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Chinaberry Tree  Melia azedarach	
	
	
	
Grows fast! Soft wood makes them fall over and clutter site with limbs. Chinaberry’s 
produce a large seed crop each year. Often confused with native western soapberry. 
Major pest in aquatic ecosystems. Escaped from residential landscapes. Texas 
Dept. of Agriculture has recently added to official state invasive species list.
Himalayas / Asia  •  Height - Up to 45 ft  •  Perennial
Johnsongrass  Sorghum halepense		
	
	
	
This tall and stragly-looking grass was first brought over from the Mediterranean as a gift to a 
plantation owner in Mississippi just 150 years ago. He liked it, and established it on his land where 
it grew thick and fast. From there, it has spread all over the southeastern quadrant of the United 
States and can be found in spots as far west as Texas and even California. It thrives on any 
patch of disturbed soil it can find, whether plowed or bulldozed or just overworked. A single plant 
produces up to 5,000 seeds per year, and those seeds can lie dormant in the ground for up to 
twenty years to come. This perennial grass has fleshy rhizomes that easily break into live pieces 
of viable roots, rendering persistant mechanical removal extremely necessary. Make sure to get all 
fleshy rhizomes. Read more about Mr. Johnson's Curse at www.seedsource.com.
Africa / Asia  •  Height - Up to 6 ft  •  Perennial
King Ranch Bluestem  Bothriochloa ischaemum	
	
Also known as yellow bluestem, this grass spreads through prolific seed production and rhizomes. 
Introduced to Texas via the King Ranch (KR) in an effort to stabilize sand dunes. This grass 
makes up to 9 seed crops per year. Fast growing, dense, short vegetation prevents other warm 
season native grasses from getting a foothold. Seeds move around in the wind and animal fur. 
Likes disturbed areas. Becomes more aggressive with mowing. It is often found growing in mixed 
colonies with cane bluestem, Bothriochloa barbinodis a native species of the same genus. This 
is the key to management. These two species thrive under the same conditions and fill the same 
niches. Use tomahawk. Prescribed fire in summer followed by drouthy conditions can provide up 
to 85% reduction in population.
Photo from Parque Isabela, 
Christopher Columbus' first homesite 
in Dominican Republic
Asia  •  Height - Up to 2.5 ft  •  Warm-Season Perennial
Musk Thistle  Carduus nutans	
	
	
	
	
    
Also called nodding thistle. Musk thistle is prickly all over—not to be confused with the 
beautiful non-prickly native American basketflower. Introduced in the early part of the 
century it is now wide spread. Forms extremely dense stands which crowd out desirable 
natives. Seeds have fluffy plumes and are easily distributed by wind. To eradicate, chop 
below bottom leaves before seedhead forms. Identify young seedlings by lobed wavy 
margins on leaves with yellow spines. Normally flowers in mid-summer. Seeds often 
found in cool-season cover crops. Caution to purchase only clean seed mixes. 
Europe / Asia  •  Height - Up to 6 ft  •  Cool-Season Annual
More Common Non-Native Weeds

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