Plants

Shortgrass Prairie

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Identification Tools

The following are plant species that are considered invasive to Nebraska, and present specifically in the Shortgrass Prairie Ecoregion. This includes the counties of Banner, Box Butte, Chase, Cheyenne, Dawes, Deuel, Dundy, Keith, Kimball, Morrill, Perkins, Scotts Bluff, and Sioux.

Click any photo below to learn more about these species and what you can do to help.

Future Invasive Plants

Species not known to exist in each ecoregion, but pose a significant risk if introduced

Priority Invasive Plants

Species are top priority for eradication for new and existing populations

State Noxious Weed

The term "noxious" means to be harmful or destructive, and is the legal term used to denote a destructive or harmful pest for the purpose of regulation. When a specific pest is determined to pose a serious threat to the economic, social, or aesthetic well-being of the residents of the state, it may be declared noxious by the Director of the Nebraska Department of Agriculture. Landowners can face fines if a noxious weed is not controlled on their property.

County Noxious Weed

The term "noxious" means to be harmful or destructive, and is the legal term used to denote a destructive or harmful pest for the purpose of regulation. When a specific pest is determined to pose a serious threat to the economic, social, or aesthetic well-being of the residents of the state, it may be declared noxious by the Director of the Nebraska Department of Agriculture. Landowners can face fines if a noxious weed is not controlled on their property.

Established Invasive Plants

Species are established and prevention of spread to new areas is a priority

Absinth Wormwood

Absinth Wormwood

Artemisia absinthium L.

Perennial forb found in roadsides that can spread from infested hay onto farmsteads.

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Mixedgrass Prairie
Priority for Reporting
Shortgrass Prairie
Priority for Reporting
Sandhills
Priority for Reporting
Tallgrass Prairie
Priority for Reporting
Autumn Olive

Autumn Olive

Elaeagnus umbellata

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Mixedgrass Prairie
Established in Nebraska
Tallgrass Prairie
Established in Nebraska
Sandhills
Established in Nebraska
Shortgrass Prairie
Established in Nebraska
Brittle Naiad

Brittle Naiad

Najas minor

Thick infestations of can inhibit the growth of native aquatic vegetation and make fishing and recreational
boating difficult.

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Tallgrass Prairie
Priority for Reporting
Mixedgrass Prairie
Future
Sandhills
Future
Shortgrass Prairie
Future
Canada Thistle

Canada Thistle

Cirsium arvense

Multi-million dollar losses in crop production due to competition. Releases toxic substances into the soil which inhibits growth of some plants.

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Tallgrass Prairie
State Noxious
Mixedgrass Prairie
State Noxious
Sandhills
State Noxious
Shortgrass Prairie
State Noxious
Common Mullein

Common Mullein

Verbascum thapsus

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Shortgrass Prairie
County Noxious
Common Watercress

Common Watercress

Nasturtium officinale

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Tallgrass Prairie
Established in Nebraska
Mixedgrass Prairie
Established in Nebraska
Sandhills
Established in Nebraska
Shortgrass Prairie
Established in Nebraska
Creeping Foxtail

Creeping Foxtail

Alopecurus arundinaceus

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Tallgrass Prairie
Established in Nebraska
Mixedgrass Prairie
Established in Nebraska
Sandhills
Established in Nebraska
Shortgrass Prairie
Established in Nebraska
Crested Wheatgrass

Crested Wheatgrass

Agropyron cristatum and hybrids

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Tallgrass Prairie
Established in Nebraska
Mixedgrass Prairie
Established in Nebraska
Sandhills
Established in Nebraska
Shortgrass Prairie
Established in Nebraska
Downy Brome

Downy Brome

Bromus tectorum

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Tallgrass Prairie
Established in Nebraska
Mixedgrass Prairie
Established in Nebraska
Sandhills
Established in Nebraska
Shortgrass Prairie
Established in Nebraska
Eastern Redcedar

Eastern Redcedar

Juniperus virginiana

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Tallgrass Prairie
Problematic
Mixedgrass Prairie
Problematic
Sandhills
Problematic
Shortgrass Prairie
Problematic
Known
Priority
Eurasian Watermilfoil

Eurasian Watermilfoil

Myriophyllum spicatum

Competes aggressively to displace and reduce the diversity of native aquatic plants.

