Invasive Plants of the Arroyo
Wildlife habitat in the Arroyo Seco is not only impacted by stream channelization and urban development. Invasive plant species, introduced to our region and naturalized in the wild, disrupt the balance of the Arroyo's ecology and degrade treasured natural areas. Below are descriptions of some common invasive plants found in the Arroyo Seco Watershed. The Arroyo Seco Foundation is working to identify, track, and remove these with our volunteers and project partners.
Eupatory (Ageratina adenophora)
Eupatory invades the Arroyo's soft-bottom stream channels, forming dense patches that push out other species. It is also known as sticky snakeroot for its thick, tangled root mats and rubbery stems. Eupatory was introduced to California as an ornamental and has since escaped cultivation. Clouds of white flowers produce an abundance of seed, which is dispersed by wind, water, soil movement, people and animals.
Tree of Heaven (Ailanthus altissima)
Not to be confused with the native and endangered Southern Calfornia black walnut (Juglans californica), tree of heaven is a tall, spreading plant that has invaded many habitats in the Arroyo Seco. Cutting this tree back encourages vigorous root growth and the expansion of dense stands that crowd out native vegetation. This and its foul smell have earned it another common name: tree of hell.
Giant Reed (Arundo donax)
An early European introduction to California, giant reed was initially cultivated for roofing material and fodder. This large cane is often confused with bamboo and forms impenetrable stands in soft-bottom stream channels, as well as hillsides. Giant reed outcompetes native vegetation for water, and its root system erodes stream banks. Pieces of root swept away in the stream's current can establish themselves downstream, spreading the infestation to new areas. This highly invasive species has been the target of many invasive plant removal programs in Southern California.
Black Mustard (Brassica nigra)
The story goes that Spanish missionaries cast mustard seed on their way across California to mark their way when they returned in spring. Black mustard invades disturbed sites throughout the Arroyo. It is quite noticeable in the southern part of the watershed, where it colors the hills of Northeast Los Angeles yellow every spring. This prolific annual is allelopathic, changing the soil chemistry around it to inhibit the germination of other species. Black mustard invasion can lead to more frequent fires and convert threatened, native ecosystems such as coastal sage scrub and chaparral to annual grasslands.
Tocalote (Centaurea melitensis)
Tocalote is a winter annual with sharp thorns that hikers in the mountainous upper watershed may know all too well. It displaces native plant populations, and as with other Centaurea species, ingestion over time causes Chewing Disease in horses.
Poison Hemlock (Conium maculatum)
Poison hemlock can commonly be found along Arroyo trails. It is highly competitive with native plants and can dispace them. The lacy leaves bare a strong resemblence to carrot greens, but this plant is severely toxic to people and animals.
Pampasgrass (Cortaderia selloana)
Pampasgrass is a large bunchgrass that was introduced in the 19th century as an ornamental. In 1946, the Soil Conservation Service planted it throughout our region for erosion control and to supplement dryland forage. It has since spread beyond its intended landscapes through vegetative reproduction and the dispersal of large amounts of seed by the wind. It is a particular concern in coastal Southern California, but plants can be found on hillsides along the Arroyo in Pasadena.
Cape Ivy (Delairea odorata)
Cape ivy was brought to California in the 1950s as a landscape ornamental. It is a highly invasive branching vine that covers other vegetation. It blocks sunlight and smothers plants, and has been known to pull down trees under its weight. Cape ivy infestation significantly reduces biodiversity, particulary among native annuals. Removal is made challenging since the plant can reproduce vegatatively from almost any part.
Common Fig (Ficus carica)
Popularly grown for their fruit, escaped fig trees are not uncommon in the Arroyo's soft bottom stretches. The deeply lobed leaves of this large shrub make it indentifiable from a distance.
French Broom (Genista monspessulana)
French broom is a tall, upright shrub that was brought to California as a landscape ornmental along with Spanish and Scotch brooms. It produces large amounts of seed and forms dense patches that displace native species and increase fire risk. It can be found along soft-bottom streches of the Arroyo, including Flint Wash, Brookside Park, and the Central Arroyo.
Tree Tobacco (Nicotiana glauca)
Introduced to California 100 years ago, tree tobacco is commonly found in disturbed sites throughout the Arroyo such as roadsides and streambeds. Presence of the toxic alkaloid anabasine makes ingestion of the leaves potentially fatal.
Fountain Grass (Pennisetum setaceum)
Fountain grass is a popular ornamental. It spreads vigorously and can be found in a variety of disturbed habitats. It is well adapted to fire and will completely take over burnt areas.
Castorbean (Ricinis communis)
Castorbean, another escaped ornamental, is large shrub that is common on disturbed sites in the Arroyo. The shiny, attractive seeds may be appealing to children, but be careful: high levels of ricin make this plant leathally toxic if ingested, and handling it may cause dermatitis.
Spanish broom (Spartium junceum)
Distinct from other brooms with its rush-like form and large, fragrant flowers, this highly invasive shrub forms stands that displace all other species. From a distance, it may resemble scale broom (Lepidospartum squamatum), a local native species indicative of rare and endangered alluvial fan sage scrub habitat.
Tamarisk (Tamarix ramosissima)
Tamarisk, or saltcedar, is an early European introduction to California. Known to be a particular problem in the desert riparian ecosystems of the Colorado and Mojave Rivers, it has also been found in the upper mountanous canyons of the Arroyo Seco Watershed down into Hahamongna. Saltcedar is known to increase soil salinty around it, and large stands can impact groundwater.
Periwinkle (Vinca major)
Periwinkle's bright blue flowers make it an attractive groundcover in many gardens. Unfortunately, this sprawling vine will dominate and choke out native vegetation once established in the wild. Vast swaths can be found near soft bottom stretches of the Arroyo, and pieces of vine caught in the current will take root downstream.
Mexican Fan Palm (Washingtonia robusta)
While historically associated with our region, palm trees are in fact not native to coastal Southern California. Stormdrains carry seeds from streets and gardens to streambeds, where they sprout and push out native vegetation. Dead fronds can accumulate and create a fire risk.