subtropical
Weed
W, NW, AW, EW
Indigenous
Elytrigia repens
Poaceae
Plains, oases, hillsides, roadsides, field margins
Cold temperate
Forage
W, NW, AW, EW
Indigenous
Euphorbia esula
Euphorbiaceae
Roadsides, hillsides, dunes, grasslands, wastelands
Temperate, tropical
;
W, NW, AW, EW
Indigenous in parts of the EPPO region
Gypsophila paniculata
Caryophyllaceae
Grasslands, rocky slopes, fixed dunes, floodplains, cropfields
Temperate
Ornamental
W, NW, AW, EW
Indigenous in AT BG CZ HU SE PL RO RU, naturalized in GR
Lepidium latifolium
Brassicaceae
Field margins and salt marshes, roadsides, slopes
Temperate
Medicinal, food
W, SW, NW, AW, EW
Indigenous
Lotus corniculatus
Fabaceae
Grasslands, cropfields, riverbanks
Medit.
Forage
W, SW, NW, AW, EW
Indigenous
Lythrum salicaria
Lythraceae
Along riverbanks, lakes, ditches, moist grasslands
Temperate, subtropical
Ornamental
W, SW, NW, AW, EW
Indigenous
Phalaris arundinacea
Poaceae
Forests and moist grasslands
Temperate
Forage, papermaking, erosion control, ornamental
W, NW, AW, EW
Indigenous
Phleum pratense
Poaceae
Broadleaf forests, forest margins, valley grasslands and prairies
Cold temperate
Forage, erosion control
W, SW, NW, AW, EW
Indigenous
Phragmites australis
Poaceae
Edge of rivers, lakes, swamps, moist areas and wetlands
Tropical, subtropical, temperate
Forage, papermaking, erosion control
W, NW, AW, EW
Indigenous
Populus alba
Salicaceae
Along rivers
Tropical, subtropical, temperate
Wood, ornamental
W, SW, NW, AW, EW
Indigenous, except in N-Eur.
Potamogeton crispus
Potamogetona-ceae
Lakes, streams, ponds, reservoirs, paddy fields, freshwater marshes
Tropical, subtropical, temperate
Aquatic weed
W, SW, NW, AW, EW
Indigenous
Rhamnus catharticus
Rhamnaceae
Valleys, hillside thickets
Temperate
Medicinal
W, SW, NW, AW, EW
Indigenous
Rhamnus frangula (= Frangula alnus)
Rhamnaceae
Forest margins, riverbanks
Temperate
Medicinal
W, NW, AW, EW
Indigenous
Rumex acetosella
Polygonaceae
Forest margins, gravels, roadsides
Temperate
Forage
W, NW, AW, EW
Indigenous
Rumex crispus
Polygonaceae
Riversides, wetlands, roadsides
Temperate
Weed
W, NW, AW, EW
Indigenous
Stellaria media
Caryophyllaceae
Moist croplands, roadsides, grasslands near streams
Temperate
Weed
W, NW, AW, EW
Indigenous
Tamarix chinensis
Tamaricaceae
Alluvial plains, seashores, floodplains, moist and saline areas
Arid, semi-arid
Erosion control, ornamental
W, NW, EW
Indigenous in E-Eur.
Tribulus terrestris
Zygophyllaceae
Sandy areas, wastelands, hillside slopes
Tropical, subtropical
Weed of pastures, cotton, crops
W, NW, AW, EW
Indigenous
Verbascum thapsus
Scrophu-lariaceae
Grassy slopes, grasslands near river banks
Temperate
Ornamental
W, NW, AW, EW
Indigenous
Viburnum opulus
Caprifoliaceae
Valley forest
Temperate
Ornamental
W, EW
Indigenous
* Abbreviations for the Global Compendium of Weeds column:
W: weed; SW: sleeper weed; NW: noxious weed; AW: Agricultural Weed; EW: Environmental Weed.




