Shoebutton ardisia is an invasive plant from Asia that infests subtropical forests and seasonal wetlands in southern Florida. Removal of invasive species is crucial to maintaining the ecological integrity of these habitats. This study tested the effectiveness of triclopyr applied in a cut-stump treatment to shoebutton ardisia in a forested seasonal wetland setting in southern Miami-Dade County, Florida. A total of 300 individuals of shoebutton ardisia were selected from three sites (100/ site); half were assigned to treatment and half to control groups. All plants were cut off at the base, and plants in the treatment group received an application of triclopyr (in amine form). Survival rates after 1 yr were 5.3% for treated vs. 97% for nontreated plants, indicating that triclopyr is effective at controlling shoebutton ardisia. However, results were significantly different at one site, indicating that further study is needed.

Nomenclature: Triclopyr; shoebutton ardisia, Ardisia elliptica Thunberg.

Additional index words: Herbicide effectiveness, seasonal wetlands.