Celebrating Wildflowers - Invasive Plants

/Home/Homework Help - Invasive Plants

Celebrating Wildflowers - Invasive Plants
US Forest Service

Noxious weeds are non-native, invasive plants. At first glance they may appear pretty, but invasive plants can pose serious environmental threats.
What is an Invasive Plant Species?

An "invasive species" is defined as a species that is

1. Non-native (or alien) to the ecosystem under consideration; and,
2. Whose introduction causes or is likely to cause economic or environmental harm or harm to human health. (Executive Order 13112).

Why are invasive plants successful?
Dalmation Toadflax with inset a snapdragon. The pretty flower is easily mistaken for a snapdragon. Beautiful but dangerous!

* Many invasive plant species produce large quantities of seed.
* Many invasives thrive on disturbed soil.
* Invasive plant seeds are often distributed by birds, wind, or unknowingly humans allowing seed to moving great distances.
* Some invasives have aggressive root systems that spread long distances from a single plant.
* These root systems often grow so densely that they smother the root systems of surrounding vegetation.
* Some plant species produce chemicals in their leaves or root systems which inhibit the growth of other plants around them.

Please visit the web site for more information.