The Cal-IPC Invasive Plant Inventory (also known as "The Weed List") highlights non-native plants that are serious problems in native ecosystems, including parks, reserves, wildlife areas, national forests, as well as working landscapes such as rangelands.  The list is based on information submitted by land managers, botanists, and researchers throughout the state, and on published sources.  The current version of the Cal-IPC List, "Exotic Pest Plants of Greatest Ecological Concern in California," was published in 1999.

An updated revision will be published in 2005, with more detailed information on invasive species' impacts and distribution, more transparent criteria for the rating system, and more thorough documentation for each assessment. The list revision uses Plant Assessment Forms (PAFs) with 13 criteria to rate each species. One important feature of these assessments is that they compile scientific literature, technical reports and other "gray" literature, and observational data into one comprehensive form. We are taking comments on completed PAFs until September 1, 2005.

Besides indicating which species invade wildlands in California, the Invasive Plant Inventory serves as a tool for management and education, including:

• Helping land managers prioritize control efforts,
• Notifying weed workers of "Red Alert" species that are just beginning to invade California
• Identifying research gaps
• Serving as a first step in Cal-IPC's efforts to update distribution information on invasive plants
• Educating home gardeners and members of the horticultural community on the effects of garden plants that escape into wildlands

Submit your comments on the 2005 Invasive Plant Inventory Revision by September 1. The updated list will be distributed to Cal-IPC members and announced at the Cal-IPC Symposium in October.

Invasive Plant Inventory Revision (2005)

Exotic Pest Plants of Greatest Ecological Concern in California (1999)

Information on the Revision Methods

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California Invasive Plant Council
1442-A Walnut St., #462
Berkeley, CA 94709
(510) 843-3902
fax (510) 217-3500

info@cal-ipc.org