Invasive and Problem Plants
Since the soil in the areas in and along the trail has been disturbed (graded and used as a road) over the years, many destructive plants have been brought in. These are a few of the worst ones. Many non-natives included in the Upland Plants of Batiquitos page are also invasive or problematic plants.
Tumbleweed or Russian Thistle
Common Name: Tumbleweed
Scientific Name: Salsola pestifer (or australis)
Size/Location: Near trail (disturbed areas)
Comments: Red stems; many seeds; breaks loose when mature and dry and disperses seeds over wide area as it rolls around.
Pampas Grass
Common Name: Pampas Grass
Scientific Name: Cortaderia spp.
Size/Location: Grows in lowland, waste areas
Comments: Individual plants get wider and wider; sawtooth leaves; spread over wide areas by wind-carried seeds from plumes.
Date Palm
Common Name: Date Palm
Scientific Name:Phoenix dactylifera
Size/Location: Salt-intolerant; near trail; very wide
Comments: Inappropriate and encroaching on places more appropriate plants should be.
Giant Reed
Common Name: Giant Reed
Scientific Name:Arundo donax
Size/Location: Grows very tall (over 20 feet) and spreads rapidly
Comments: A state-wide problem, choking waterways. In the lagoon, choking out cattails and bulrushes in the water, as well as upland plants.