Practical Creek Care - A Handbook for Stewardship | Page 42

NON-NATIVE PLANTS

Common Name Scientific Name Why ? Native Alternative Plants
Chinaberry Tree
Melia azedarach
This tree has attractive flowers but readily invades many different habitats , spreads aggressively and is difficult to control .
Western Soapberry ( Sapindus saponaria var . drummondii ) – attractive small to medium tree ; grows up to 30 ft tall ; fast-growing ; tolerates poor soils ; often suckers and forms groves .
Carolina buckthorn ( Rhamnus caroliniana ) - large shrub to small tree ; grows up to 25 ft tall ; shade and sun-tolerant ; tolerates variety of site conditions .
Chinese Tallow Tree
Triadica sebifera
This fast-growing tree has attractive fall foliage but readily invades many different habitats , spreads aggressively and is difficult to control .
Sycamore ( Platanus occidentalis ) – drought-tolerant tree that grows quickly and can grow in difficult sites ; grows up to 100 ft tall ; bark can be an attractive feature .
Texas red oak ( Quercus buckleyi ) - small to medium tree ; grows up to 20 ft tall ; beautiful fall foliage ; moderate to fast growth rate .
Elephant Ears
Alocasia species , Colocasia species
This widely available plant prefers the water ' s edge and is known to invade streams and other natural riparian areas and is very difficult to control .
Pickerelweed ( Pontederia cordata ) – aquatic perennial with blue hyacinth-like flowers that bloom through the summer .
Arrowhead ( Sagittaria latifolia ) – aquatic-emergent perennial with arrowhead shaped leaves ; flowers have showy white petals .
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