Land Management Program at Archbold Biological Station
P.O. Box 2057,  Lake Placid, FL 33862
 Phone 863-465-2571  FAX 863-699-1927
 E-mail: landmanager@archbold-station.org

Category 1 Plants

* = Plant not known from Archbold Biological Station, but occurring in Highlands County

1. Silk Tree (Albizia julibrissin)
   Native to Asia, this plant escaped from cultivation and is common in disturbed sites throughout north and central Florida.  It is a popular landscape plant because of it's showy, pinkish flowers that occur in the spring.  This tree is very common in central and northern Florida, where it has invaded natural areas.  In Highlands County, it occurs sporadically in the county.  At Archbold Biological Station, it is known only from the Lousy 10 Acre Tract. (Locations at ABS and the Reserve)
   
2. Rosary Pea (Abrus precatorius)
   This vine was introduced from India in the early 1930’s.  This species produces numerous seed-pods containing 6-10 seeds that are produced in the Fall.  It spreads rapidly in areas that have been burned.  It is common around old hoe sites and disturbed lands throughout Highlands County.  It is one of few invasive exotic plants that has spread into interior portions of xeric uplands at the Station.  Rosary pea is common in the Plaza area (SW Tract) and Red Hill (SE Tract) of ABS. (Locations at ABS and the Reserve)
   
3. Coral Ardisia (Ardisia crenata)*  {no photo}
   A small evergreen shrub (to about 6 feet in height) that is native to Japan and south Asia.  It is mostly found in moist hammocks and has invaded Highlands Hammock State Park.  It has alternate, waxy leaves, often grows in clumps, and it produces numerous reddish fruits all year which are spread by birds and possibly small mammals.  
   
4. Australian-Pine (Casuarina equisetifolia)*
   Australian pine is native to Australia, Pacific Islands, and southeast Asia. No Australian-pines occur on Archbold property, but this species is present in some areas of Highlands County on and off the Ridge.  Planted extensively on both the east and west coasts of southern Florida, this plant has become naturalized in many coastal communities.  The seeds are spread by wind and possibly by doves.
   
5. Camphor Tree (Cinnamomum camphora)
   Native to eastern Asia, this species was introduced into Florida in 1875 for camphor production and often planted as an ornamental.  Most abundant in mesic sites and to a degree in dry sites in many natural areas of north and central Florida. The spread of this plant is facilitated by birds that eat the fruits in the winter and subsequently spread the seeds.  Several small and resprouting camphor trees occur in the Plaza area (SW Tract) at Archbold.  Potentially, this plant could invade pine and scrubby flatwood habitat at Archbold.  Planted as an ornamental in many residential areas of Highlands County. (Locations at ABS and the Reserve)
   
6. Wild Taro (Colocasia esculenta)
   Native to southeast Asia and India, this species is typically found in wetlands, ditches, and canals.  Wild taro was introduced as food crop in the 1800's.  It is easily identified by its large (2-3 ft.) shield-like leaves. This plant spreads primarily by corms (underground stem) and corm fragments, and increases in it's density can possibly be related to foraging activity by feral hogs. Small patches occur in low lying areas of the Main Grounds at Archbold.  In Highlands County, it is occasionally found in canals and ditches, but may be present in any wet environment, especially disturbed areas.  (Locations at ABS and the Reserve)
   
7. Air-potato (Dioscorea bulbifera)
   Introduced from tropical Asia around 1905, this vine is spreading rapidly into many disturbed sites and natural communities in north and central Florida.  Each bulbil produces numerous aerial tubers in the summer which accelerate its spread.  It enters a dormant period in the winter, but vigorously re-sprouts in the fall starting in late March to early April.  Scattered populations exist throughout Highlands County, including Highland Hammocks State Park and several lake front residential sites in Placid Lakes Estates.  This species is a serious pest plant in the Plaza area at Archbold Biological Station.  (Locations at ABS and the Reserve)
   
8. Water-hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes)* 
   Native to South America, this plant has choked canals and lakes in Florida, altering water flow and restricting boat traffic.  A floating aquatic plant that is sometimes rooted in muck.  It spreads primarily from stolons and fragmentation, and often forms dense floating mats in water bodies in which the plants are connected by stolons.  In Highlands County, this species is most commonly found in the canals and ditches, but also occurs in lakes and streams.
   
