Download florida noxious weeds

INVASION OF THE
NATURE
SNATCHERS:
The seeds are scattered –
the terror grows!
1.
What is a noxious weed?
2.
What is an invasive species?
3.
Can a species be both noxious and invasive?
4.
How does a species become a Florida
noxious weed?
5.
What was the latest DPI Weed of the Month?
Definitions of a noxious weed
• Federal
• Florida
FEDERAL NOXIOUS WEED
ACT OF 1974
7 U.S.C. §§ 2801-2814, January 3, 1975, as amended 1988 and 1994.
seeking to have plants included in Rule 5B-57.007, F.A.C., may make
application to the department on form DACS-08215: Application for
Inclusion to the Noxious Weed List.
Noxious weed: any living stage (including
seeds and reproductive parts) of a parasitic
or other plant of a kind which is of foreign
origin, is new to or not widely prevalent in
the U.S., and can directly or indirectly
injure crops, other useful plants, livestock,
poultry or other interests of agriculture,
including irrigation, navigation, fish and
wildlife resources, or the public health.
FLORIDA NOXIOUS WEEDS
Any living stage of a parasitic or
other plant which may be a serious
agricultural threat in Florida; have a
negative impact on endangered,
threatened, or commercially exploited
plant species; or if the plant is a
naturalized plant that disrupts
naturally occurring native plant
communities.
Florida has lots of bad plants and
Lots of lists!
 Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council
(FLEPPC) list of invasive plant species
 IFAS assessment of non-native plants in
Florida’s natural areas
 FDACS noxious weeds and invasive
species
 FDACS prohibited aquatic plants
Invasive species
Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council
(FLEPPC)
An exotic plant has been introduced to Florida, either
purposefully or accidentally, from outside of Florida.
An invasive exotic plant sustains itself outside of
cultivation and is expanding its range in Florida plant
communities.
Invasive species
FLEPPC
• Category I invasives are altering native plant
communities by displacing native species, changing
community structures or ecological functions, or
hybridizing with natives.
• Category II invasive exotics have increased in
abundance or frequency but have not yet altered
Florida plant communities to the extent shown by
Category I species.
IFAS assessment of non-native plants
in Florida’s natural areas
• Assessments are based on scientific research
• Recommendations are given by region
(north, central and south):
• Invasive and not recommended
• Invasive and not recommended except for
specified and limited use
• Caution (manage to prevent escape)
• OK (not considered a problem at this time)
How are plants added to the
Florida noxious weed list?
Form: APPLICATION FOR INCLUSION
TO THE NOXIOUS WEED LIST
DACS-08215
And plants can be added to the federal list . . .
Now under consideration is
Dolichandra unguis-cati (L.) L.G.Lohmann
Let’s look at a few Florida noxious
weeds and invasive species.
The Vine that Ate the South
KUDZU
Leaves alternate, compound
with three broad, lobed leaflets
CARROTWOOD
Evergreen tree, carrot-colored inner bark
Leaves alternate, compound
Leaflets 2-6 pairs, oblong, leathery, shiny
Fruit yellow orange when ripe
3 black seeds covered by a red-orange coat
WATER-SPINACH
Leaves alternate, simple
arrowhead shaped
but variable, to 7 in long
Stems hollow
WATER SPANGLES;
SALVINIA
Floating aquatic
Hairs on leaf surface
Questions?