Custom Species Lists
Invasive species (those which are not native to the region and are known to cause harm) and non-native species both threaten the integrity of the Puget Sound ecosystem. Non-native species have the potential to become invasive, and preventing their introduction to the Sound is better than the costly and difficult work of removing them once they become established. Invasive species utilize resources which are vital to the survival of native species, and may outcompete or even feed on indigenous plants and animals, driving them towards extinction. Invasive species also may introduce disease and parasites, alter habitat, and breed with native species, diluting their genetic material. The Puget Sound Partnership states that aquatic nuisance species are the second greatest threat to Puget Sound biodiversity, after habitat loss.
These lists of invasive and nonnative species come from multiple sources (listed below), and are as current as possible. However, the status of these species in the Puget Sound region is subject to change, and many efforts are underway to eradicate harmful populations.
Noxious weeds in Washington State: Noxious Weed Control Board
Invasive Freshwater Species: USGS
Invasive Marine Species: National Exotic Marine and Estuarine Information System (NEMESIS)
Invasive Insects and Land Invertebrates: Looney, Chris, Eric LaGasa and Todd Murray. Exotic Pest Detection in Washington State: How Alert Citizens and Insatiable Naturalists Enhance Pest Survey. Presentation, Entomological Society of America, 2011.
Noxious weeds
- Hieracium atratum - (Polar Hawkweed)
- Impatiens glandulifera - (Policeman's Helmet)
- Tribulus terrestris - (Puncture-vine)
- Lythrum salicaria - (Purple Loosestrife)
- Hieracium glomeratum - (Queen-devil Hawkweed)
- Phalaris arundinacea - (Reed Canarygrass)
- Glyceria maxima - (Reed Meadowgrass)
- Eruca vesicaria ssp. sativa - (Rocket-salad)
- Chondrilla juncea - (Rush Skeletonweed)
- Acroptilon repens - (Russian Knapweed)
- Salsola kali - (Russian-thistle)
- Tamarix ramosissima - (Salt-cedar)
- Spartina patens - (Saltmeadow Cordgrass)
- Spartina alterniflora - (Saltwater Cordgrass)
- Tripleurospermum perforata - (Scentless False Mayweed)
- Cytisus scoparius - (Scotch Broom)
- Onopordum acanthium - (Scotch Cotton-thistle)
- Geranium lucidum - (Shining Crane's-bill)
- Centaurea nigrescens - (Short-fringe Starthistle)
- Solanum elaeagnifolium - (Silverleaf Nightshade)
- Brachypodium sylvaticum - (Slender False Brome)
- Carduus tenuiflorus - (Slender-flower Thistle)
- Anchusa arvensis - (Small Bugloss)
- Cuscuta approximata - (Small-seed Alfalfa Dodder)
- Hieracium laevigatum - (Smooth Hawkweed)
- Spartium junceum - (Spanish Broom)
- Thymelaea passerina - (Sparrow Weed)
- Xanthium spinosum - (Spiny Cocklebur)
- Carduus acanthoides - (Spiny Plumeless-thistle)
- Hypochaeris radicata - (Spotted Cat's-ear)
- Centaurea stoebe - (Spotted Knapweed)
- Daphne laureola - (Spurge-laurel)
- Potentilla recta - (Sulphur Cinquefoil)
- Foeniculum vulgare - (Sweet Fennel)
- Zygophyllum fabago - (Syrian Bean-caper)
- Gypsophila paniculata - (Tall Baby's-breath)
- Senecio jacobaea - (Tansy Ragwort)
- Clematis vitalba - (Traveler's-joy)
- Ailanthus altissima - (Tree-of-Heaven)
- Ludwigia hexapetala - (Water Primrose)
- Bryonia alba - (White Bryony)
- Silene latifolia ssp. alba - (White Campion)
- Daucus carota - (Wild Carrot)
- Anthriscus sylvestris - (Wild Chervil)
- Mirabilis nyctaginea - (Wild Four-o'clock)
- Lamiastrum galeobdolon - (Yellow Archangel)
- Nymphoides peltata - (Yellow Floatingheart)
- Iris pseudacorus - (Yellow Iris)
- Centaurea solstitialis - (Yellow Starthistle)