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Tallgrass Prairie
Priority for Reporting
Mixedgrass Prairie
Priority for Reporting
Sandhills
Priority for Reporting
Shortgrass Prairie
Field Garlic

Field Garlic

Allium vineale

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Tallgrass Prairie
Established in Nebraska
Mixedgrass Prairie
Established in Nebraska
Sandhills
Established in Nebraska
Shortgrass Prairie
Established in Nebraska
Giant Reed

Giant Reed

Arundo donax

Chokes rivers and streams, crowds out native plants and wildlife, and increases fire potential.

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Tallgrass Prairie
Priority for Reporting
Mixedgrass Prairie
Future
Sandhills
Future
Shortgrass Prairie
Future
Giant Salvinia

Giant Salvinia

Salvinia molesta

Poses a serious threat to lakes, ponds, streams, rivers and other freshwater wetlands, and cultivated rice fields.

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Tallgrass Prairie
Future
Mixedgrass Prairie
Future
Sandhills
Future
Shortgrass Prairie
Future
Goatsrue

Goatsrue

Galega officinalis

Forms dense colonies that deter livestock movement. Is toxic to sheep. Competes with native vegetation.

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Tallgrass Prairie
Established in Nebraska
Shortgrass Prairie
Established in Nebraska
Hairy Vetch

Hairy Vetch

Vicia villosa

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Tallgrass Prairie
Established in Nebraska
Mixedgrass Prairie
Established in Nebraska
Sandhills
Established in Nebraska
Shortgrass Prairie
Established in Nebraska
Henbane

Henbane

Hyoscyamus niger

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Shortgrass Prairie
Priority for Reporting
Houndstongue

Houndstongue

Cynoglossum officinale

Can cause skin irritation, gets caught in animal fur, reducing the value of the pelt.

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Tallgrass Prairie
Priority for Reporting
Shortgrass Prairie
County Noxious
Sandhills
County Noxious
Hydrilla

Hydrilla

Hydrilla verticillata

Forms tall and dense stands in the water column, blocking sunlight penetration potentially displacing other aquatic organisms and impeding water flow.

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Tallgrass Prairie
Future
Mixedgrass Prairie
Future
Sandhills
Future
Shortgrass Prairie
Future
Intermediate Wheatgrass

Intermediate Wheatgrass

Thinopyrum intermedium

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Tallgrass Prairie
Established in Nebraska
Mixedgrass Prairie
Established in Nebraska
Sandhills
Established in Nebraska
Shortgrass Prairie
Established in Nebraska
Japanese & Giant Knotweed

Japanese & Giant Knotweed

Fallopia japonica, F. sachalinensis

Spreads rapidly and forms dense, altering habitat for wildlife, increasing the risk of flooding and river bank erosion.

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Tallgrass Prairie
State Noxious
Mixedgrass Prairie
State Noxious
Sandhills
State Noxious
Shortgrass Prairie
State Noxious
Japanese Brome

Japanese Brome

Bromus japonicus

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Tallgrass Prairie
Established in Nebraska
Mixedgrass Prairie
Established in Nebraska
Sandhills
Established in Nebraska
Shortgrass Prairie
Established in Nebraska
Japanese Hops

Japanese Hops

Humulus japonicas

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Tallgrass Prairie
Established in Nebraska
Mixedgrass Prairie
Established in Nebraska
Sandhills
Established in Nebraska
Shortgrass Prairie
Established in Nebraska
Kentucky Bluegrass

Kentucky Bluegrass

Poa pratensis

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Tallgrass Prairie
Established in Nebraska
Mixedgrass Prairie
Established in Nebraska
Sandhills
Established in Nebraska
Shortgrass Prairie
Established in Nebraska
Leafy Spurge

Leafy Spurge

Euphorbia esula

Costs millions of dollars annually due to lost production. Considered toxic to cattle. Establishes quickly and easily and out-competes native vegetation.

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Tallgrass Prairie
State Noxious
Mixedgrass Prairie
State Noxious
Sandhills
State Noxious
Shortgrass Prairie
State Noxious
Medusahead

Medusahead

Taeniatherum caput-medusae (L.) Nevski

Invasive grass species

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Shortgrass Prairie
Future
Multiflora Rose

Multiflora Rose

Rosa multiflora

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Tallgrass Prairie
Established in Nebraska
Mixedgrass Prairie
Established in Nebraska
Sandhills
Established in Nebraska
Shortgrass Prairie
Established in Nebraska
Musk Thistle

Musk Thistle

Carduus nutans

Prolific seed production. Forms dense colonies which reduces yield in forage crops. Competes with native vegetation.

