Guide to Greens Bayou/ Ecology

Nature in Conflict

The sloping banks and flowing waters of Greens Bayou – and all bayous in the Houston area – are a source of natural beauty. Often referred to as “green ribbons” that traverse our landscape, the bayous are presently battlefields of plant life.

Numerous invasive exotic plant species are wreaking havoc along our bayous. What is an invasive exotic plant species? Over the past century, many exotic plants were imported to North America from Europe, Asia and other regions because they thrived in similar climates, but offered unusual attributes, such as trees with showy fall color or shrubs with showy flowers.

Initially horticulturalists were thrilled with the success of this sharing of species, but 50 to 100 years later we’ve learned this practice was well-intended, but tragically misguided. Sadly, a large percentage of these imported, “exotic” species have proven to be “invasive,” meaning they choke out other naturally occurring plants, which in turn impacts habitat and food sources for wildlife. Numerous invasive exotics currently threaten the natural habitat along Greens Bayou.

To read more on this topic, including ways you can help eliminate invasive species, visit the Bayou Preservation Association’s extensive site at www.bayoupreservation.org.

Invasive Exotics Species Found on Greens Bayou
Provided by Eric Ruckstuhl of Bayou Preservation Association

Air Potato, Potato Vine – Dioscorea bulbifera

• Invasive Exotic Vine
  
• Twining Counter Clockwise and Climbing
  
• Heart Shaped Leaves to 6 inches Wide
  
• Control Is Difficult Because of the Tuberous Roots
  
• Sold in the Nursery and Landscape Trade
  
• Native to Eastern Asia

Chinaberry – Melia azedarach

• Invasive Exotic Tree
  
• Height Is to 40 ft. or More
• Displacing Native Plant Species All Over the United States
  
• Produces Much Fruit and Seeds
  
• Recently Reintroduced Into the Nursery and Landscape Trade
  
• Native to China

Chinese Elm – Ulmus parvifolia

• Invasive Exotic Tree
  
• Height Is 40-60 ft.
  
• Wind Blown Seeds
  
• Leaves are Glossy and Smooth
  
• Extensively Planted as a Street Tree
  
• Native to China

Chinese Privet – Ligustrum sinense

• Invasive Exotic Shrub
  
• Height Is to 12 ft.
  
• Heavily Displaces Native Trees and Shrubs
  
• Epidemic Level of Infestation
  
• Often Mistaken for Yaupon - Ilex vomitoria
  
• Sold in the Nursery and Landscape Trade in a Variegated Form (variegation serves as a temporary disguise and disappears within a few years)
  
• Native to China

Chinese Tallow – Sapium sebiferum

• Invasive Exotic Tree
  
• Height Is to 40 ft.
  
• Very High Seed Germination
  
• Infesting Much of the Southern United States
  
• Capable of Heavy Displacement of Native Plant Species
  
• Native to China

Dotted Bridal Veil – Gibasis pellucida

• Invasive Exotic Herbaceous Groundcover
  
• White Flowers
  
• Displacing Many Native Plants Along Streams in the Southern United States
  
• Sold in the Nursery and Landscape Trade
  
• Native to Tropical America, Including Mexico

Eleagnus – Elaeagnus x ebbingei (macrophylla x pungens)

• Invasive Exotic Shrub
  
• Height Is to 9 ft.
  
• Evergreen in Mild Climates
  
• Leaves are Elliptic, Green Above,Silvery Below
  
• Sold in the Nursery and Landscape Trade
  
• Both Parent Species Are Native to China and Japan

Golden Rain Tree – Koelreuteria paniculata

• Invasive Exotic Tree
  
• Height Is to 45-60 ft.
  
• Yellow Flowers
  
• Displaces Native Plants With High Numbers of Seedlings
  
• Sold in the Nursery and Landscape Trade
  
• Native to Asia

Heavenly Bamboo, Nandina – Nandina domestica

• Invasive Exotic Evergreen to Semi-Evergreen Shrub
  
• Height Is to 6ft.
  
• Easily Noticeable Red Berries and Red Fall Color
  
• Displaces Native Plants in Woodland and Riparian Habitats
  
• Sold in the Nursery and Landscape Trade
  
• Native from India to S.E. Asia

Tree of Heaven – Ailanthus altissima

• Invasive Exotic Tree
  
• Height Is to 60 ft.
  
• Has Infested More Than 80% of the United States
  
• Suckers Profusely and Self Seeds
  
• Native to China

Wax Leaf Ligustrum, Tree Ligustrum – Ligustrum japonicum, lucidum, quihoui

• Invasive Exotic Shrubs to Small Trees
• Height Is 6-30 ft.
• Evergreen Leaves
• Cream Colored Flowers
• Bluish Purple Fruit
• Sold in the Nursery and Landscape Trade
• Epidemic Level of Infestation
• Very Large Specimens are Often Tree Ligustrum – Ligustrum lucidum
• Native to Asia