Invasive Plants with Biocontrol
The table below lists invasive plant species and their biological control agents. Note that this is not a comprehensive list of all the invasive plants known in the province. For more in-depth information on invasive plant species in BC, please visit Weeds BC.
For a complete list and information on all the biological control agents that are currently available for distribution in BC, visit our Bioagents Available for Redistribution page.
Jump to any of the following plants:
Clicking a thumb-nail image in the table will open the image in a separate window at its actual size
| Black Knapweed |
Centaurea nigra L. |
Family: Asteraceae |
|
Black knapweed is a perennial with branching stems growing 20 - 80 cm tall. Plants reproduce
from a woody root crown and lateral roots. Prostrate growing stems may develop roots at their
nodes when they come in contact with moist soils. Broad basal leaves have stalks and shallow
lobes. Stem leaves are clasping and progressively become smaller towards the top of the plant.
Rose to lavender coloured flowers appear from July to October. The round, broad blooms are
produced individually at stem tips and measure 1.3 cm tall by 1 cm wide. Overlapping, fringed,
comb-like bracts are dark brown or black and bare a likeness to "ticks". About 60 ivory, linear-striped
seeds, 4 mm long with short pappus are produced in each head.
|
Biocontrol agents available for distribution:
None |
Primary biocontrol agents
(unavailable for distribution at this time):
Urophora jaceana - Fly |
| Brown Knapweed |
Centaurea jacea L. |
Family: Asteraceae |
|
Brown knapweed is a perennial that grows from a woody rootstock and reproduces strictly
from seeds. Plants grow 60 - 120 cm tall, with branching occurring towards the upper 1/3 of
the plant. Basal leaves are 15.2 cm long x 4 cm wide and are broadest in the middle and taper
at both ends. Lance shaped, clasping stem leaves gradually become smaller towards the top and
have shallow lobes and fine-toothed or smooth margins. Rose-purple coloured flowers appear
from July to October, and are most abundant in August. On rare occasions the flowers can be
white. Broad, oval, 2.5 cm flowers are produced singly at the top of branched stems. Overlapping
bracts are dark brown with broad, thin, papery margins that appear ragged or torn. Light brown
seeds that are 4 mm long have lengthwise ridges or lines. "Pappus" appears small and scale-like.
|
Biocontrol agents available for distribution:
None |
Primary biocontrol agents
(unavailable for distribution at this time):
Urophora jaceana - Fly |
| Bull Thistle |
Cirsium vulgare |
Family: Asteraceae |
A biennial, spreading by wind-borne seed. It forms a large, flat rosette with a long, fleshy
tap root in the first year, and produces a 0.3-1.5m bolt in the second year. The stems are
spiny winged and slightly woolly. Leaves are alternate, deeply lobed, with each lobe ending
in a long sharp spine up to 1 cm long. The upper leaf surface is deep green and has sharp prickles,
while the lower surface is white with small white hairs. Purple flower heads, 3.8-7.8 cm in
diameter, occur throughout the summer.
|
| Canada Thistle |
Cirsium arvense |
Family: Asteraceae |
A perennial, spreading by seeds and a horizontal creeping root system. Stems are erect,
up to 1.2 m tall, with alternate leaves, 4-21 cm long, divided into deep, irregular, spiny
lobes. The leaves are dark green and shiny on the surface with white hairs underneath. Flowers
form in clusters on small heads and are rose-purple, pink or sometimes white. Flowering occurs
throughout the summer.
|
| Dalmatian Toadflax |
Linaria dalmatica (L.) Mill. |
Family: Scrophulariaceae |
A perennial, spreading by seeds and creeping root stock. Numerous light-green, smooth stems,
60-120 cm tall, are produced on each plant. Leaves are light green, heart shaped, and clasp
the stem.
Roots are large, rough surfaced, and somewhat branching, and may extend 3 m or more.
Buds appear from the lateral roots, producing new top growth at varying intervals. Flowers,
yellow tinged with orange, are "snapdragon" shaped, and up to 4 cm long.
|
| Diffuse Knapweed |
Centaurea diffusa |
Family: Asteraceae |
A biennial to short-lived perennial, spreading primarily by seed dispersed with the movement
of plant material. Stems are 60-90 cm in height with many branches. Leaves are 5-20 cm long,
hairy, and highly divided. Leaves alternate from the stem, with basal leaves forming a rosette.
