NPSpecies

Data Source: NatureServe. 2007. Inventory of the vascular plants of Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area. Draft report submitted to the National Park Service, Appalachian Highlands I&M Network, Asheville, NC.

Data Source: NatureServe. 2007. Inventory of the vascular plants of Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area. Draft report submitted to the National Park Service, Appalachian Highlands I&M Network, Asheville, NC. Legacy NPSpecies information may no longer be applicable, please remove if it is not applicable. In legacy NPSpecies Weedy value was Yes In legacy NPSpecies Pest value was Yes with comment: TNEPPC RANK=SEVERE THREAT; I-Rank=High/low; Dioscorea oppositifolia alters community structure and composition by overtopping existing vegetation layers and shading species in lower layers (Tu 2002). It is reported as invasive in four states (Miller et al. 2002). A unique propagule, known as a "bulbil," is dispersed by water currents (Tu 2002). D. oppositifolia establishes in distrubed areas and spreads from there into undisturbed sites (Tu 2002). This species resprouts after cutting and vigorously reproduces asexually, but it can be controlled with herbicide treatments (Tu 2002). (NatureServe 2007).