Plants
Sandhills
Download the current weed watch list
Identification Tools
The following are plant species that are considered invasive to Nebraska, and present specifically in the Sandhills ecoregion. This includes the counties of Arthur, Blaine, Brown, Cherry, Garden, Garfield, Grant, Holt, Hooker, Lincoln, Logan, Loup, McPherson, Rock, Sheridan, Thomas, and Wheeler.
Click any photo below to learn more about these species and what you can do to help.
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.
Black Knapweed
Centaurea moncktonii
Brittle Naiad
Najas minor
boating difficult.
Canada Thistle
Cirsium arvense
Eurasian Watermilfoil
Myriophyllum spicatum
Giant Reed
Arundo donax
Giant Salvinia
Salvinia molesta
Houndstongue
Cynoglossum officinale
Hydrilla
Hydrilla verticillata
Japanese & Giant Knotweed
Fallopia japonica, F. sachalinensis
Leafy Spurge
Euphorbia esula
Musk Thistle
Carduus nutans
Oriental Bittersweet
Celastrus orbiculatus
Palmer Amaranth
Amaranthus palmeri
corn yields by 91% and soybean yields by 79%.
Perennial Pepperweed
Lepidium latifolium
Phragmites Common Reed
Phragmites australis
Plumeless Thistle
Carduus acanthoides
Purple Loosestrife
Lythrum salicaria, L. virgatum.
Saltcedar
Tamarix ramosissima
Sericea Lespedeza
Lespedeza cuneata
Spotted & Diffuse Knapweed
Centaurea biebersteinii, Centaurea diffusa
Sulphur Cinquefoil
Potentilla recta
Water Hyacinth
Eichhornia spp.
