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Identification Tools
Click any photo below to learn more about these species and what you can do to help. Click an ecoregion on the map to view plants only in that area.
Future Invasive Plants
Species not known to exist in each ecoregion, but pose a significant risk if introduced
Priority Invasive Plants
Species are top priority for eradication for new and existing populations
State Noxious Weed
The term "noxious" means to be harmful or destructive, and is the legal term used to denote a destructive or harmful pest for the purpose of regulation. When a specific pest is determined to pose a serious threat to the economic, social, or aesthetic well-being of the residents of the state, it may be declared noxious by the Director of the Nebraska Department of Agriculture. Landowners can face fines if a noxious weed is not controlled on their property.
County Noxious Weed
The term "noxious" means to be harmful or destructive, and is the legal term used to denote a destructive or harmful pest for the purpose of regulation. When a specific pest is determined to pose a serious threat to the economic, social, or aesthetic well-being of the residents of the state, it may be declared noxious by the Director of the Nebraska Department of Agriculture. Landowners can face fines if a noxious weed is not controlled on their property.
Established Invasive Plants
Species are established and prevention of spread to new areas is a priority
Absinth Wormwood
Artemisia absinthium L.
Perennial forb found in roadsides that can spread from infested hay onto farmsteads.
Amur Maple
Acer ginnala
Can displace native shrubs and under story trees in open forests, and shades out native species in prairie habitats.
Black Knapweed
Centaurea moncktonii
Out-competes other plants in pastures, hayfields, meadows, riparian areas, forest margins, and rights-of-way.
Brittle Naiad
Najas minor
Thick infestations of can inhibit the growth of native aquatic vegetation and make fishing and recreational
boating difficult.
boating difficult.
Canada Thistle
Cirsium arvense
Multi-million dollar losses in crop production due to competition. Releases toxic substances into the soil which inhibits growth of some plants.
Caucasian Bluestem
Bothriochloa bladhii
Establishes easier than the native bluestems. Increases risk of wildfire due to standing dry vegetation. Competes with native vegetation.
Priority
CURLY-LEAF PONDWEED
Potamogeton crispus
Forms dense mats at the water surface that interfere with boating, fishing, waterfowl hunting, and swimming.
Cutleaf & Common Teasel
Dipsacus laciniatus & fullonum
The teasels form large dense stands that choke out desirable plant species. This can reduce forage, wildlife habitat, and species diversity.
Known
Priority
Eurasian Watermilfoil
Myriophyllum spicatum
Competes aggressively to displace and reduce the diversity of native aquatic plants.
European Buckthorn
Rhamnus cathartica
Alternate host for oat rust; Forms thickets (sometimes monocultures) with thorns which can be hazardous; Out-competes native vegetation.
Established
Garlic Mustard
Alliaria petiolata
Competes with native vegetation by early growth, inhibits the growth of mycorrhizal fungi, and can be lethal to butterfly larvae.
Giant Reed
Arundo donax
Chokes rivers and streams, crowds out native plants and wildlife, and increases fire potential.
Giant Salvinia
Salvinia molesta
Poses a serious threat to lakes, ponds, streams, rivers and other freshwater wetlands, and cultivated rice fields.
Goatsrue
Galega officinalis
Forms dense colonies that deter livestock movement. Is toxic to sheep. Competes with native vegetation.
Houndstongue
Cynoglossum officinale
Can cause skin irritation, gets caught in animal fur, reducing the value of the pelt.
Hydrilla
Hydrilla verticillata
Forms tall and dense stands in the water column, blocking sunlight penetration potentially displacing other aquatic organisms and impeding water flow.
Japanese & Giant Knotweed
Fallopia japonica, F. sachalinensis
Spreads rapidly and forms dense, altering habitat for wildlife, increasing the risk of flooding and river bank erosion.
Japanese, Morrow's, Show Fly, Tatarian & Amur Honeysuckle
Lonicera japonica, L. morrowii, L. morrowii x tatarica and L. maackii
Kudzu
Pueraria montana
Called “the vine that ate the South” because of its rampant growth over buildings, trees and objects.
Leafy Spurge
Euphorbia esula
Costs millions of dollars annually due to lost production. Considered toxic to cattle. Establishes quickly and easily and out-competes native vegetation.
Medusahead
Taeniatherum caput-medusae (L.) Nevski
Invasive grass species
Musk Thistle
Carduus nutans
Prolific seed production. Forms dense colonies which reduces yield in forage crops. Competes with native vegetation.
Oriental Bittersweet
Celastrus orbiculatus
Vigorously growing vine that smothers vegetation. This plant is displacing native American bittersweet through competition and hybridization.
Established
Palmer Amaranth
Amaranthus palmeri
Palmer amaranth can be toxic to livestock. It can reduce
corn yields by 91% and soybean yields by 79%.
corn yields by 91% and soybean yields by 79%.
Perennial Pepperweed
Lepidium latifolium
Brings salt from deep in the soil to the surface. Grows into dense colonies which reduces habitat for wildlife.
Phragmites Common Reed
Phragmites australis
Forms dense stands over very large areas, restricting water movement, trapping sediment and causing changes in water quality.
Plumeless Thistle
Carduus acanthoides
Thousands of dollars lost in Nebraska agricultural production annually. Competes with native vegetation.
Purple Loosestrife
Lythrum salicaria, L. virgatum.
Thousands of dollars lost in Nebraska agricultural production annually. Competes with native vegetation.
Russian Knapweed
Acroptilon repens
Forms dense, single species stands over time due to competition and allelopathy; is toxic to horses.
Priority
Saint John'swort
Hypericum perforatum
A single plant can produce 15,000-30,000 seeds; Forms dense colonies and can be toxic to livestock. Competes with native vegetation.
Saltcedar
Tamarix ramosissima
Pulls heavy amounts of water from the soil with long taproot; competes with native vegetation; standing vegetation can increase risk of fire.
Saltlover
Halogeton glomeratus
High in oxalates and is a serious health threat to grazing animals, especially sheep.
Sericea Lespedeza
Lespedeza cuneata
Seeds remain viable for up to 20 years, contains dyes that reduce forage value and aggressively competes with native vegetation.
Sickleweed
Falcaria vulgaris
Forms dense populations, alters plant community composition and structure when it invades perennial grasslands.
Spotted & Diffuse Knapweed
Centaurea biebersteinii, Centaurea diffusa
Allelopathic chemicals affect other plants. Establishes readily on disturbed ground, decreases forage production for livestock.
Sulphur Cinquefoil
Potentilla recta
Vigorous growth rate due to persistent fibrous root system, can self pollinate. Competes with native vegetation.
Sweet Autumn Virgin's Bower
Clematis terniflora
Vigorous growth rate, forms a dense tangle that can completely overtake supporting structures/plants.
Water Hyacinth
Eichhornia spp.
Rapidly grows/spreads, seen as dense floating mats on the water which restricts light for organisms below, inhibits recreational activities.
Yellow Bedstraw
Galium verum
Can out-compete native species and ease of distribution makes it difficult to track.
Yellow Bluestem
Bothriochloa ischaemum
Are less palatable and less nutritious to cattle than native warm-season grasses, and once established, are almost impossible to eradicate.
Yellow Starthistle
Centaurea solstitialis
Forms dense infestations and rapidly depletes soil moisture, thus preventing the establishment of other species.