Flower heads are numerous, urn shaped, and covered with small, narrow bracts ending in sharp,
rigid spines. Flowers are white or occasionally pink or purple. Seeds are black to dark brown,
3mm long, and lack a developed fringe of hairs. Diffuse knapweed contains volatile oils with
a distinctive smell and extremely bitter taste.
|
| Field Bindweed |
Convolvulus arvensis L. |
Family: Convolvulaceae |
Field bindweed is a perennial with branching prostrate stems reaching over 1 meter long. It
grows into a tangled dense groundcover mat or climbs over anything in its vicinity. It reproduces
by seed and root buds. It has an extensive cord-like root system with a tap root that can penetrate
5 m into soils. Leaves are variable in size, arrowhead-shaped with pointed blunt lobes at the
base. The stalked leaves are arranged alternately along counter-clockwise twining stems. Trumpet
or bell-shaped, white and pink flowers measuring 2.5 cm in diameter appear from June to September.
The stalked flowers can be solitary or in groups of 2 - 4. The seedpods have two chambers that
contain up to four smooth, 3 mm pear shaped seeds, which can remain viable for 50 years.
|
| Gorse |
Ulex europaeus |
Family: Fabaceae |
Gorse is a spiny evergreen shrub with a single upright stem, spine-like leaves, and fragrant yellow, pea-like flowers. It thrives on sunny clearings with dry, infertile soil such as sandy or rocky areas, roadsides, fields and pastures, bluffs, etc. Seedpods are hairy and black; maturing seedpods explode and disperse up to 18,000 seeds per mature plant. Gorse seeds are easily distributed by ants, birds and other animals, as well as by machinery.
Gorse can grow 1-3 meters in height at maturity. Growing rapidly for the first 15 years, it can live up to 45 years. Dense patches can hinder re-vegetation of harvested areas and recreational use of land. Gorse can also increase fire hazard as plants contain volatile oils and produce large amounts of litter. Gorse displaces native vegetation, decreasing forage for wildlife and local plant biodiversity. It is known on Vancouver Island, in West Vancouver, some of the Gulf Islands, and Haida G'wai.
|
Biocontrol agents available for distribution:
None |
Primary biocontrol agents
(unavailable for distribution at this time):
Agonopterix nervosa - Moth
|
| Hedge False Bindweed |
Calystegia sepium L.R.Br. |
Family: Convolvulaceae |
Hedge bindweed is a unique type of annual (clonal pseudo-annual) and, therefore, is often
referred to as a perennial. The parent "dies" in the fall, but, prior to dying it produces
rhizomes and seeds that overwinter. The rhizomatous roots are elongated, but, lack underground
stolons. The stems twine, trail or climb to 3 m. Plants in the Convolvulaceae family always
twine from right to left, which is opposite the course of the sun. The leaves are heart or
arrow-shaped with rounded or angled (not pointed) basal lobes. Leaves attach to the stem with
long stalks in an alternate arrangement. The leaves are delicate and thin textured, measuring
5 - 10 cm long and 2.5 - 5 cm wide. Solitary flowers are borne on square stalks from within
the leaf axils. The showy white to deep pink, trumpet shaped flowers are present from July
to September, and measure 4 - 7 cm long. The flowers fully expand during sunny days, but, stay
closed during dull weather. Seeds are produced in 1 cm long capsules which split when mature.
Each capsule contains 2 - 4 seeds, each measuring 5 mm long. The seeds are slightly roughened
and can be dull gray, brown or black coloured. Hedge bindweed is intolerant of shade.
Note - Worldwide there are 25 Calystegia species. In Canada two species are native.
In the United States, 16 of their 17 species are native. The plants morphology is not clear,
but, it is known to readily hybridize. The geographic distributions of the plant species merge
and overlap, making it difficult to divide the subspecies.
|
| Hound's Tongue |
Cynoglossum officinale |
Family: Boraginaceae |
A biennial or short-lived perennial, spreading mainly by seed. Germination of seeds is almost
completely restricted to the spring. A basal rosette of leaves forms in the summer and the
autumn; the size of the rosette determines further development. Those larger than 30 cm in
diameter bolt and flower from May to July of the following year. The inflorescence has up to
23 red-purple flowers. An individual plant can produce up to 4000 large seeds (burs) covered
with barbed spines. The spines aid in dispersal by animals, and are a source of annoyance for
wildlife and livestock, which get the burs caught in their hair and fur. Seeds and plant material
are toxic to livestock.
|
| Leafy Spurge |
Euphorbia esula |
Family: Euphorbiaceae |
A perennial, spreading by seeds and buds on persistent, creeping roots. Stems
are erect, 1 m tall and hairless or with only a few hairs near the top. Plants grow in clumps
forming dense and extensive stands. Stalk-less leaves, 3-7 cm long and less than 5 mm wide,
alternate one per node. A whorl of leaves marks the start of the flowering portion of the stem.
