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A Natural Areas Inventory of the - Kansas Natural Heritage Inventory ...

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Euonymus fortunei (Celastraceae; Chinese spindle-tree)<br />

Native to Asia, Chinese spindle-tree was introduced as an ornamental groundcover. It is an<br />

evergreen vine that can form a dense ground cover or climb up to 6 m high. It is an aggressive<br />

species, spreading rapidly, and can out-compete native groundcover and replace spring<br />

ephemerals. It can be spread by birds eating its seed. Found usually as a cultivated plant,<br />

Chinese spindle-tree can invade natural openings along with floodplain, mesic and dry-mesic<br />

forests that are relatively undisturbed. For small infestations hand pulling by <strong>the</strong> roots can be<br />

effective. For larger infestations, vines can be cut by hand and herbicide applied. Mowing is not<br />

effective without chemical treatment and fire may not be an alternative in forests.<br />

Chinese spindle-tree is not currently a problem at FLMR (but see general considerations for<br />

exotic trees and shrubs).<br />

Koelreuteria paniculata (Sapindaceae; panicled golden-rain tree)<br />

Native to China and Japan, <strong>the</strong> panicled golden-rain tree is a medium sized deciduous tree<br />

reaching 12 m tall. It is an introduced, ornamental, lawn tree with yellow flowers borne in large<br />

clusters 6 cm long. It has shown an invasive tendency in some areas <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> country. It does well<br />

on a variety <strong>of</strong> soils in full sunlight and is tolerant <strong>of</strong> pollution, drought, heat and wind.<br />

Ornamental plantings should be discontinued near natural areas and existing trees replaced with<br />

native species.<br />

Panicled golden-rain tree is not currently a problem at FLMR (but see general considerations for<br />

exotic trees and shrubs).<br />

Lespedeza cuneata (Fabaceae; sericea lespedeza)<br />

Native to eastern Asia, sericea lespedeza is a perennial legume with slightly woody stems that<br />

can grow to 2 m tall. It has been introduced into many areas for erosion control and as food and<br />

cover for wildlife. It is unpalatable to livestock compared to native grassland species due to<br />

tannins found in its tissue. Seeds are dispersed in <strong>the</strong> fall, may be dispersed by birds, and can<br />

remain viable for over 20 years. It is found extensively along roadsides but also can invade a<br />

variety <strong>of</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r sites including thickets, fields, meadows, prairies, and woodlands. It is very<br />

drought hardy. Burning, grazing, and fertilization can achieve control on rangeland. Late spring<br />

burns on non-rangeland have achieved some success. For small, scattered infestations, backpack<br />

sprayer application <strong>of</strong> herbicides has been effective.<br />

Sericea lespedeza can become highly invasive, forming dense populations that diminish native<br />

biodiversity or impede efforts at ecosystem restoration; it is particularly problematic in rangeland<br />

<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Flint Hills <strong>of</strong> <strong>Kansas</strong>. The species is a threat to prairie and grassland habitats. It is<br />

<strong>of</strong>ficially designated as a noxious weed in <strong>Kansas</strong>, and <strong>the</strong>refore certain control measures are<br />

required. The current population at FLMR is small (known from a few plants along Corral<br />

Creek) and we recommend a program targeted at complete eradication. This species easily can<br />

be confused with several native plants and <strong>the</strong>refore accurate identification is critical before<br />

implementing control measures. Extreme care must be exercised in controlling this species<br />

where it occurs within or near native communities so as not to damage non-target species.<br />

NATURAL AREAS INVENTORY OF FT. LEAVENWORTH II 193

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