9. Surinam Cherry (Eugenia uniflora)
   This tropical species is native to South America and was introduced into the United States about 1930.  In south Florida, it escaped cultivation and has invaded hardwood hammocks.  It thrives in shaded, mesic hammocks.  This shrub has a moderate growth rate reaching about 15 feet in height.  Surinam cherry flowers in February and March, and produces numerous, edible fruits that are spread by birds and small mammals.  It is commonly planted as an ornamental in residential areas of Highlands County.  At Archbold Biological Station, it was planted in the Plaza area of Archbold Biological Station as an ornamental.  Limited spread at ABS appears to be due to the plants inability to tolerate frost.  (Locations at ABS and the Reserve)
   
10. Hydrilla (Hydrilla verticillata)* 
    Native to the Old World, hydrilla is found in all counties of Florida often forming very dense thickets in lakes and ponds.  Hydrilla is considered one of the worst invasive plants, wetland or upland, in Florida. It also occurs throughout most of the southeast United States and some Mid-Atlantic states.  It is a submersed aquatic plant that is typically rooted, but it's spread is facilitated by stem fragments.  Individual plants have whorled leaves on slender stems that can reach >30 ft. in length.  It occurs in several lakes in Highlands County, noticeably Lake Istokpoga where thousands of dollars have been spent on control.
    
11. Cogon Grass (Imperata cylindrical)
    This native of southeast Asia is classified as one of the top 10 worst invasive pest plant in the World.  It is fire tolerant and difficult to control with herbicide because of extensive rhizomes. One of the keys to identifying this grass is the presence of an off-set midrib along the blade.  The panicle (e.g., flower) of this grass is a silky white plume that can be observed during every month of the year, though most of the flowering occurs in the fall and winter.  This species of Cogon grass is common in many areas in Highlands County, especially along roadsides and disturbed residential lots.  It is currently known from three locations at Archbold and numerous sites at the Reserve.  (Locations at ABS and the Reserve)
    
12. Lantana (Lantana camara)
    Native to the West Indies, this plant is now naturalized in all warm regions of the World.  It is toxic to cattle.  Flowers and berry-like fruits are produced all year at Archbold Biological Station. It fruits are spread by birds and possibly small mammals.  It is commonly planted to attract butterflies and is often promoted for that reason.  Because of this, it is a popular ornamental plant that is commonly sold in nurseries and garden stores in Highlands County.  Lantana cultivars have been developed that that do not produce viable seeds, and these are the ones that should be planted as landscape plants to attract butterflies.  Lantana was planted in the Plaza and Red Hill areas as an ornamental. This plant is one of the few invasive plants that has been discovered in the middle of undisturbed scrub habitat.  (Locations at ABS and the Reserve)
    
13. Japanese Climbing Fern (Lygodium japonicum)
    Native to eastern Asia, this plant is more cold tolerant than Old World climbing fern and is distributed through most of the southeastern states. Known form both temperate and tropical areas of southeast Asia, so it's spread into south Florida is most likely inevitable. Differs from Old World climbing fern in that Old World climbing fern pinnae (leaflets) are 1-compound and Japanese climbing fern pinnea are twice compound.  Terminal leaflets are longer and more pointed than the terminal leaflets on Old World climbing fern. This species currently reaches its southern distribution in Highlands County with one documented location from the Reserve in the northeast corner of the Southwest Bayhead.  (Locations at ABS and the Reserve)
    
14. Old World Climbing Fern (Lygodium microphyllum)
    Native to Africa, Southeast Asia, Australia and South Pacific islands, this fern develops wire-like stems that form dense mats completely shading out native flora.  The ferns pinnae (or leaflets) are 1-compound. The fern can rapidly spread into the canopy of wetland trees (i.e., loblolly bay, swamp bay, red maple, etc.).  This may be the most fast spreading, invasive exotic in central and south Florida.  It is known from scattered locales in Highlands County, but appears to be spreading throughout the wetlands and swamps at an alarming rate.  At Archbold, it is known from northeast (bayhead swamp) section of Lake Annie and the southwest section of the Reserve.  In May of 2003, over 125 small clumps were treated along a series of ditches in the southwest section of the Reserve.  This area was surveyed for the fern in August-September of 2002 and no sign of this species was found indicating that this fern is undergoing a rapid population explosion or has recently been introduced to the area!  (Locations at ABS and the Reserve)
    
