KY-EPPC

Kentucky Exotic Pest Plant Council

Kentucky Exotic Pest Plant Council

1.  Severe Threat
 Exotic plant species which possess characteristics of invasive species and spread easily into native plant communities and displace native vegetation; includes species which are or could become widespread in Kentucky.

Ailanthus altissimatree-of-heaven
Alliaria petiolatagarlic mustard
Carduus nutansmusk thistle
Celastrus orbiculataoriental bittersweet
Conium maculatumpoison hemlock
Coronilla variacrown vetch
Dioscorea oppositifoliaChinese yam
Elaeagnus umbellataautumn olive
Euonymus alatuswinged euonymus, burning bush
Euonymus fortuneiwinter creeper
Festuca arundinacea (=Lolium arundinaceum)Kentucky 31 fescue
Lespedeza cuneatasericea lespedeza
Ligustrum sinense, L. vulgareprivet
Lonicera japonicaJapanese honeysuckle
Lonicera maackii, L. morrowi, L. tataricaamur/bush honeysuckle, Morrow’s, tartarian h.s.
Lythrum salicariapurple loosestrife
Melilotus albawhite sweet clover
Melilotus officinalisyellow sweet clover
Microstegium vimineumJapanese grass
Miscanthus sinensisChinese silver grass
Paulownia tomentosaPrincess tree
Phragmites australiscommon reed
Polygonum cuspidatumJapanese knotweed
Pyrus calleryanacallery pear
Pueraria lobatakudzu
Rosa multifloramultiflora rose
Sorghum halepenseJohnson grass
Stellaria mediachickweed

2.  Significant Threat
 Exotic plant species which possess some invasive characteristics, but have less impact on native plant communities; may have the capacity to invade natural communities along disturbance corridors, or to spread from stands in disturbed sites into undisturbed areas, but have fewer characteristics of invasive species than #1 rank.

Akebia quinataakebia
Albizia julibrissinmimosa
Arthraxon hispidushairy jointgrass
Arctium minuscommon burdock
Berberis thunbergiiJapanese barberry
Bromus inermissmooth bromegrass
Centaurea biebersteiniispotted knapweed
Chrysanthemum leucanthemumox-eye daisy
Cirsium arvenseCanada thistle
Daucus carotaQueen Anne’s lace
Dipsacus sylvestriscommon teasel
Eleusine indicagoose grass
Glechoma hederaceaground ivy
Hedera helixEnglish ivy
Ipomoea hederaceaivy-leafed morning-glory
Ipomoea purpureapurple morning-glory
Lespedeza bicolorbicolor lespedeza
Lespedeza stipulacea (=Kummerowia)Korean lespedeza
Lespedeza striata (= Kummerowia)Kobe lespedeza
Mentha piperatamint
Morus albawhite mulberry
Mosla diantheraminiature beefsteak
Ornithogalum umbellatumstar-of-Bethlehem
Poa pratensisbluegrass
Polygonum cespitosumbunchy knotweed
Polygonum persicarialady’s thumb
Populus albawhite poplar
Rorrippa nasturtium-aquaticumwater cress
Setaria faberigiant foxtail
Setaria viridisgreen foxtail
Spiraea japonicaJapanese spiraea
Vinca minorlesser periwinkle

3.  Lesser Threat
 Exotic plant species which seem to principally spread and remain in disturbed corridors, not readily invading natural areas; also some agronomic weeds.

Arenaria serpyllifoliathyme-leaf sandwort
Barbarea vulgarisyellow rocket
Chenopodium albumlamb’s quarters
Chenopodium ambrosioidesMexican tea
Cichorium intybuschicory
Commelina communisdayflower
Convolvulus arvensisfield bindweed
Dianthus armeriaDeptford pink
Duchesnea indicaIndian strawberry
Echinochloa crus-gallibarnyard grass
Eragrostis cilianensislovegrass
Galium pedemontanumcleavers
Hemerocallis fulvaday lily
Holcus lanatusvelvet grass
Hypericum perforatumcommon St. John’s-wort
Lactuca salignawillowleaf lettuce
Lamium amplexicaulehenbit
Leonurus cardiacamotherwort
Lespedeza thunbergiishrubby lespedeza
Lithospermum arvensecorn-gromwell
Lolium multiflorumItalian rye
Medicago lupulinablack medic
Nepeta catariacatnip
Oxalis stricta (= O. europea)common yellow wood-sorrel
Poa annuaspeargrass
Poa compressa“Canada” bluegrass
Potentilla rectasulphur five-fingers
Ranunculus bulbosusbulbous buttercup
Rumex acetoselladock, sheep sorrel
Solanum dulcamarabitter nightshade
Thlaspi perfoliatumfield cress