Anita’s Blog – Invasive BioBlitz - One Weekend To Go

Bur clover, with its artfully designed leaves is an invasive plant. (Photo by Anita Westervelt)

One weekend left to photograph invasive species for the 2026 NPSOT Invasive Species BioBlitz.

Extended through Sunday, February 1, 2026

According to the BioBlitz administrators: “Invasive species are one of the leading threats to Texas’s native plants, wildlife, and natural landscapes. By documenting where invasive species are found, community scientists help land managers detect new infestations early, track how invasives spread, and prioritize effective responses.

“These observations turn everyday encounters—along roadsides, in parks, or in backyards—into valuable data that supports conservation across the state. Together, we can build a clearer picture of what’s happening on the ground and protect the places we care about.

“Note: Everyone is welcome to join the BioBlitz! You do not need to be a NPSOT member.”

266 people have joined the project at this writing,

648 observations have been uploaded,

138 species of invasive plants have been documented from North Central Texas south to the Rio Grande Valley.

57 observers have uploaded data

73 experts have been identifying the uploaded information

Before the BioBlitz even got off to a start, the weather turned troublesome and the program administrators extended the deadline through Sunday, February 1, 2026.

We have another weekend to continue the BioBlitz.

Hopefully Texas will encounter milder weather for the last three days of the BioBlitz.

My contributions have been sporadic because I much prefer sunny skies, temps above 57 degrees Fahrenheit with minimal wind.

Interestingly, I was surprised that some of my observations made it to the invasive category. Initially, my uploads included plants that I have learned were invasive and plants that I personally consider annoying that actually made the cut.

With plants I didn't recognize, I uploaded anyway and found even more plants that counted as invasive for this BioBlitz.

In addition, it was fascinating to see what is invasive in the other regions of our vast state. This link will put you at the page that lists all the invasive species currently uploaded.

https://www.inaturalist.org/observations?project_id=272488&ttl=900&place_id=any&verifiable=any&view=species

Once on the page, you may click on the number of observations at the bottom left of each photo and see where those observations occur in Texas.

This link is the leader board with statistics and pictures of recent observations:

https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/2026-npsot-invasive-species-bioblitz

Scroll down to the map showing regional participation; the response is fairly consistent to the map of NPSOT chapter locations except for no response documented yet from the Big Bend area.

The below link lists my Rio Grande Valley observations in areas from Harlingen, San Benito, Los Fresnos and the lower portion of South Padre Island. There could be a thousand times more entries of several of the species, but I’m not as brave as I once was at pulling off the busy roads onto the verge to obliviously snap photos of vegetation.

https://www.inaturalist.org/observations?project_id=272488&ttl=900&place_id=any&verifiable=any&view=species&user_id=772582

I met with a few surprises as to what is and is not on the invasives list for this particular BioBlitz.

On the list, surprisingly

Bur clover, Medicago polymorpha (Intro photo above)

Creeping woodsorrel, Oxalis corniculata

So much a seemingly regional standard, but it happens to be an invasive species. (Photo by Anita Westervelt)

Red tasselflower, Emilia fosbergii

Often a stowaway in many a nursery potted plant, but it, too, is invasive, although easily plucked out of a garden if not wanted. I have seen butterflies and other insects on the flowers. (Photo by Anita Westervelt)

New to me and on the invasives list:

Scarlet pimpernel, Lysimachia arvensis

Scarlet pimpernel's pretty leaf rosettes look so benign; will the ensuing flowers portend a daring rescue? (Photo by Anita Westervelt)

Durban crowfoot, Dactyloctenium aegyptium

Don't be taken in by the Durban crowfoot's fun and interesting seed head. (Photo by Anita Westervelt)

Not on the list but I think these plants are more than a little annoying

Southern cattails, Typha domingensis

Cattails can quickly take over a body of water; interestingly, invasive Nutria, Myocastor coypus, are a successful defense in keeping cattails in check. (Photo by Anita Westervelt)

Western ragweed, Ambrosia psilostachya

Western ragweed leaf pattern is similar to invasive Santa Maria feverfew, which is highly invasive. (Photo by Anita Westervelt)

Poverty weed, Baccharis neglecta

Poverty weed may be invasive somewhere, but it is not on Texas invasive lists, according to Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, wwww.wildflower.org. This specimen is in my yard, growing at the base of a palm. It will be short-lived; it is not a species I want to encourage. (Photo by Anita Westervelt

New to me and not on the invasives list

Smartweed leafflower, Phyllanthus polygonoides

Interesting name, interesting linear leaf vein, nice whorl of leaves and round fruit. (Photo by Anita Westervelt)

Carolina ponysfoot, Dichondra carolinensis

An interesting find; appears to be a creeper; something to keep an eye on; listed as aggressive, which means it's an overachieving native species. (Photo by Anita Westervelt)

Athel tamarisk, Tamarix aphylla

I was surprised when this bank of trees between a resaca and a side street didn't identify as dreadful salt cedar, Tamarix ramosissima. This species pictured does not sexually reproduce in this climate, so it is not seriously invasive -- TexasInvasives.org. (Photo by Anita Westervelt)

CORRECTION -- This species, Athel tamarisk, Tamarix aphylla, was verified by the verifiers on iNaturalist.org and is now included as being on the invasives list of the BioBlitz