15. Cat's-Claw Vine (Macfadyena unguis-cati)
    Native to South and Central America, this evergreen vine has opposite leaves in pairs with 3-parted tendrils.  It forms dense cover over fences, shrubs, trees, and other structures climbing > 25 feet.  This vine has bright yellow flowers that occur in the fall and possibly at other times.  An aggressive growing plant that produces numerous linear and flat capsules that are 8-15" long.  It's seed are feather-like and spread by the wind.  It occurs sporadically in Highlands County, but may be common on private lands.  At Archbold, it is known from one location along the northeast corner of Burn Unit 13B where it covers ca. 25 feet of fence line.  (Locations at ABS and the Reserve)
    
16. Melaleuca (Melaleuca quinquenervia)
    This non-native species from Australia was introduced into Florida in 1906. This species fruits are a 2-3 inch capsule that contain > 200 seeds and are spread by wind currents. It exhibits rapid growth enabling it to out compete native vegetation where it commonly forms dense, monoculture stands in wetlands. Dense stands of melaleuca are present in many areas of southeast and southwest Florida.  Scattered populations of this species are present along lake edges and wetlands in Highlands County.  At Archbold Biological Station, it is known from the Price and Waters Satellite Tracts.  
    
17. Chinaberry (Melia azedarach)*
    This tree is native to Asia.  Chinaberry has dark green, compound leaves that produce a strong odor when crushed.  Its fruits are poisonous, but often eaten by birds possibly enhancing the spread of this plant. This plant is a common landscape plant in residential areas.  In many temperate areas of the United States, it is considered an invasive plant in many areas of the southeast. In Highlands County, it can be found growing along roadways adjacent to natural areas.  Several of these trees occur along residential homes adjacent to Archbold Biological Station along Old County Road 8.  
    
18. Erect Sword Fern (Nephrolepis cordifolia)
    The original source of this plant is questionable, but it appears to have be introduced in Florida from eithr the New or Old World Tropics.  It is typically found in shaded hammocks.  This fern differs from native Nephrolepis by the presence of underground tubers on some plants and bicolored rachis scales. Erect sword fern is commonly planted as a ground cover in many residential homes.  It was planted in some areas around the Station's main grounds.  (Locations at ABS and the Reserve)
    
19. Torpedo Grass (Panicum repens)
    Native to South America, it is considered one the most invasive weeds in the southeast.  Torpedo grass thrives in wetlands, ditches, and canals.  This species thrives in moist soils but also grows well in uplands soils.  It spread by numerous underground rhizomes, often forming dense monocultures. It is easily confused with the native maidencane grass that also grows in wet areas.  It is one of the most common invasive grasses in many areas of Highlands County.   Torpedo grass has infested the shallow waters of Lake Annie and is common in low areas along roads throughout Archbold Biological Station.  (Locations at ABS and the Reserve)
    
20. Napier Grass (Pennisetum purpureum)*
    Native to Africa, this plant can grow to > 10 ft. in height.  The leaf blades can exceed 3 feet in total length.  The internodes are white or bluish in coloration.  The mid vein of the leaf blade is white and keeled.  It produces large (>8") spike-like panicles.  Napier grass forms dense clumps and can spread by rhizomes or vegetatively from stem fragments.  It occurs sporadically in Highlands County, and is primarily found in old fields, agricultural sites, disturbed sites, and along roadways.  Scattered clumps occur less than 0.25 miles southeast of the Main Grounds at ABS along Old State Road 8.
    
21. Water-lettuce (Pistia stratiotes)* 
    The native range of this plant is questionable, though it appears to be native to either Africa or South America.  It grows primarily as a free-floating plant in water bodies with little or no flow.  It spreads vegetatively from broken or fragmented stolons. The leaves of water-lettuce are rosette, light green in coloration, and densely haired.  This plant somewhat resembles a head of lettuce, hence the name. Water-lettuce is common invasive aquatic plant throughout Florida, occurring in many water bodies of  Highlands County.
    
