Russian olive (Elaeagnus angustifolia) was introduced to the United States to control erosion, but has become invasive in riparian habitats along the Yampa River. Areas dominated by Russian olive have lower biodiversity than areas dominated by native vegetation. Native buffaloberry (Shepherdia argentea) is a riverine floodplain shrub from the same family as Russian olive (Elaeagnaceae) and is commonly found in riparian communities of Northwest Colorado. Native buffaloberry is easily confused with invasive Russian olive and has been mistakenly removed by river managers. It is important to distinguish between the invasive Russian olive and the native buffaloberry because, among other uses, buffaloberries are important forage for deer, elk, and sharp-tailed grouse.

Use this one-page handout to understand their key differences.

Tamarisk, also called salt cedar, is an invasive plant introduced with the blessing of the Federal government to reduce erosion in the late 1800s. It has since been classified as an invasive species due to its tendency to outcompete native riparian plants, decrease native biodiversity, and stabilize formerly dynamic stream channels. Not only is it an extraordinary consumer of water, but it also creates salty deposits that inhibit other plant species from growing, and it turns cobbled river beds where native fish spawn into impenetrable sandbars neither fish nor boaters can use.

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Leafy spurge was introduced into the Yampa River watershed about 40 years ago just west of Hayden, Colorado. Whether the original source of contamination was hay equipment brought into the area from Utah or road building equipment working on U.S. Highway 40 is unknown, but both occurred at approximately the time that leafy spurge was first observed (according to Yampa River Leafy Spurge Project volunteer Ben Beall, Sr.) It has expanded its range since that initial introduction, and is now found along the Yampa River and its tributaries in Routt and Moffat counties, and into Dinosaur National Monument. This invasive weed is outcompeting native plants and crops that livestock typically graze. Leafy spurge is toxic to cattle, elk, and deer, and its sap is caustic to human hands. Learn how to spot leafy spurge and the efforts being made to control its spread using biocontrols at the Yampa River Leafy Spurge Project website.