Species of Asian origin which are already included in the EPPO List of Invasive Alien Plants or in the EPPO Alert List:
Species
Family
Habitat in China
Climatic area
Uses, introduction
GCW
EPPO region
Ailanthus altissima (EPPO List of IAP)
Simaroubaceae
Disturbed areas
Tropical, subtropical, temperate
Reforestation, ornamental, timber
W, NW, AW, EW
Invasive in almost the whole EPPO region
Buddleia davidii (EPPO List of IAP)
Buddleiaceae
Thickets, hillsides
Tropical to temperate
Ornamental, medicinal
W, SW, NW, AW, EW
Invasive in AT, CH, DE, FR, PO, GB
Humulus scandens (EPPO Alert List)
Cannabaceae
Wastelands, forest margins, thickets along streams
;
;
W, AW
EPPO Alert List, invasive in FR, HU, IT
Pueraria montana var. lobata (EPPO A2 List)
Fabaceae
Dense or sparse forests, roadsides
Tropical, subtropical, temperate
Erosion control, ornamental
W, NW, AW, EW
Invasive in CH, IT
Polygonum perfoliatum (EPPO Alert List)
Polygonaceae
Along rivers, roadsides, forest margins and stream banks
Tropical, subtropical, temperate
Ornamental, medicinal
W, NW, AW, EW
Naturalized in TR
Reynoutria japonica (= Fallopia japonica) (EPPO List of IAP)
Polygonaceae
Roadsides, wetlands
Temperate
Medicinal
W, SW, NW, AW, EW
Invasive in many countries
* Abbreviations for the Global Compendium of Weeds column:
W: weed; SW: sleeper weed; NW: noxious weed; AW: Agricultural Weed; EW: Environmental Weed.


Species originating from China which may present a risk if introduced as ornamentals:
Species
Family
Habitat in China
Climatic area
Uses, introduction
GCW
EPPO region
Acer ginnala
Aceraceae
Forests
Temperate
Ornamental, medicinal
NW, EW
Planted,/
Akebia quinata
Lardizabalaceae
Forest margins, streams
Temperate
Ornamental, medicinal
W, EW
Cultivated, naturalized in FR, possibly in C-Eur.
Albizia julibrissin
Fabaceae
Hillsides, valleys, plains
Tropical, subtropical
Ornamental, landscaping
W, EW
Planted, /
Ampelopsis heterophylla var. brevipedunculata
Vitaceae
Forests, valleys
Tropical
Ornamental
W, NW, EW
/
Berberis thunbergii
Berbericaceae
/
Temperate
Ornamental
W, NW, AW, EW
Invasive in C-Eur.
Bischofia javanica
Euphorbiaceae
Humid valley forests
Temperate, tropical
Ornamental, wood
W, NW, EW
/
Broussonetia papyrifera
Moraceae
Roadsides, ditch banks, crop field margins, forests
Tropical, temperate
Ornamental, medicinal
W, EW
Invasive in IT
Caesalpinia decapetala
Fabaceae
Bushy hillsides, streams
Tropical, temperate
Ornamental, medicinal
W, NW, AW, EW
Planted, /
Celastrus orbiculatus
Celastraceae
Thickets on hillsides
Tropical, subtropical, temperate
Ornamental, medicinal
W, NW, EW
Occurs in the GB
Cinnamomum camphora
Lauraceae
Valleys, mountain slopes
Tropical, subtropical, temperate
Ornamental, wood, oil
W, SW, NW, AW, EW
Occurs in S-Eur.