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Tallgrass Prairie
State Noxious
Mixedgrass Prairie
State Noxious
Sandhills
State Noxious
Shortgrass Prairie
State Noxious
Narrow-Leaf Cattail

Narrow-Leaf Cattail

Typha angustifolia

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Tallgrass Prairie
Established in Nebraska
Mixedgrass Prairie
Established in Nebraska
Sandhills
Established in Nebraska
Shortgrass Prairie
Established in Nebraska
Oriental Bittersweet

Oriental Bittersweet

Celastrus orbiculatus

Vigorously growing vine that smothers vegetation. This plant is displacing native American bittersweet through competition and hybridization.

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Tallgrass Prairie
Priority for Reporting
Mixedgrass Prairie
Future
Sandhills
Future
Shortgrass Prairie
Future
Osage Orange

Osage Orange

Maclura pomifera

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Tallgrass Prairie
Established in Nebraska
Mixedgrass Prairie
Established in Nebraska
Sandhills
Established in Nebraska
Shortgrass Prairie
Established in Nebraska
Oxeye Daisy

Oxeye Daisy

Leucanthemum vulgare

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Tallgrass Prairie
Established in Nebraska
Mixedgrass Prairie
Established in Nebraska
Sandhills
Established in Nebraska
Shortgrass Prairie
Established in Nebraska
Established
Palmer Amaranth

Palmer Amaranth

Amaranthus palmeri

Palmer amaranth can be toxic to livestock. It can reduce
corn yields by 91% and soybean yields by 79%.

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Tallgrass Prairie
Established in Nebraska
Mixedgrass Prairie
Established in Nebraska
Sandhills
Established in Nebraska
Shortgrass Prairie
Established in Nebraska
Perennial Pepperweed

Perennial Pepperweed

Lepidium latifolium

Brings salt from deep in the soil to the surface. Grows into dense colonies which reduces habitat for wildlife.

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Sandhills
Established in Nebraska
Shortgrass Prairie
Established in Nebraska
Phragmites Common Reed

Phragmites Common Reed

Phragmites australis

Forms dense stands over very large areas, restricting water movement, trapping sediment and causing changes in water quality.

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Tallgrass Prairie
State Noxious
Mixedgrass Prairie
State Noxious
Sandhills
State Noxious
Shortgrass Prairie
State Noxious
Plumeless Thistle

Plumeless Thistle

Carduus acanthoides

Thousands of dollars lost in Nebraska agricultural production annually. Competes with native vegetation.

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Tallgrass Prairie
State Noxious
Mixedgrass Prairie
State Noxious
Sandhills
State Noxious
Shortgrass Prairie
State Noxious
Purple Loosestrife

Purple Loosestrife

Lythrum salicaria, L. virgatum.

Thousands of dollars lost in Nebraska agricultural production annually. Competes with native vegetation.

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Tallgrass Prairie
State Noxious
Mixedgrass Prairie
State Noxious
Sandhills
State Noxious
Shortgrass Prairie
State Noxious
Quackgrass

Quackgrass

Elymus repens

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Tallgrass Prairie
Established in Nebraska
Mixedgrass Prairie
Established in Nebraska
Sandhills
Established in Nebraska
Shortgrass Prairie
Established in Nebraska
Redtop

Redtop

Agrostis gigantean

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Tallgrass Prairie
Established in Nebraska
Mixedgrass Prairie
Established in Nebraska
Sandhills
Established in Nebraska
Shortgrass Prairie
Established in Nebraska
Russian Knapweed

Russian Knapweed

Acroptilon repens

Forms dense, single species stands over time due to competition and allelopathy; is toxic to horses.

