Over 100 years ago, Willis Jepson wrote a three page article called Alien Plants in California as a result of his observations that "native plants are being crowded out" by alien plants. The botanical journal, in which the article was published, called Erythea, was also edited by him. It must be remembered also that it is was in Erythea, that Blanche Trask would publish some of her findings on the Channel Islands. Willis Jepson assisted many naturalists in getting their discoveries and articles published in Erythea. During the time that Erythea existed as a botanical journal, many articles on weeds and aliens were published under the section of "SHORT ARTICLES." It is with this in mind, that one must consider the article presented here, but also for just purely educational purposes and curiosity of natural history. I also hope it makes people want to go out and remove invasive alien plants, as the 'true weeds' of California.

In this process of extermination of native plants foreign weeds also play a part, for many native annuals are too feeble to resist the hardy invaders. It is true that many immigrant plants, notwithstanding the favorable conditions, do not spread, and a few survive only for a time. It is likewise true that others take absolute possession of large areas. The behavior of foreigners on our soil should in all cases be carefully observed and will form a distinct contribution to the botanical history of the state. The possibilities of further additions to our flora, so far as soil and climate go, are almost unlimited.

The following notes were made principally during July and August, 1892. Several of the species are for the first time recorded as occurring in middle California or on the Pacific Coast of North America.

Melilotus alba, Lam. grows in Bear Valley, Lake County, and also near Ukiah. It reaches a height of twelve feet in moist lowlands. Roubieva multifida (Linn.)Moq. is naturalized in the town of Vacaville. It also grows abundantly in certain places on the sand hills of San Francisco. Phytolacca decandra, (Linn.)Smith, has established itself in the grainfields of the Montezuma Hills near Bird's Landing. It has not been hitherto reported from the interior. Near Fairfield, Solano County, Scabiosa atropurpurea, Linn., the Sweet Scabious of the gardens, has become spontaneous in uncultivated places. I also found it near the Montezuma school in the same county, and it is common in the streets of Berkeley and probably in many other towns.

In 1886, Professor Greene detected near Vacaville one of the old world Star-Thistles, Centaurea calcitrapa, Linn. It has since spread a short distance along county roads and over uncultivated plots of ground. It is not known from any other station in North America except as a ballast-weed at Atlantic sea-ports. Associated with it is Centaurea solstitalis, Linn., previously known from various localities southward. In the same region also is Lactuca scariola, Linn., not infrequent by roadways. I first saw it four years ago, and it has been reported since from towns near the Bay of San Francisco. Artemisia biennis, Willd., is thoroughly established at West Berkeley near the Powder Works.

In August, 1892, I found Datura stramonium, Linn., near a deserted saw-mill on Elk Mountain, Lake County, at an elevation of at least three thousand feet. Verbascum blattaria, Linn., was discovered near Upper Lake in the same region and at the same date as the preceding. This is the first note of its introduction on this coast. Veronica agrestis, Linn., is occasional in orchards near Vacaville as an escape from gardens. Mentha viridis, Linn., is plentiful in Scott Valley, Lake County, and in Napa Valley. It is common in many portions of the State. Nepeta cataria, Linn., is abundant along streams in Lake County and also about dwellings in the mountains of the same region. . . . . . . . W.L. JEPSON.

Jepson recognized certain animals as aliens and he called them "hooved locusts" as did John Muir. Jepson said in his journal of his Catalina botanical exploration, words to the effect that if the sheep were not on Catalina, there would be more interesting plants to find and see. If Jepson were alive today and visited Catalina, he would also have lamented that Buffalo, Horse, Deer and Pig are on Catalina Island, although the sheep have been removed.

Jepson similarly recognized plants as aliens, as in the article reprinted above that he wrote in 1893, more than 100 years ago. Today, all scientists are in agreement, that invasive alien species are the greatest threat to biodiversity on earth, together with loss of habitat from direct human impacts of development, whether it be logging, urban devlopment, energy development, or livestock grazing. The Earth is dying, California is dying, and Jepson would be out there sounding the alarm, just as he did in 1892 as a young man, by helping found the Sierra Club.