Tag: invasive plant

New Air Potato Beetle Species Release

by Tonya Ashworth
November 11, 2025

They are small but mighty. A new species of air potato beetle is being reared and released in Florida to wage war against the invasive air potato vine. First, a little background on the enemy. The air potato vine was introduced in Florida ... READ MORE

Category: , Conservation, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Forests, Invasive Species, Natural Resources, Pests & Disease, Pests & Disease
Tags: Air Potato Beetle, Air Potato Vine, Invasive Plant, Invasive Species

Florida Master Naturalists are Bioblitzing!

by Ken Gioeli
July 5, 2023

About iNaturalist iNaturalist is a powerful geomatics application that empowers users to make observations that can contribute to biodiversity science, from the rarest butterfly to the most common backyard weed. We have been using iNaturalist ... READ MORE

Category: 4-H & Youth, Agriculture, , Home Landscapes, Natural Resources, Wildlife
Tags: BioBlitz, Inaturalist, Invasive Plant, Native, Wildlife

Happy Halloweeding: Mexican Petunia

by Amanda Marek
October 17, 2022

Jumping out from the bushes to scare us this week is Mexican petunia (Ruellia simplex). Mexican petunia is a Category 1 invasive plant, the worst category of invasiveness used by the Florida Invasive Species Council. Category 1 invasive plants ... READ MORE

Category: , Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, Invasive Species
Tags: Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Invasive Plant, Mexican Petunia, Purple Flower

A Budding Invasive Plant Researcher

by Christine Krebs
November 24, 2021

The UF/IFAS Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants appreciates the dedication and hard work brought forth by our undergraduate interns. Cape Coral native, Hannah Brown, is no exception. As a senior double majoring in chemistry and biology, ... READ MORE

Category: Invasive Species, Natural Resources, UF/IFAS Research, UF/IFAS Teaching, Water
Tags: Aquatic Invasive Plants, CAIP, Internship, Invasive, Invasive Plant, Invasive Plants, Summer Internship, UF/IFAS CAIP, Water Hyacinth, Water Lettuce

Invasion of the Landscape Snatchers: Coral Ardisia (Ardisia crenata)

by Taylor Clem, PhD
October 7, 2021

Coral Ardisia (Ardisia crenata) Coral Ardisia, in some communities, is recognized as "Public Enemy #1". Its rampant growth throughout our natural communities quickly displaces natural plant communities. First introduced as an ornamental plant, ... READ MORE

Category: Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, Horticulture, Invasive Species, Natural Resources, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension
Tags: Control, Coral Ardisia, FFL, Florida Friendly, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Invasion Of The Landscape Snatchers, Invasive, Invasive Plant, IPM, Nassau County

Alligatorweed Flea Beetles Hard at Work in Port St. Lucie, FL

by Ken Gioeli
April 22, 2021

Alligatorweed (Alternanthera philoxeroides) is another invasive aquatic weed found in Florida. It originated in South America and has become a ubiquitous noxious weed in ponds throughout St. Lucie County and the Florida Treasure Coast. Fortunately, ... READ MORE

Category:
Tags: Alligatorweed, Biological Control, Invasive Plant, Minteer

Necessity of Aquatic Plant Management

by Samantha Murray
January 8, 2021

Aquatic plant management is necessary for recreation, navigation, biodiversity and more. Invasive plants harm Florida’s natural environment and lead to a loss of biodiversity and ecosystem health. They usually cannot be completely ... READ MORE

Category: Conservation, Invasive Species, Natural Resources, UF/IFAS Research, Water
Tags: Aquatic Plant Management, Center For Aquatic And Invasive Plants, Invasive, Invasive Plant

Brazilian Peppertree is not a Florida Holly

by Ken Gioeli
December 14, 2018

Despite producing red "holly-like" berries during the holiday season, Brazilian peppertree is not a native Florida holly. People who mistake this plant for a Florida holly might be in for a rude surprise. Brazilian peppertree is more closely ... READ MORE

Category: Agriculture, Home Landscapes, Invasive Species, Natural Resources, UF/IFAS Extension
Tags: Brazilian Pepper, Invasive, Invasive Plant

Q: Is there anything I can do about my neighbor who has an invasive tree in her yard?

by BLOGS.IFAS
July 18, 2017

A: Aside for letting her know the tree is on the Florida Exotic Plant Pest Council (FLEPPC) list, not really. It is on her property and most likely it came up as a volunteer. I have attached the FLEPPC list for you to look over. We should all ... READ MORE

Category: Home Landscapes
Tags: Invasive Plant

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