The invasive plant list is separated into 4 categories, with one subcategory. Species were ranked by the Georgia Exotic Plant Pest Council members with input from other professionals and land managers. Detailed distribution information does not exist for many of these species, making it difficult to use demonstrable distribution data as a criterion for ranking a species. Efforts are underway to collect this distribution data and future revisions of the Georgia Exotic Plant Pest Council Invasive Species List will incorporate the data.
Category 1 - Exotic plant that is a serious problem in Georgia natural areas by extensively invading native plant communities and displacing native species.
Scientific Name Common Name Ailanthus altissima (P. Mill.) Swingle tree of heaven Albizia julibrissin Durazz. mimosa Alternanthera philoxeroides (Mart.) Griseb. alligatorweed Eichhornia crassipes (Mart.) Solms water hyacinth Elaeagnus umbellata Thunb. autumn olive Hedera helix L. English ivy Hydrilla verticillata (L. f.) Royle hydrilla Lespedeza bicolor Turcz. shrubby lespedeza Lespedeza cuneata (Dum.-Cours.) G. Don sericea lespedeza Ligustrum sinense Lour. Chinese privet Lonicera japonica Thunb. Japanese honeysuckle Lygodium japonicum (Thunb. ex Murr.) Sw. Japanese climbing fern Melia azedarach L. chinaberry Microstegium vimineum (Trin.) A. Camus Nepalese browntop Murdannia keisak (Hassk.) Hand.-Maz. marsh dewflower Paulownia tomentosa (Thunb.) Sieb. & Zucc. ex Steud. princesstree Pueraria montana (Lour.) Merr. kudzu Rosa multiflora Thunb. ex Murr. multiflora rose Triadica sebifera (L.) Small Chinese tallowtree Wisteria sinensis (Sims) DC. Chinese wisteria
Category 1 Alert - Exotic plant that is a not yet a serious problem in Georgia natural areas, but that has significant potential to become a serious problem.
Scientific Name Common Name Achyranthes japonica (Miq.) Nakai Japanese chaff flower Alliaria petiolata (Bieb.) Cavara & Grande garlic mustard Arthraxon hispidus (Thunb.) Makino small carpgrass Celastrus orbiculatus Thunb. oriental bittersweet Imperata cylindrica (L.) Beauv. cogongrass Paederia foetida L. skunk vine Polygonum cuspidatum Siebold & Zucc. Japanese knotweed Salvinia molesta D. S. Mitchell giant salvinia