Terrestrial invasive plants include exotic, nonnative, or new to the area plants that are land-dwelling, meaning they grow in non-aquatic habitats, including agricultural fields, rangelands, forests, urban landscapes, wildlands, and along waterways. Terrestrial invasive plants include trees, shrubs, vines, grasses and herbaceous plants. They pose a significant threat to our land-focused resources, supplies, or infrastructure. With no natural enemies to keep their population in check and their ability to outcompete Nebraska’s native species for food and other resources, terrestrial invasive plants can become widespread across a landscape quickly.
For non-noxious weeds, the Nebraska Invasive Species Council created four categories* for terrestrial invasive plants that are found in Nebraska:
Priority Terrestrial Invasive Species*
Priority Terrestrial Invasive Species* are those species that are currently present in Nebraska but with limited distribution. They are considered highly unwanted species and all efforts should be taken to prevent the expansion of their populations. Those organisms include:
Absinth Wormwood
(Artemisia absinthium)
Established Terrestrial Invasive Species*
Established Terrestrial Invasive Species* are those species that are well established in Nebraska and total elimination is impossible. Local control and removal is the best that can be expected. Those organisms include:
Amur Honeysuckle
(Lonicera maackii)
Amur Maple
(Acer ginnala)
Autumn Olive
(Elaeagnus umbellata)
Callery Pear
(Pyrus calleryana)
*Important Disclaimer:
As opposed to aquatic invasive species and noxious weeds, there is no official list of Nebraska’s invasive terrestrial (land-dwelling) plant species created by a regulatory agency in the state. This list is unofficial; it is not for regulatory purposes.
Instead, this list is intended to serve three purposes:
To evaluate a plant species for horticultural, agricultural, or ecological projects. A species on this list may warrant further research before being planted or used.
To be used as a resource for landowners and land managers who find one of these plant species on their land and want more information.
To encourage the public to report sightings of some of these plant species, which can be shared with regulatory agencies and other organizations to help prevent the plant's spread and/or establishment in Nebraska and/or to help determine possible management strategies.
Species on this list may be included for a variety of reasons. Those include:
The plant species shows common characteristics identified as invasive in published scientific literature.
The plant species is designated as invasive by a regulatory agency and/or authority in a nearby state.
The plant species is spreading rapidly, causing environmental or agricultural damage, and/or acting problematically as determined through credible reports from land managers, landowners, researchers, and/or scientists in Nebraska.
Terrestrial Invasive Species Listed as Noxious in Nebraska
Terrestrial Invasive Species Listed as Noxious in Nebraska are regulated by the Nebraska Department of Agriculture as noxious plant species. Under the Noxious Weed Control Act in Nebraska, designated noxious plant species are required by law for it to be removed from public and private land in the state. Those species include:
Canada Thistle
(Cirsium arvense)
County-Designated Noxious Species
County-Designated Noxious Species are regulated by county weed control authorities as noxious plant species in certain Nebraska counties. Under the Noxious Weed Control Act in Nebraska, designated noxious plant species are required by law for it to be removed from public and private land if found in the counties specified.
