Early detection of a new population of an invasive plant is the first
and most essential step in controlling its spread. 
 
OCCNPS members and friends are the “eyes on the ground” to do that detection.
 
If you find any invasive plant listed on this web page,
at a site not listed, please do the following:
 
  • Record the plant’s location as exactly as you can (GPS coordinates, if possible), the date you saw it, and an estimate of how many there were. Include the site’s landowner or manager, if known.
  • Take some identifying photos, especially clear extreme closeups of flowers and/or leaves from different angles. The more the better.
  • If you take a sample, place it immediately into a sealed bag, then press it between paper when you getb home.
  • To avoid spreading the plant, check your clothing and shoes thoroughly before leaving the area, and remove and bag all traces of seeds.
  • Post a record of the observation on Calflora.org (preferred) or iNaturalist.org, or both. OCCNPS monitors these sites almost daily.
  • Alternatively, report the find immediately to .

 

OCCNPS will take it to the next essential step: Rapid Response

  • Confirming the species, possibly field checking and mapping the colony, and collecting a herbarium sample.
  • Alerting the appropriate land manager and/or stewardship group and facilitating a management response. 
  • The management may be done by the land manager's staff and/or stewardship program, and/or via a contractor.  
  • On-going surveys and management may also be established.

 

 

OC’s native plants, and their lands’ managers, thank you!

Invasive Plant Identification

If you are uncertain about a weed identification please send
photographs and details, as mentioned above, to .

OC-CNPS Early Detection Training

Orange County CNPS training for early
detection of high priority non-native invasive plants

Focused training for volunteers, land managers, stewardship groups, agency staff and others

Extensive classroom instruction by CNPS experts, with optional Calflora training

Detailed identification of Orange County’s highest priority invasive plant species

More information is available here or send inquiries to .