22. Strawberry Guava (Psidium cattleianum)
    Native to Brazil, this plant was introduced into Florida around 1880 for fruit production and as an ornamental.  It produces root-suckers that facilitate the spread of this plant.  Strawberry guava produces numerous fruits that are eaten by birds and mammals, further facilitating its spread into natural areas.  It is known from several areas in Highlands County and is still planted as an ornamental in the county.  Strawberry guava was planted in the Plaza area at Archbold Biological Station, but it's spread appears to be limited by frost. Many of the trees are stunted and have resprouted from the base, most likely caused by temperatures that dropped below freezing.  (Locations at ABS and the Reserve)
    
23. Common Guava (Psidium guajava)
    This shrub is native to Central America and northern South America.  It was introduced into Florida ca. 1700’s and naturalized by 1765 for fruit production and as an ornamental.  It thrives in moist soils of hammocks and bayheads, forming dense stands.  This shrub is very shade tolerant.  It often produces numerous fruits that are eaten and spread by birds and mammals. In Highlands County, it is occasionally planted as an ornamental or fruit tree in residential areas.  At Archbold, it is known only from the Plaza and Red Hill Garden area.  (Locations at ABS and the Reserve)
    
24. Downy Rose-myrtle (Rhodomyrtus tomentosa)
    Native to tropical Asia, this plant was introduced into Florida around the early 1920’s as an ornamental for it's showy flowers.  Flowers in the spring (April-May) and produces numerous fruits in the late summer and early fall that are dispersed by animals. In south Florida, this species has invaded mesic and hydric pine flatwoods throughout south Florida.  In some flatwood communities, this plant makes up a large percentage of the understory vegetation.  At Archbold Biological Station, it is known to occur only at the Price Tract. 
    
25. Chinese Tallow (Sapium sebiferum)* 
    Native to eastern Asia, this plant is one of the most invasive plants along the Southeast Coastal Plain.  This plant thrives in wet areas, but also does well in drier sites where it is often planted as an ornamental.  In Highlands County, it is occasionally found in residential areas.  This plant has yet to invade natural areas of Highlands County like other counties in northern Florida.  
    
26. Brazilian Pepper (Schinus terebinthifolius)
    This species is native to South America and imported into the United States as an ornamental around 1840.  It produces numerous red seeds in the late summer and early fall that are eaten and spread by birds.  This highly invasive plant is common in many areas of Highlands County.  At Archbold, it was  very numerous in the Plaza area around 1978, but a severe freeze top-killed the plants.  Soon after the freeze, the plants resprouted, and the resprouts and stumps were removed. It is now very limited at the Station and is most often found in the Plaza area and along mowed fence lines.  However, it is a common invader at the Price and Waters Satellite Tracts.  (Locations at ABS and the Reserve)
    
27. Tropical Soda Apple (Solanum viarum)
    Native to South America, this plant is common in pastures, groves, roadsides, and the edges of natural communities. This invasive exotic is a recent introduction first being discovered in 1988. The stems and leaves have sharp prickles.  In Highlands County, it flowers and produces fruits all year.  Its rapid spread can be attributed to seed-contaminated hay, mowing and plowing.  Tropical soda apple is a common plant in many of the pastures in Highlands County.  At Archbold, it is relatively common in the Reserve, typically being found in large numbers under live oaks where cattle sleep.  (Locations at ABS and the Reserve)
    
28. Java Plum (Syzgium cumini)* 
    Native to southeast Asia and India, this species was apparently planted as an ornamental in parts of Highlands County and can be found along roadsides and vacant lots.  Very limited in the county and does not appear to be spreading into natural areas.  May be limited by colder temperatures (< 40F) as some of the Java plum observed in the county appeared to have been killed back and resprouted.
    
29. Oyster Plant (Tradescantia spathacea)* {no photo}
    Native to Mexico and Central America, this plant is one of the more commonly planted landscape plants in residential yards. This species is easily propagated by roots stock, but also spreads by seed.  This plant is susceptible to cold temperatures that appears to limit its spread in Highlands County.  It is problematic in some natural areas of southeast and southwest Florida. This plant can cause allergic reaction (itching, burning, etc.) in humans that come in contact with broken plants. It is commonly planted as an ornamental in many landscapes of Florida and observed growing as a landscape plant at several homes in Highlands County.  
    
30. Para Grass (Urochloa mutica)
    Native to Africa, this highly invasive grass thrives under wet or dry conditions.  It spreads primarily through vegetative means, and stem fragments of this plant easily resprout.  Introduced into Florida in the late 1800’s or early 1900’s as a forage crop for cattle because of it's high protein value.  In Highlands County, it is common along creeks, ditches, and canals as well as pastures.  At Archbold, it occurs primarily at the Lousy 10 tract, along fence rows, and at the Price Tract.  (Locations at ABS and the Reserve)
    

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• Hutchinson, J.T., April 2003, revised 4 December 2003.
© Archbold Biological Station, 2003 April.
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