Every year the Georgia Forestry Commission (GFC) comes out with a dirty dozen list. This list contains 12 nonnative invasive plants in Georgia. The plants are ranked by the number of acres that they occupy in the state. Let’s go through the list and talk about which ones are prevalent here.
Number one on the list is nonnative privet. Privet is found in many places. It is a voracious grower. It’s in the olive family so in the spring it will have small white flowers with four petals. The seed is spread by wildlife. You’ll often see it on the edge of wooded areas because it needs at least partial sun to grow.
Number 2 is Nepalese browntop. Some people call this one Japanese stiltgrass. This one is a big concern in the mountains. It is a concern here because it is capable of growing in shaded areas. This means that it has the potential to take over clearings in the woods. In the woods it may not be noticed as often because it a grass and grows on the forest floor.
Number 3 is chinaberry. This is an ornamental tree. It is poisonous to humans, some livestock, and pets. I have not seen much of it in the mountains.
Number 4 is nonnative lespedeza. Lespedeza has been used food plots and erosion control. DOTs will sometimes use it on steep roadside banks. It does have high forage quality. I have not seen a lot of this one around here.
Number 5 is kudzu. Kudzu is a vine that grows over trees, choking them out. Killing kudzu is not an easy task, it takes persistence. You can often see kudzu while driving down the road. It will take over entire stands of trees. Originally, it was brought to the U.S. for erosion control.
Number 6 is Chinese tallowtree. It is a fast growing tree planted for ornamental use. The leaves and fruit are toxic to humans and cattle. It produces up to 100,000 seeds in a year that birds spread.
Number 7 is Japanese climbing fern. This plant spreads by spores. It is capable of climbing trees and covering them, similar to kudzu. This is another one that I haven’t seen.
Number 8 is nonnative olive, which includes autumn olive. We have autumn olive. It produces small red berries with grey specks. The underside of the leaves are a silvery white color. This plant is also able to outcompete native plants.
Number 9 is English ivy. English ivy is planted around homes as a ground cover. It readily spreads beyond where it’s planted. Some alternatives for ground cover are Canadian wild ginger and Appalachian Barren Strawberry.
Number 10 is mimosa. Mimosa is often seen along roadsides. When it’s in bloom, you can easily identify it by its fluffy pink flowers.
Number 11 is trifoliate orange. This is a new entry to the dirty dozen list. It is also called hardy orange. It is in the citrus family and is able to survive our cold temperatures unlike other citrus. Usually it is used as an ornamental for hedges. The fruit on it is extremely sour and full of seeds, so it’s not very edible.
Number 12 is wisteria. Wisteria is common around Atlanta, but I have not seen very much here. It grows similar to kudzu, with beautiful purple flowers. There is a native alternative for wisteria.
If you have questions about identifying or controlling any of the dirty dozen contact your local Extension Office or email me at Jacob.Williams@uga.edu.