Flower bracts, about 1 cm wide and 1.2 cm long with a sharp point, occur in pairs on flowering
stems. Flowers lack petals and sepals, and are clustered with a pair of surrounding bracts
such that the group resembles a single flower. Seeds are about 2 mm long, smooth, grey to yellow
or brown and usually have a yellow bump near the base. Three seeds are produced per cluster.
All parts of the plant contain a milky-coloured latex juice that can poison livestock and cause
skin irritation on humans.
|
| Marsh Plume Thistle |
Cirsium palustre |
Family: Asteraceae |
A fibrous rooted, biennial herb growing 0.2-2.0 m tall. Stems are erect, slender, ribbed;
sometimes with ascending branches; strongly spiny-winged from the winged leaf bases. Basal
and lower stem leaves are narrowly elliptic. Middle stem leaves and reduced upper ones are
lance shaped and lobed to about half the width of the leaf, with narrow, spine-tipped segments
and winged bases. Leaves are nearly hairless to lightly, soft hairy on the upper surface, and
lightly to densely long-hairy below. Flower heads are disc-shaped, compact purple clusters
terminating the stem or at the ends of branches. Bracts are cobwebby and often sticky. Seeds
are 2.5-3.5 mm long, 1 mm wide, straw-coloured to almost white; with a fringe of hairs 9-10
mm long.
Seeds germinate in early spring (can also germinate as late as October) and rosettes begin
vigorous growth, filling in the surrounding area by summer. Their numerous leaves form disks
that eliminate other species by pressure and shading. Flowering and fruiting occurs the following
year, and mature individuals die.
Note: there could be confusion in identifying marsh thistle from bull thistle.
|
| Meadow Knapweed |
Centaurea debeuxii |
Family: Asteraceae |
Meadow knapweed is a deep rooted perennial that reproduces mainly by seed. Established
plants have a woody crown with clusters of fleshy roots. Seedlings begin with a tap root. Mature
plants reach over 1 m tall, with few to several branching stems. Basal leaves can reach 15
cm long, tapering at either end, the broadest point in the middle. Stem leaves are clasping,
have shallow lobes and are narrower than basal leaves, appearing somewhat lance shaped. Globe
shaped rose-purple flowers, (and occasionally white), 1.3 cm in diameter are produced at the
tips of the upper branches and appear from July to September. The bracts are light or dark
brown with fringed margins and may appear reflective with a golden sheen during flowering.
Meadow knapweed seeds are pale tan, 2 mm long and plumeless. Seeds often have a row of short
hairs. The plant establishes in moist habitats and cool climates in forest openings and near
rivers and streams.
Note: Meadow knapweed is a fertile hybrid of black and brown knapweeds and plants can closely
resemble either parent in a stand.
|
| Nodding Thistle |
Carduus nutans |
Family: Asteraceae |
A herbaceous perennial, or occasionally a winter annual, spreading primarily from wind-dispersed
seed. It forms a large rosette in the first year, then produces flowering bolts, 0.2-2.4 m
tall, with long, fleshy tap roots in the second growth stage. One to seven erect, highly branched
stems form; stems have spiny wings except immediately below the flower head. Leaves in the
basal rosette are elliptic to lance-shaped, 15-30 cm long, and pinnately lobed, with each lobe
ending in a spine. Leaves range from hairless to densely pubescent. Leaves on the stem are
similar but smaller, without lobes, and alternate on the stem. Solitary flower heads, 1.5-4.5
cm in diameter, occur at the ends of branches, usually drooping over (hence "nodding" thistle).
Flowers are tubular, pink to purple (occasionally white) in colour. Flowering occurs from July
to September.
|
| Perennial Sow Thistle |
Sonchus arvensis |
Family: Asteraceae |
Perennial sow-thistle is a herbaceous perennial that reproduces from seed and from an extensive
creeping root system. The roots penetrate down to 3 m, but, most of the system is within the
top 5 - 15 cm of soil. Roots break easily and regenerate from buds. Hollow, erect stems can
reach 0.6 - 1.5 m tall and contain a bitter, milky juice. Stems are non-branching until near
the top. A variety of leaf shapes and sizes are arranged alternately along the stem - upper
leaves are clasping while the lower leaves narrow to a winged stalk. All leaves have deep lobes
and weak prickles along their margins. Bright yellow blossoms appear in June and continue into
September. At peak bloom, each flower can reach 3.8 cm across. A single plant can have as many
as 20 flower heads, but, few come into flower at the same time. It is a prolific seed producer
with about 10,000 seeds produced per flowering stem. The ribbed seeds have attached pappus
which assists with their distribution.