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Tallgrass Prairie
Priority for Reporting
Mixedgrass Prairie
Priority for Reporting
Shortgrass Prairie
Priority for Reporting
Russian Olive

Russian Olive

Elaeagnus angustifolia

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Tallgrass Prairie
Established in Nebraska
Mixedgrass Prairie
Established in Nebraska
Sandhills
Established in Nebraska
Shortgrass Prairie
Established in Nebraska
Saltcedar

Saltcedar

Tamarix ramosissima

Pulls heavy amounts of water from the soil with long taproot; competes with native vegetation; standing vegetation can increase risk of fire.

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Tallgrass Prairie
State Noxious
Mixedgrass Prairie
State Noxious
Sandhills
State Noxious
Shortgrass Prairie
State Noxious
Saltlover

Saltlover

Halogeton glomeratus

High in oxalates and is a serious health threat to grazing animals, especially sheep.

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Shortgrass Prairie
Established in Nebraska
Scotch Thistle

Scotch Thistle

Onopordum acanthium

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Sandhills
County Noxious
Shortgrass Prairie
County Noxious
Sericea Lespedeza

Sericea Lespedeza

Lespedeza cuneata

Seeds remain viable for up to 20 years, contains dyes that reduce forage value and aggressively competes with native vegetation.

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Tallgrass Prairie
State Noxious
Mixedgrass Prairie
State Noxious
Sandhills
State Noxious
Shortgrass Prairie
State Noxious
Siberian Elm

Siberian Elm

Ulmus pumila

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Tallgrass Prairie
Established in Nebraska
Mixedgrass Prairie
Established in Nebraska
Sandhills
Established in Nebraska
Shortgrass Prairie
Established in Nebraska
Smooth Brome

Smooth Brome

Bromus inermis

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Tallgrass Prairie
Established in Nebraska
Mixedgrass Prairie
Established in Nebraska
Sandhills
Established in Nebraska
Shortgrass Prairie
Established in Nebraska
Spotted & Diffuse Knapweed

Spotted & Diffuse Knapweed

Centaurea biebersteinii, Centaurea diffusa

Allelopathic chemicals affect other plants. Establishes readily on disturbed ground, decreases forage production for livestock.

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Tallgrass Prairie
State Noxious
Mixedgrass Prairie
State Noxious
Sandhills
State Noxious
Shortgrass Prairie
State Noxious
Tall Fescue

Tall Fescue

Festuca arundinacea

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Tallgrass Prairie
Established in Nebraska
Mixedgrass Prairie
Established in Nebraska
Sandhills
Established in Nebraska
Shortgrass Prairie
Established in Nebraska
Tall Wheatgrass

Tall Wheatgrass

Thinopyrum ponticum

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Tallgrass Prairie
Established in Nebraska
Mixedgrass Prairie
Established in Nebraska
Sandhills
Established in Nebraska
Shortgrass Prairie
Established in Nebraska
Tatarian Honeysuckle

Tatarian Honeysuckle

Lonicera tatarica

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Tallgrass Prairie
Established in Nebraska
Mixedgrass Prairie
Established in Nebraska
Sandhills
Established in Nebraska
Shortgrass Prairie
Established in Nebraska
Tree-of-Heaven

Tree-of-Heaven

Ailanthus altissima

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Tallgrass Prairie
Established in Nebraska
Mixedgrass Prairie
Established in Nebraska
Sandhills
Established in Nebraska
Shortgrass Prairie
Established in Nebraska
Ventenata

Ventenata

Ventenata dubia

A nonnative, annual grass

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Shortgrass Prairie
Future
Water Hyacinth

Water Hyacinth

Eichhornia spp.

Rapidly grows/spreads, seen as dense floating mats on the water which restricts light for organisms below, inhibits recreational activities.

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Tallgrass Prairie
Future
Mixedgrass Prairie
Future
Sandhills
Future
Shortgrass Prairie
Future
White Mulberry

White Mulberry

Morus alba

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Tallgrass Prairie
Established in Nebraska
Mixedgrass Prairie
Established in Nebraska
Sandhills
Established in Nebraska
Shortgrass Prairie
Established in Nebraska
Woolyleaf Bursage

Woolyleaf Bursage

Ambrosia grayi

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Shortgrass Prairie
County Noxious
Yellow Flag Iris

Yellow Flag Iris

Iris pseudacorus

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Tallgrass Prairie
Priority for Reporting
Mixedgrass Prairie
Priority for Reporting
Sandhills
Priority for Reporting
Shortgrass Prairie
Priority for Reporting