Problem Plants of Ohio

E. Griffiths Megan

Description

A guide to identification and control of invasive plants Problem Plants of Ohio is an informative guide, providing information on the identification and control of nonnative plant species formally listed as invasive or prohibited noxious weeds in Ohio. In addition, the book treats many additional species that are considered a nuisance in gardens, landscaping, or natural settings.The book includes more than 900 photographs of diagnostic features to aid in the identification of 148 plant species. The accompanying text details the origin of the species' introduction to North America, provides thorough and accessible botanical descriptions, explains the economic and environmental impacts of each species, and includes basic information on control measures. The authors also include suggestions for native alternatives to use in gardens in place of problematic horticultural species.The first book of this kind written specifically about the state, Problem Plants of Ohio presents new research on the change in nonnative species over time and discusses how climate change will further exacerbate the issue of invasive species. It includes current distribution maps for each plant species.A useful resource for master gardeners, landscapers, farmers, academics, and natural areas managers, Problem Plants of Ohio will be of interest to nonspecialists as well.

Sujets

• Sciences et techniques

Informations

• Publié par: The Kent State University Press
• Date de parution: 08 décembre 2020
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9781631014154
• Langue: English
• Poids de l'ouvrage: 10 Mo

Extrait

Problem Plants of Ohio
Problem Plants of Ohio
Megan E. Griffiths, Melissa A. Davis, and David Ward
The Kent State University Press
Kent, Ohio
© 2020 by The Kent State University Press
All rights reserved
Library of Congress Catalog Number 2020027331
ISBN 978-1-60635-402-5
Manufactured in Korea
No part of this book may be used or reproduced, in any manner whatsoever, without written permission from the Publisher, except in the case of short quotations in critical reviews or articles.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Names: Griffiths, Megan E., author. | Davis, Melissa A., author. | Ward, David (Herrick Chair of Plant Biology), author.
Title: Problem plants of Ohio / Megan E. Griffiths, Melissa A. Davis, David Ward.
Description: Kent, Ohio : The Kent State University Press, [2020] | Includes bibliographical references and index.
Identifiers: LCCN 2020027331 | ISBN 9781606354025 (hardback) | ISBN 9781631014154 (epub)
Subjects: LCSH: Invasive plants--Ohio--Identification.
Classification: LCC SB613.5 .G58 2020 | DDC 333.95/3309771--dc23
LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2020027331
24 23 22 21 20 5 4 3 2 1
Contents
       Introduction
     1  Grasses
     2  Forbs
     3  Creepers and Climbers
     4  Shrubs
     5  Trees
     6  Aquatic and Wetland Plants
Acknowledgments
Appendix A Plant Species Designated as Invasive in Ohio
Appendix B Ohio Invasive Plants Council Plant Assessment Results
Appendix C Plant Species Designated as Prohibited Noxious Weeds in Ohio
Appendix D Herbicides
Appendix E Additional Synonyms of Scientific Names for Problem Plant Species
Glossary
Online Resources
Bibliography
Index
Introduction
Nonnative Plant Species and Problem Plants
There are many terms used to describe plant species occurring outside of their native ranges— introduced, alien, exotic, nonindigenous, nonnative —all of which indicate that these plant species have been moved out of the ecosystems in which they evolved. The introduction of non-native plants to new ranges is almost always the result of human activity, whether intentional or unintentional. European settlers brought many plants to North America for use as food or medicine or for fiber production, forage, erosion control, or ornamental purposes. Other introductions have been accidental, through contamination of agricultural and nursery seed or the transfer of seeds or other reproductive plant parts (such as rhizomes) in ship ballast or packing material.
We examined data from the seven catalogs of vascular plants that have been compiled for the state of Ohio, as well as from comprehensive county and regional assessments ( Fig. 1 ). Examining these historic records makes it clear that there has been a steady increase in the number of nonnative plant species in Ohio since the first records were made in 1840. At the time of the most recent statewide survey of vascular plants, Cooperrider, Cusick, and Kartesz (2001) found that there were 2,716 plant species growing in Ohio. Of these, 931 (34%) of the species were identified as nonnative. That represents a profound change in the composition of the flora in less than 200 years.