|
Biocontrol agents available for distribution:
None |
Primary biocontrol agents
(unavailable for distribution at this time):
Cystiphora sonchi - leaf-gall fly |
| Plumeless Thistle |
Carduus acanthoides |
Family: Asteraceae |
An annual, winter annual, or biennial spread by seeds. Plants are 20-150 cm tall, generally
smooth or with scattered hairs on stems and leaves. The upper stem is branched, with spiny
wings extending to the flower heads. Mature plants have a well-developed basal rosette of narrow,
oblong to elliptic leaves, deeply lobed; the lobes have one to three points, with each point
ending in a spine. Solitary flower heads, 1.2-1.6 cm in diameter, form at the end of stems
or in clusters on young branches. Flowers are usually purple, but some are white or cream coloured.
Seeds are 2.5-3 mm long, and light brown at maturity.
|
| Puncturevine |
Tribulus terrestris L. |
Family: Zygophyllaceae |
Puncturevine is a herbaceous annual that reproduces by seed. Trailing prostrate stems branch
from the central crown, forming a dense mat up to 2 m across. Stems are green and often tinged
reddish brown. The pinnately compound leaves grow in opposite pairs along the stem. The entire
plant is covered with hairs. Its taproot and network of fine rootlets enable it to withstand
extreme drought. Bright yellow flowers are produced in leaf axils and appear from June to September.
The 1 cm flowers have five petals, appearing similar to buttercup blooms. Seeds are contained
within a circular, spiny "bur-like" seedpod that breaks apart when mature. The pod has five
sections, each with a chamber containing 2 - 4 seeds. Seeds can remain dormant in soil for
up to five years. The pods outer coat has two stout, sharp spines capable of puncturing bicycle
tires and footwear. It is reported to be poisonous to animals causing photosensitivity, however,
it is more likely to pose a threat through injury caused from the spiny seedpods.
Also known as goathead, Mexican sandbur, Texas sandbur.
|
Biocontrol agents available for distribution:
None |
Primary biocontrol agents
(unavailable for distribution at this time):
Microlarinus lareynii - Beetle - weevil |
| Purple Loosestrife |
Lythrum salicaria |
Family: Lythraceae |
A perennial wetland plant, spreading by seed and root stock; floating seedlings are the
main mode of dispersal. Seeds can remain viable in the soil for several years. Mature plants
range between 0.5-2 m high, with a maximum of 30-50 shoots emerging from a common root stock.
Three forms of purple flowers are produced prolifically throughout the summer, occurring in
equal frequency. The profuse, showy flowers have given rise to the plant's use as a garden
ornamental.
|
| Rush Skeletonweed |
Chondrilla juncea |
Family: Asteraceae |
A tap-rooted herbaceous perennial, spreading by rhizomatous lateral roots and
prolific seed production. Plants range from 0.3-1.3 m in height at maturity.
Rosettes develop from root buds in fall; rosette leaves are lance shaped, deeply lobed 1-3
cm wide and 5-12 cm long.
Leaves develop a reddish tinge near the tips during the winter. Multi-branched,
erect stems grow from the root crown in the spring. Stems are pale green, slender, sparsely
leafed, and smooth except for erect, downward-pointing hairs on the lower 5-10 cm. Flower heads
develop along or at the ends of stems, individually or in groups of two tofive. Each flower
head may contain 10-12 bright yellow flowers. Flowering occurs from mid-summer until the first frosts. Stems die back each year.
|
| Russian Knapweed |
Acroptilon repens |
Family: Asteraceae |
A perennial herb spreading by seeds and creeping horizontal roots. Roots are dark brown
or black, scaly, and produce stem buds that develop into leafy shoots. Stems are highly branched,
erect, 2-10 cm high, thin and stiff; young stems are covered with soft grey hairs. Stem leaves
have smooth margins and alternate on the stem; rosette leaves are oblong to lance shaped, with
irregular pinnate lobes (sometimes smooth), 5-10 cm long, and 1-2.5 cm wide. Solitary flower
heads, 15-17 mm in diameter, are surrounded by bracts 12-14 mm long; flower heads are oval,
greenish at the base with a papery, finely haired tip. Plants produce numerous tubular flowers,
10-13 mm long, pink or purple, becoming straw-coloured at maturity. Flowering occurs from July
to September. Seeds are 2-3 mm, grey or ivory in colour, surrounded by a white, deciduous fringe
of hairs (pappus) 1cm long.
|
Biocontrol agents available for distribution:
Puccinia acroptili - fungi
|
Primary biocontrol agents
(unavailable for distribution at this time):
Subanguina picridis - Nematode (gall forming)
|
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Scentless Chamomile
|
Matricaria perforata
|
Family: Asteraceae
|
Scentless chamomile is an annual or short-lived perennial that reproduces from seed. Plants
grow 15 to 100 cm tall, rising from a fibrous taproot. Stem leaves are arranged alternately
and are finely divided, giving the plant an overall fern-like appearance. White, daisy-like
flowers, 18 - 30 mm in diameter, develop singly at the end of long branches. The floral period
starts in mid June and lasts into September. Seeds are 2 mm long, dark brown, with three ribs
on one side and two merging dark lines on the other; pappus is minute or absent. These plants
are prolific seed producers, each capable of producing 10,000 to 200,000 seeds.
