Define Invasive Species: must have all of the following –
Is non-native to the area, in our case northwest Florida
Introduced by humans, whether intentional or accidental
Causing either an environmental or economic problem, possibly both
Define “Dirty Dozen” Species:
These are species that are well established within the CISMA and are considered, by members of the CISMA, to be one of the top 12 worst problems in our area.
Native Range:
Chinese privet is from China.
Introduction:
Was introduced to the U.S. in 1852 as an ornamental plant often used as a hedge. It escaped cultivation and has spread across the Florida panhandle and into the peninsula as far as Hillsborough County.
EDDMapS currently list 12,702 records of this plant. They are scattered across the southeastern United States, west as far as Texas and Oklahoma, and north into the mid-west and as far as Connecticut. There are 1,883 records in Florida. 1,740 in the panhandle and 143 in the peninsula. There are 1,461 records within the CISMA. This is CERTAINLY underreported.
Description:
Chinese privet is a perennial shrub that can grow up to 16 feet in height. It has smooth bark and dark green elliptical leaves which are arranged opposite from each other – this is noticeable from a distance. Each leave is 1-3” in length. The small flowers grow from short branches at the ends of each twig. The slate blue fruits contain 1-4 seeds and can persist throughout winter. Seed dispersal is often aided by consuming wildlife.
Issues and Impacts:
This is a fast growing plant that can form dense populations in uplands and wetland areas. It quickly outcompetes native plants for space and is often the dominant plant within the system. It is listed as a Florida Invasive Species Council Category I invasive plant and a Florida noxious weed.
Management:
Management techniques depend on abundance of plants in area.
If there are few plants, they can be hand pulled or dug up. It is recommended not do this while in seed as seed dispersal can be a problem while removing.
If mowing is possible it can be effective if (a) you mow close to the ground, and (b) you do so frequently.
For larger areas where mowing and digging are not an option herbicides can be used. Foliar applications of glyphosate (at 25%) have been affective but be careful of overspray. Cut stump applications will work with glyphosate (25%) or triclopyr (1-2 quarts / acre). It is recommended to do herbicide applications in early spring or late fall.
There is no known biological control at this time.
For more information on this Dirty Dozen species, contact your local extension office.
References
Chinese Privet, University of Florida IFAS Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants
March 6th: Climbing Ferns (Lygodium sp.) & Chinese Privet (Ligustrum sinense)
Japanese Climbing Fern (Lygodium japonicum) and Old World Climbing Ferns (Lygodium microphyllum): are presently the only non-native invasive ferns in Florida. Both ferns reproduce and spread readily by wind-blown spores. A single fertile leaflet can produce 28,600 spores. Animals, equipment, and even people that move through an area with climbing ferns are very likely to pick up spores and move them to other locations on the property or even to other properties. In 2005, they covered 122,787 acres of Florida.
Japanese Climbing Fern Lygodium japonicum photo by Chris Evans, Illinois Wildlife Action Plan, Bugwood.org
Japanese climbing fern is a delicate looking perennial climbing vine. It is capable of forming a dense mat-like thatch capable of covering trees and shrubs. Initially, it was introduced from Japan as an ornamental. It is scattered throughout the lower portions of Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, South Carolina, and south into central Florida. Further planting or cultivation of this vine is prohibited by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. It climbs very quickly to the crowns of pine trees, which can move fire into the growth points during controlled burns, making it a concern on forested lands.
Old World climbing fern has been a problem for many years in central and south Florida but it is currently moving north. The first plant was documented in 1958 by a nursery in Delray Beach. By 1965, it
was found in natural areas of Marion County. The northern edge of its advance by 2012 was Hernando County on the Gulf side and Duval County on the Atlantic coast.
Adequate control of both climbing ferns has been achieved with multiple applications of glyphosate and/or metsulfuron. Other herbicides, such as triclopyr and imazapic have also been used to control
Old World Climbing Fern Lygodium microphyllum photo by Ken A. Langeland, University of Florida, Bugwood.org
Japanese climbing fern. However, when the plant is growing in areas adjacent to wetlands or water, fewer herbicides are registered for those sites. Hand digging is also an option, except when the fern is producing spore covered leaflets. Disturbing it then would propagate more plants.
As with most invasive plants, repeated and correctly timed treatments are likely to be necessary. For more information about climbing ferns contact your local UF/IFAS Extension Office and read the following publications: http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fr133 and http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ss-agr-21.
For more information contact Les Harrison, Agriculture & Natural Resources Extension Agent by phone at 850-926-3931.
Chinese Privet Ligustrum sinense photo by James H. Miller & Ted Bodner, Southern Weed Science Society, Bugwood.org
Chinese Privet (Ligustrum sinense): Chinese Privet is a non-native shrubby tree commonly found in forested areas in northern Florida. This eastern invader thrives in low-lying, wet areas near forest openings and fence rows. Other species of the Ligustrum genus are commonly grown in landscapes. Chinese Privet can be identified in the spring by its small white flowers which omit a foul odor. Birds easily spread this weed by feeding on and excreting the fruit which contain many seeds. Additionally, Chinese Privet can spread by underground plant structures called rhizomes which allow new shoots to sprout up from the ground from a mother plant.
National Invasive Species Awareness Week: March 3rd – March 8th
March 6th: Chinese Privet (Ligustrum sinense) & Alligator Weed (Alternanthera philoxeroides):
Video courtesy of Aquatic and Invasive Plant Identification Series by the UF/IFAS Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants (http://plants.ifas.ufl.edu) and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission, Invasive Plant Management Section.
Chinese Privet: Chinese Privet is a non-native shrubby tree commonly found in forested areas in northern Florida. This eastern invader thrives in low-lying, wet areas near forest openings and fence rows. Other species of the Ligustrum genus are commonly grown in landscapes. Chinese Privet can be identified in the spring by its small white flowers which omit a foul odor. Birds easily spread this weed by feeding on and excreting the fruit which contain many seeds. Additionally, Chinese Privet can spread by underground plant structures called rhizomes which allow new shoots to sprout up from the ground from a mother plant. For control options of Chinese Privet, see http://www.gainvasives.org/pubs/gfcnew.pdf or contact your local extension agent.
For more information, contact the author Josh Thompson, Regional Agriculture/IPM Extension Agent 850-482-9620.
Alligator Weed:This highly invasive aquatic weed, which is a native of South America, was first discovered in Florida in 1894 and is believed to have been transmitted through ballast water. Alligator Weed is usually found as sprawling mats
Alligator Weed photo by Vic Ramey courtesy of UF/IFAS Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants, University of Florida
across the surface of water. Although classified aquatic, it can be found along shorelines or dry land.
This plant is a category II invasive and also an aquatic weed. “This species is on the FL DACS Prohibited Aquatic Plant List – 5B-64.011. According to Florida Statute 369.25, No person shall import, transport, cultivate, collect, sell, or possess any noxious aquatic plant listed on the prohibited aquatic plant list established by the department without a permit issued by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. See 5B-64.011 for more information.”
There are several biological controls of Alligator Weed, such as the Alligator weed Flea Beetle. For more information about this biological control and others, please see the following IFAS extension publication. https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in831 .
For more information, contact the author Matt Orwat, Horticulture Extension Agent 850-638-6180.