Colubrina asiatica
Rhamnaceae
Forested areas
Tropical, temperate
Ornamental
W, NW, AW
/
Commelina communis
Commelinaceae
Forest edges, wet areas, crop fields, orchards, ditches, roadsides
Tropical, temperate
Ornamental, weed, medicinal
W, AW, EW
Invasive in SE, LT
Cotoneaster microphyllus
Rosaceae
Rocky mountain slopes, thickets, river valleys
Temperate
Ornamental
W, EW
/
Cotoneaster pannosus
Rosaceae
Mountainous scrub land, rocky areas, wastelands
Temperate
Ornamental
W, NW, EW
Naturalized in the GB, IR
Elaeagnus angustifolia
Elaeagnaceae
Mountainous areas, plains, sands and desert
Subtropical, temperate
Ornamental
W, NW, AW, EW
Invasive in some countries
Elaeagnus pungens
Elaeagnaceae
Hilly slopes, roadsides
Subtropical, temperate
Ornamental, medicinal
W, EW
/
Elaeagnus umbellata
Elaeagnaceae
Forest edges, thickets, hillside wastelands, streambanks
Subtropical, temperate
Ornamental
W, NW, AW, EW
/
Euonymus alatus
Celastraceae
Deciduous broadleaf forests, ditches
Warm subtropical to temperate
Ornamental
W, NW, EW
/
Euonymus fortunei
Celastraceae
Hillsides, forests, forest margins, riverbanks
Warm subtropical to temperate
Ornamental
W, EW
/
Ficus altissima
Moraceae
Mountains, plains
Tropical, subtropical
Ornamental
W, NW, EW
/
Ficus microcarpa
Moraceae
/
Tropical, subtropical
Ornamental
W, SW, NW, AW, EW
/
Ligustrum sinense
Oleaceae
Mixed forest, scrublands, ravines, streams
Tropical, temperate
Ornamental
W, SW, NW, EW
/
Lonicera fragrantissima
Caprifoliaceae
Scrublands
Temperate and subtropical
Ornamental
W, SW, EW
/
Lonicera japonica
Caprifoliaceae
Riparian areas
Temperate and subtropical
Ornamental
W, SW, NW, AW, EW
Invasive in CH, ES, FR, IT, SL, etc.
Lygodium japonicum
Schizaeaceae
Roadsides, forests, forest margins, crop field margins
Tropical and subtropical
Ornamental, medicinal
W, NW, EW
/
Lygodium microphyllum
Schizaeaceae
Streambank, roadsides
Tropical and subtropical
Ornamental, medicinal
W, NW, EW
/
Melia azedarach
Meliaceae
Open fields, roadsides, sparse forests
Tropical and subtropical
Ornamental, medicinal
W, SW, NW, AW, EW
Naturalized in ES, FR, GR, IS, SE
Miscanthus sinensis
Gramineae
Mountainous areas, highlands, wastelands
Tropical, subtropical, temperate
Ornamental, wood
W, NW, AW, EW
Planted, present in S-Eur.
Morus alba
Moraceae
Forests
Temperate, temperate
Ornamental, food
W, NW, AW, EW
Invasive in many countries: ES, FR, SE
Paederia foetida
Rubiaceae
Forests
Tropical
Ornamental, weed
W, NW, AW, EW
/
Paulownia tomentosa
Scrophulariaceae
/
Tropical, temperate
Ornamental
W, SW, NW, EW
/
Quercus acutissima
Fagaceae
Pure or mixed forests
Tropical, subtropical, temperate
Ornamental, wood
W, EW
/
Rosa multiflora
Rosaceae
Thickets, forest margins, roadsides, streams
Subtropical to cold temperate
Ornamental, medicinal
W, NW, AW, EW
Naturalized in the GB
Rubus ellipticus var. obcordatus
Rosaceae
Roadsides, sparse forests
Temperate
Ornamental, medicinal
W, NW, AW, EW
/
Spiraea japonica
Rosaceae
/
Temperate, subtropical
Ornamental
W, EW
Cultivated, /
Tamarix ramosissima
Tamaricaceae
Hillside slopes, stream banks, stream beds
Arid, semi-arid
Ornamental, erosion control
W, NW, EW
Invasive in IT
Taxus cuspidata
Taxaceae
Acidic soils in cold, humid habitats
Temperate
Ornamental, wood, medicinal
SW, EW
/
Wisteria sinensis
Leguminosae
Valleys, mountain forest
Tropical to temperate
Ornamental
W, EW
Planted, naturalized in FR
Wisteria floribunda (= W. multijuga)
Leguminosae
/
Tropical to temperate
Ornamental
W, EW
Planted, /
* Abbreviations for the Global Compendium of Weeds column:
W: weed; SW: sleeper weed; NW: noxious weed; AW: Agricultural Weed; EW: Environmental Weed.