Often confused with ox-eye daisy and stinking mayweed.
|
| Scotch Broom |
Cytisus scoparius (L.) Link |
Family: Fabaceae |
Scotch broom is a perennial, evergreen shrub that reproduces by seed. Mature height is
1 - 3 m tall with stiff angled, somewhat erect, dark green branches creating an irregular shape.
Many of the branches are leafless or have few leaves. Upper leaves are simple (single) while
lower are trifoliate (three parts). Forked tap roots enable it to anchor in rocky shorelines
and steep slopes. Bright yellow 2.0 cm pea-like flowers appear from early April through June.
Up to eight brown seeds, 2 - 3 mm long with shiny coats, develop within brown-black pods with
hairy margins. In the soil, seeds can remain viable for 60 years or more. Scotch broom spreads
rapidly in an open canopy along right-of-ways, trails and near streams. It is drought tolerant,
preferring infertile or rocky soils and is well adapted to windy seashore conditions. All parts
of the plant contain small amounts of toxic alkaloids capable of poisoning livestock when consumed.
As with all plants in the Fabaceae family, it too fixes nitrogen, however, the nitrogen does
not become available until after the plant dies.
|
Biocontrol agents available for distribution:
None
|
Primary biocontrol agents
(unavailable for distribution at this time):
Bruchidius villosus - Beetle (weevil)
Exapion fuscirostre - Beetle (weevil)
Aceria genistae - Mite
Agonopterix nervosa - Moth
|
| Spotted Knapweed |
Centaurea biebersteinii |
Family: Asteraceae |
A short-lived perennial, spreading mainly by seed. Mature plants are 0.3-1.5 m tall, with
long, fibrous tap roots. Stems are somewhat hairy when young and highly branched. The basal
and lower stem leaves are pinnately lobed; the upper leaves have smooth margins. Young leaves
have a fine coating of hairs. Flowers are 1-1.5 cm long, pink to purple; bracts of the flower
head are black tipped, giving the head a spotted appearance. Flowering occurs from July through
to September. Seeds are black or brown, 3mm long, and topped with bristles up to half the length
of the seed. The plant contains volatile oils with a distinctive smell and an extremely bitter
taste.
|
| St. John's Wort |
Hypericum perforatum |
Family: Hypericaceae |
A perennial spreading by seeds or short runners. Stems growing to 1 m high, are numerous,
erect, and rust coloured at the base. Leaves are opposite, oval, and attached directly to the
stem; they appear to be perforated with many tiny translucent dots, visible when held up to
a light source. Flowering begins in early summer; flowers are yellow with five separate petals
and numerous stamens arranged in three groups. Rust-brown seed pods, containing numerous seeds,
mature in late summer to early autumn. Germination occurs in the spring. St. John's wort contains
a toxin which, in light-coloured livestock that feed on it, induces photosensitization (skin
is irritated and blisters when exposed to sunlight).
|
| Tansy Ragwort |
Senecio jacobeae |
Family: Asteraceae |
A biennial to short-lived perennial, spreading by prolific seed production (in excess of
150, 000 seeds per plant). A low-growing rosette of leaves is produced in the first year. Erect
stems, 0.3-1.2 m high, are produced in the second and subsequent years. The dark green, stalk-less
leaves are deeply lobed into irregular segments, giving the plant a "ragged" appearance. The
daisy-like, bright yellow flowers are in bloom from July through September. Tansy ragwort is
poisonous to livestock; cattle and horses are most seriously affected, sheep seldom.
|
| Yellow Toadflax |
Linaria vulgaris |
Family: Scrophulariaceae |
A perennial, spreading by creeping roots and seeds. Stems, growing up to 80
cm high, are hairless and usually un-branched. Leaves are numerous, one per node, essentially
stalk-less, and 2-10 cm long by 1-5 mm wide. The leaves are also hairless and usually narrowed
towards the base. Bright yellow "snapdragon" flowers are 2-3.5 cm long on stalks about 5mm
long.
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