Fig. 1. Percentage of plant species classified as nonnative in Ohio, based on surveys for the entire state (in solid points) and counties or regions (in open points). Data were compiled from the seven state floral catalogs (Newberry 1860; Beardslee 1874; Kellerman and Werner 1893; Kellerman 1899; Schaffner 1914; Schaffner 1932; Cooperrider, Cusick, and Kartesz 2001) and county and regional assessments (Sullivant 1840; Selby 1899; Amann 1961; Hawver 1961; Cusick 1967; Anderson 1969; Silberhorn 1970; Weishaupt 1971; Wilson 1974; Pusey 1976; Cline 1977; Andreas 1980; Burns 1980; Emmitt 1981; Andreas 1989; Curtis 1996; Davis 2012).
It is important to emphasize that not all nonnative species are equally problematic. Most have limited environmental impact aside from occupying space that might otherwise support native vegetation. In fact, many nonnative plants are economically important or even vital to our food supply. The majority of plant species used in agriculture or horticulture do not spread beyond the area where they have been planted. However, some nonnative plant species do escape cultivation and grow out of control. When nonnative plant species establish in natural areas and cause significant economic or environmental harm, they are called invasive.
Invasive plant species have profound negative effects on ecosystems by displacing native plant species, affecting wildlife that rely on native plant communities, and forming monocultures that reduce biological diversity overall. Because of this, invasive plant species are regulated at both the state and federal level in the United States. In Ohio, the Department of Agriculture (ODA) is the legal authority that controls invasive plant species. The ODA has developed a list of 38 species designated as invasive plants in the state, and regulation of these species went into effect in January 2018 (ODA 901:5–30–01, Invasive Plant Species, available in appendix A of this volume [ pp. 356–357 ]). All of the invasive species on this list cannot legally be sold, propagated, or distributed in Ohio. The ODA invasive species list is reviewed and updated every five years. In addition to this governmental regulation, the Ohio Invasive Plants Council (OIPC)—an independent coalition of agencies, organizations, and individuals—also helps to identify invasive plants and assesses their invasiveness using rigorous scientific methods. The OIPC list, available at the organization’s website, is updated continually and should be consulted regularly to stay current as assessments are completed ( https://www.oipc.info/assessment-results.html ). We include the results of their plant assessments in appendix B [ pp. 358–360 ].
There are also many plant species that cause significant economic harm in agricultural systems. These species are typically designated as prohibited noxious weeds at the state or federal level; see the US Department of Agriculture’s Animal Health and Plant Inspection Service website for information ( https://www.aphis.usda.gov ). Under state or federal law, these species cannot be planted, sold, or transported, and they cannot be present as contaminants in seed sold for agricultural purposes. In almost all cases, prohibited noxious weeds are nonnative species, although there are a few exceptions, such as Conyza canadensis (marestail) [ pp. 104–105 ], which is native to much of North America, including Ohio. As with invasive species, the ODA designates prohibited noxious weeds in the state and this list is reviewed and updated every five years. The ODA updated the prohibited noxious weed list for Ohio in September 2018 (ODA 901:5–37–01; appendix C [ pp. 361–362 ]).
In this book, we provide species accounts for all plant species designated as invasive by the ODA and the OIPC, all designated prohibited noxious weeds in Ohio (with the exception of seven species that were added to the list after the book was completed; these are indicated in appendix C [ pp. 361–362 ]), and all federal noxious weeds that occur in Ohio. We have also included additional nonnative species that are commonly found growing as nuisance weeds in gardens, landscaping, and lawns. Most plants that fall under this last category tend to occur in highly disturbed human habitats and do not spread readily into natural areas. Collectively, all of these species are considered problem plants. We stress that any plants included in this book that do not have the designation of OIPC invasive, ODA invasive, or prohibited noxious weed should not be considered—or referred to as—invasive. They are merely aggressive species or those with weedy tendencies that we have observed to grow beyond cultivated areas.
Nonnative problem plant species have both direct and indirect effects on ecosystems. The most obvious is the replacement of diverse native plant communities by stands of a single invasive species. Many problem plants are successful invaders because they outcompete native species for resources such as water, nutrients, and sunlight. Some are hosts for pathogens, making them sources of disease for economically important plants like food crops. Others are allelopathic: they produce chemicals that are released into the soil and inhibit the growth of other plant species. Still others can alter fire regimes, hydrologic conditions, or soil chemistry. Some species, such as Phalaris arundinacea (reed canary grass) [ pp. 46–47 ], produce large amounts of leaf litter that suppress the growth of native species. Species such as Conium maculatum (poison hemlock) [ pp. 73–74 ] or Euphorbia esula (leafy spurge) [ pp. 139–141 ] are toxic to livestock and degrade rangelands and pastures. Collectively, the economic damage caused by nonnative plant species in the United States is estimated to be $28 billion annually (Pimentel 2011). Because of these ecological and economic costs, it is important to be able to identify and control nonnative plant species.
This book is intended as a resource for anyone wanting to learn more about the plant species that are problems in Ohio. We have included distribution maps showing the counties for which there are records of each species being present. The problem plant species have been organized in chapters according to growth form or habitat (“Grasses,” “Forbs,” “Creepers and Climbers,” “Shrubs,” “Trees,” and “Aquatic and Wetland Plants”) and then alphabetically by family so related species are grouped together. To help with identification, each species has a full description and images. We have tried to limit the botanical terminology, and we have included a glossary to help define those terms that cannot be avoided. Each species description also includes a brief suggestion of control methods.
Where Do Nonnative Invasive Plants Come From