List Of Alien Invasive Plants In South Africa

Invasive alien species are plants, animals, pathogens and other organisms that are non-native to an ecosystem, and which may cause economic or environmental harm or adversely affect human health.

List Of Alien Invasive Plants In South Africa

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KIND OF PLANT (BOTANICAL NAME)	COMMON NAME	CATEGORY	PHOTOS

Acacia adunca A.Cunn. ex G.Don	Cascade Wattle, Wallaranga Wattle	1a	Send Us Photos
Acacia cyclops A.Cunn. ex G.Don	Red Eye, Rooikrans	1b
Acacia dealbata	Silver wattle	2
Acacia decurrens Willd, and hybrids, varieties and selections	Green wattle	1b
Acacia elata A.Cunn. ex Benth (Acacia terminalis (Salisb.) misapplied in South Africa)	Pepper tree wattle	1b
Acacia implexa Benth.	Screw pod wattle	1a
Acacia longifolia (Andrews) Willd.	Long-leaved wattle	1b
Acacia mearnsii De Wild. and hybrids, varieties and selections	Black wattle	2
Acacia melanoxylon R.Br. and hybrids, varieties and selections	Australian blackwood	2
Acacia paradoxa DC. (= A. armata R.Br.)	Kangaroo Thorn, Kangaroo wattle	1a
Acacia podalyriifolia A.Cunn. ex G.Don	Pearl acacia	1b
Acacia pycnantha Benth.	Golden wattle	1b
Acacia saligna (Labill.) H.L.Wendl.	Port Jackson Willow	1b
Acacia stricta (Andrews) Willd.	Hop Wattle	1a	Send Us Photos
Acer buergerianum Miq.	Chinese Maple	a) Category 3 Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, North-West, Northern Cape and Western Cape b) Not listed in urban areas in the Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, North-West, Northern Cape and Western Cape. c) Not listed elsewhere.	Send Us Photos
Agave americana L. subsp. americana var. expansa (Jacobi) Gentry	Spreading Century Plant	a) Category 3 in Western Cape b) Not listed elsewhere.
Agave sisalana Perrine	Sisal hemp, Sisal	2
Ageratina adenophora (Spreng.) R.M.King & H.Rob (= Euphatorium adenophorum Spreng.)	Crofton weed	1b
Ageratina riparia (Regel) R.M.King & H.Rob (= Euphatorium riparium Regel)	Mistflower	1b
Ageratum conyzoides L.	Invading ageratum	1b
Ageratum houstonianum Mill.	Mexican ageratum	a) 1b b) Sterile cultivars or hybrids are not listed.
Agrimonia procera Wallr. (= A. odorata Mill.)	Scented agrimony	1b
Agrostis castellana Boiss. & Reut.	Bent Grass	a) 1a Prince Edward Island b) 1b Marion Island c) Not listed on mainland or other off-shore islands.
Agrostis gigantea Roth	Black Bent Grass, Redtop	a) 1a Prince Edward Island b) Not listed on mainland or other off-shore islands.
Agrostis stolonifera L.	Creeping Bent Grass	a) 1a Prince Edward Island b) 1b Marion Island c) Not listed on mainland or other off-shore islands.
Ailanthus altissima (Mill.) Swingle	Tree-of-heaven	1b
Albizia lebbeck (L.) Benth.	Lebbeck tree	1b
Albizia procera (Roxb.) Benth.	False lebbeck	1b
Alhagi maurorum Medik. (= A. camelorum Fisch.)	Camel thorn bush	1b
Alisma plantago-aquatica L.	Mud Plantain, Water Alisma	1b
Alopecurus geniculatus L. (= A. australis Nees)	Marsh Foxtail, Water Foxtail	a) 1a Prince Edward and Marion Islands b) Not listed on mainland or other off-shore islands.
Alpinia zerumbet (Pers.) B.L.Burtt & R.M.Sm. (= A. speciosa (J.C.Wendl.) Schum.)	Shell Ginger, Pink Porcelain Lily	3
Amophilla arenaria (L.) Link	Marram Grass	3

What are invasive alien plants in South Africa?

Invasive alien vegetation refers to plants brought to South Africa from other countries, both intentionally and unintentionally, that cause human, environmental or economic harm. Without natural enemies, these plants reproduce and spread rapidly, taking valuable water and space from our indigenous plants.

How many alien invasive plants are there in South Africa?

The regulations identify a total of 559 alien species, including 383 plant species as invasive in four different categories, and a further 560 species listed as prohibited and may not be introduced into the country. Visit https:// www.environment.co.za for a list of AIPs and their categories.

What is one plant species that is illegally harvested in South Africa?

South Africa’s ancient cycad plants are under threat due to poaching. The species is more than 300 million years old and is the oldest seed plant. They are illegally harvested and traded locally and internationally.

Why are invasive species a problem in South Africa?

Some species have serious negative impacts on South African ecosystems, for example, some invasive tree species like the pines, eucalyptus, and wattles use much larger quantities of water than the native trees they are displacing.