Species originating from China which may present a risk if introduced for other purposes (e.g. wood, forage) or as contaminants:
Species
Family
Habitat in China
Climatic area
Uses, introduction
GCW
EPPO region
Abutilon theophrasti
Malvaceae
Along roadsides, ditches, riverbanks, disturbed areas and crop fields
Tropical and subtropical
Fibre and oil, weed
W, SW, NW, AW, EW
Invasive in many countries
Arthraxon hispidus
Poaceae
Moist areas of grasslands, hillsides, along streams
Tropical, subtropical
Forage
W, NW, AW, EW
/
Arundo donax
Poaceae
Sandy soil along riverbanks and roadsides
Tropical and subtropical
Forage, building material
W, NW, AW, EW
Naturalized in E-Eur., Invasive in S-Eur.
Carex kobomugi
Cyperaceae
Along riverbanks and sandy lakeshores
Temperate
Papermaking
NW, EW
/
Dioscorea batatas
Dioscoreacea
Forest, scrubland, forest, rivers, roadsides, disturbed areas
Tropical, temperate
Medicinal
W, EW
/
Lespedeza cuneata
Fabaceae
Roadsides, slopes, ridges, stream banks, ravines, crop field margins
Tropical to temperate
Medicinal, forage
W, SW, NW, AW, EW
/
Microstegium vimineum
Poaceae
Forest edges, moist grasslands, wetlands, margin of crop field, ditch banks, ravines
Tropical, temperate
Forage
W, NW, AW, EW
Only recorded in TR
Murdannia keisak
Commelinaceae
Wet places such as ditch sides, flooded field margins, shaded roadsides
Tropical, subtropical, temperate
Weed
W, NW, AW, EW
/
Perilla frutescens
Lamiaceae
Along roadsides, ditches, forest margins, hillsides
Tropical, temperate
Oil, medicinal
W, AW, EW
Naturalized in RU
Phellodendron amurense
Rutaceae
Forested areas, along rivers
Temperate
Wood, medicinal
W, NW, EW
Naturalized in BG, RO
Rottboellia exaltata
Poaceae
Crop fields, roadsides
Tropical, subtropical
Weed
W, NW, AW
/
Rubus niveus
Rosaceae
Hillside slopes, sparse forests, valleys, flood land, streamsides
Temperate
Food
W, NW, AW, EW
/
Rubus phoenicolasius
Rosaceae
Roadsides, valleys, forests
Temperate
Medicinal
W, NW, AW, EW
/
Sapium sebiferum
Euphorbiaceae
Open areas, edges of crop fields, sparse forests, bodies of water
Tropical
Medicinal
W, NW, AW, EW
/
Setaria faberi
Poaceae
Hill slopes, roadsides; crop fields, orchards, wastelands
Tropical, temperate
Erosion and water control
W, NW, AW, EW
Invasive in DE, NL
Ulmus pumila
Ulmaceae
Hillside, valleys, plains, dunes
Subtropical, temperate
High quality wood, reforestation
W, NW, EW
Cultivated in S-Eur.
* Abbreviations for the Global Compendium of Weeds column:
W: weed; SW: sleeper weed; NW: noxious weed; AW: Agricultural Weed; EW: Environmental Weed.

Sources

A Global Compendium of Weeds ;http://www.hear.org/gcw/alpha_select_gcw.htm
Tutin TG, Heywood VH, Burges NA, Moore DM, Valentine DH, Walters SM and Webb DA (1964/80) Flora Europeaea, Vol 1-5. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge (GB).
Weber, E (2003) Invasive Plant Species of the World. CABI Publishing Wallingford, (GB) pp. 548.
Zheng H, Wu Y, Ding J, Binion D, Fu W, Reardon R (2006) Invasive plants of Asian origin established in the United States and their natural enemies. Volume 1. Forest Health Technology Enterprise Team. Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, United States Department of Agriculture, USDA Forest Service, 147 pp.
Zheng H, Wu Y, Ding J, Binion D, Fu W, Reardon R (2006) Invasive plants established in the United States that are found in Asia and their associated natural enemies. Volume 2. Forest Health Technology Enterprise Team. Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, United States Department of Agriculture, USDA Forest Service, 175 pp.