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+--- Thread: Invasive identification (/showthread.php?tid=4488)
Invasive identification - microage97 - 04-14-2014
Hello All,
I have been clearing my lot in Orchidland and I have ran across a few things that I believe are invasive. Does anyone know of a good site with pictures for identification? The most numerous is a woody type bush that seems to spread via runner roots. I have been chopping it down and pulling what I can out of the ground. The are a few stands that will require the chain saw as the limbs are 4-5" or more.
The next is a tree that has light tan bark and leaves similarly shaped like the ohia. I guess it is probably an invasive as I don't see any large trees just keikis.
Thanks for all of you help!
Dave
RE: Invasive identification - HPPGuy - 04-14-2014
I would be interested in this as well, Microage. I am new to the island (been here about 8 months) and still unsure sometimes what is "native" and what is "invasive". I would be nice to have a book that had pictures so you could easily identify. And good luck clearing your lot! I have a small lot in Hawaiian Shores but when they originally clear the lot several years ago they just bulldozed everything to the back corner and now it is totally overgrown with weeds. Clearing it is SLOW going and has not been fun!
RE: Invasive identification - Carey - 04-14-2014
As my favorite, both the HEAR & PIER sites went down due to lack of funding, these are pretty good:
Bishop Museum key to invasive botanicals:
http://hbs.bishopmuseum.org/invasives/keys/botany/
These USDA lists of noxious weeds and invasive resources are a little harder to navigate, but has a good list:
http://plants.usda.gov/java/noxious?rptType=State&statefips=15
http://www.invasivespeciesinfo.gov/unitedstates/hi.shtml
And this Forest Service site in a good general overview & resource site, but still links to the PIER site, so may not be that up-to-date:
http://www.fs.fed.us/psw/topics/ecosystem_processes/tropical/invasive/
RE: Invasive identification - microage97 - 04-14-2014
@HPPGUY - Well I am using a Stihl FS130R weed whacker and there isn't much it can't take down. I can stand about 5hrs before I cry uncle. The lot is 3 acres square and I would say I have almost 1/2 to 3/4 acres cleared in about 12 hrs or so.
@Carey - Thanks! :-( the bishop site uses java and doesn't seems to want to run on windows 7, but I will check out the other links.
RE: Invasive identification - dayna - 04-14-2014
Microage97 does the woody plant have purple flowers on it?
Dayna
http://www.FarmingAloha.com
www.E-Z-Caps.com
RE: Invasive identification - microage97 - 04-14-2014
@Dayna - I believe so, at lease I remember the leaves to have a purple color to them on one side. They lives are pretty small and it appears to grow as a busy with multiple limbs making up the section.
RE: Invasive identification - Carey - 04-14-2014
Is ithe bush Tibouhina (glory bush)..if so it is one the LIST!
http://dlnr.hawaii.gov/hisc/info/species/glory-bush/
RE: Invasive identification - dayna - 04-14-2014
@Carey, yeah that's a bad one. We've been yanking it out, cutting it out, and feeding it to the goats.
Dayna
http://www.FarmingAloha.com
www.E-Z-Caps.com
RE: Invasive identification - MarkP - 04-14-2014
The tree with the light tan bark and leaves like an ohia is almost certainly strawberry guava, or waiawi. If so it is one of the worst invasives. They don't get more than 5" or 6" in diameter and are usually less than 3".
http://www.pbase.com/selvin/image/65798965
RE: Invasive identification - microage97 - 04-15-2014
Ya I agree that I believe it is glory bush. If it is strawberry guava is is a fairly new arrival. I am finding some but not a lot and usually they are growing under an Ohia. So I have been cutting the trunks off level with the lava and I am reluctant to paint the stubs with a brush killer since they are so close to the Ohia. Hopefully they will die. :-) I guess I am looking to just keep the Ohia standing an nothing else unless I come across some fruit trees but they mostly seem to be only found where planted or seeded from a planted tree.