Non-native, invasive plant species are a growing problem in South Carolina. Not all non-native plants are invasive, but those that escape cultivation, spread rapidly, and compete aggressively with native species are rightly considered pests. In South Carolina, non-native plant invasions can be seen in natural areas, croplands, pastures, forests, wetlands, and highway rights-of-way. Some, like kudzu, can overwhelm entire landscapes. Others are less conspicuous but over time are reducing plant diversity and threatening the sustainability of ecosystems.

 

Invasive Plant Pest Species of South Carolina, published by Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service, has up-to-date lists, color pictures, and detailed descriptions of our most troublesome non-native plants.