Many of these are very invasive here in California. I have none of them in my garden. Privet is widely sold, planted and is seeding everywhere. Lantana is common in the trade but little else on the list. Arundo donax is a huge problem in waterways and marshes, choking out native vegetation. Cheers, Bracey San Jose CA -----Original Message----- From: pbs-bounces@lists.ibiblio.org [mailto:pbs-bounces@lists.ibiblio.org] On Behalf Of James Waddick Sent: Sunday, August 02, 2009 8:18 AM To: pbs@lists.ibiblio.org Subject: [pbs] Invasive species Dear Friends, Just a bit of related info. A New York Times article lead me to a list of "100 of the World's Worst Invasive Alien Species" according to the IUCN's Invasive Species Specialist Group reported at: http://k-state.edu/withlab/consbiol/… The list includes algae, fish, invertebrates and the following 32 Land Plants: African tulip tree (Spathodea campanulata) black wattle (Acacia mearnsii) Brazilian pepper tree (Schinus terebinthifolius) cogon grass (Imperata cylindrica) cluster pine (Pinus pinaster) erect pricklypear (Opuntia stricta) fire tree (Myrica faya) giant reed (Arundo donax) gorse (Ulex europaeus) hiptage (Hiptage benghalensis) Japanese knotweed (Fallopia japonica) Kahili ginger (Hedychium gardnerianum) Koster's curse (Clidemia hirta) kudzu (Pueraria montana var. lobata) lantana (Lantana camara) leafy spurge (Euphorbia esula) leucaena (Leucaena leucocephala) melaleuca (Melaleuca quinquenervia) mesquite (Prosopis glandulosa) miconia (Miconia calvescens) mile-a-minute weed (Mikania micrantha) mimosa (Mimosa pigra) privet (Ligustrum robustum) pumpwood (Cecropia peltata) purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria) quinine tree (Cinchona pubescens) shoebutton ardisia (Ardisia elliptica) Siam weed (Chromolaena odorata) strawberry guava (Psidium cattleianum) tamarisk (Tamarix ramosissima) wedelia (Sphagneticola trilobata) yellow Himalayan raspberry (Rubus ellipticus) The point of this is a question. How many of these "World's Worst" do you grow in your garden and how many are sold in your local garden centers? I grow Arundo donax, Fallopia japonica,and Lythrum salicaria, but all as selected cultivars. A few others turn up in garden centers during the season. Just for your info. Best Jim W. -- Dr. James W. Waddick 8871 NW Brostrom Rd. Kansas City Missouri 64152-2711 USA Ph. 816-746-1949 Zone 5 Record low -23F Summer 100F +