Threats and Stressors in progress

Oncosiphon Pilulifer (Stinknet) Management

Oncosiphon pilulifer (stinknet) is a fast-spreading invasive plant from South Africa that is becoming established in Southern California and Arizona. It is an annual flowering plant that often occurs in arid to semi-arid regions in sandy soils. It is very prolific, and especially abundant in disturbed agriculture fields and open scrublands. It has a strong unpleasant odor and medicinal properties. Oncosiphon pilulifer is used by indigenous peoples as an herbal remedy and more recently is being evaluated for pharmaceutical uses. It was originally introduced into Riverside County in 1981 and San Diego County in 1998. It is becoming very abundant and widespread in the San Pasqual Valley and is well established in western Otay Mesa and many other spots along the coast and inland western San Diego County. Because it is so abundant and dense in coastal sage scrub, it poses a potential threat to species of conservation concern, such as the California gnatcatcher and coastal cactus wren. It also has the potential to impact reptiles, sensitive plants, and other species inhabiting openings in scrublands or riparian areas. The San Diego Management and Monitoring Program is initiating efforts to eradicate small, isolated occurrences, prevent new occurrences from establishing, and, as feasible, to contain and reduce impacts of larger occurrences. In 2018, SDMMP will be coordinating with weed control experts and land managers to map and treat Oncosiphon pilulifer in western San Diego County.
Project Focus

stinknet, stinknet

Emily Perkins; Annabelle Bernabe

San Diego Association of Governments

Kris Preston

San Diego Management and Monitoring Program

California Invasive Plant Council ; California State Parks; City of Chula Vista; City of San Diego, Open Space Division; City of San Diego, Public Utilities Department Watershed and Resource Protection Team; Conservation Biology Institute; County of San Diego; Del Dios Habitat Protection League ; District 11, Department of Transportation, State of California; Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton; Nature Collective; RECON Environmental, Inc.; San Diego Zoo Institute for Conservation Research; San Dieguito River Park; San Dieguito River Valley Conservancy; UC Cooperative Extension ; University of California, Riverside

Sarah McCutcheon

Sarah McCutcheon

Sarah McCutcheon

Sarah McCutcheon

Project Protocol

Invasive plants

Goal: The overarching goals for addressing invasive plant species in the MSPA are to: (1) Protect Conserved Lands from new or expanding invasive plant species; (2) Detect new invasive species and new invasions early on and control them before the plants have a chance to establish; (3) Address invasive species using the response appropriate for the level of invasiveness (level 1 through 5) as defined in the Invasive Plant Strategic Plan (IPSP)

regional and/or local NFO 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021
MGT-IMP-IPSP INVPLA-1

Management units: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11

From 2017-2021, continue implementing the IPSP by removing Levels 1, 2, and 3 invasive plant species before their distribution becomes too abundant to control.

Action Statement Action status Projects
IMP-1 Continue to provide funding and support to the existing County of San Diego AWM effort to implement the IPSP and remove and control Level 1, 2, and 3 invasive plant species within the MSPA. In progress Oncosiphon Pilulifer (Stinknet) Management, Regional Invasive Plant Management, Crest Canyon Invasvive Plant Control Project, Riparian Restoration and Arundo Removal, Veldt Grass Removal - San Elijo Lagoon Ecological Reserve, Invasive Plant Control - Silverwood Wildlife Sanctuary, North County Dunes Restoration
IMP-2 Work with San Diego County AWM to update the annual Work Plan and include new Level 1, 2, or 3 invasive species encountered that are determined to need priority management using the same criteria as the IPSP. In progress Oncosiphon Pilulifer (Stinknet) Management, Regional Invasive Plant Management, Crest Canyon Invasvive Plant Control Project, Riparian Restoration and Arundo Removal, Veldt Grass Removal - San Elijo Lagoon Ecological Reserve, Invasive Plant Control - Silverwood Wildlife Sanctuary, North County Dunes Restoration
IMP-3 Submit project metadata, data, and report to MSP web portal In progress Oncosiphon Pilulifer (Stinknet) Management, Crest Canyon Invasvive Plant Control Project, Riparian Restoration and Arundo Removal, Veldt Grass Removal - San Elijo Lagoon Ecological Reserve, Invasive Plant Control - Silverwood Wildlife Sanctuary, North County Dunes Restoration
Criteria Deadline year
Reduction in =50% of the IPSP Levels 1 and 2 Species by 2021 2021
Threat Name Threat Code
Invasive plantsINVPLA
Project Data - Online Map