Invasive Plant Species

What are Invasive Plants?

Invasive plants are species that are non-native and spread quickly to displace other naturally occurring plants. When these plants invade, they can greatly change an ecosystem. For example, consider what water hyacinth has done in our waterways, and the giant reed, bamboo does when left to spread by streams. In the native garden there are many plants that are considered weed pests, which we would like to eradicate.

Here are two invasives we want to eliminate in the garden.

Examples of invasive plant species in our area:

  • star thistle vinca major(periwinkle)
  • puncture vine Italian thistle
  • foxtail grass English ivy
  • rat-tail fescue mustard
  • filaree fennel
  • *Note: Not all weeds are pests and not all non-natives are invasive.

Star thistle

Puncture vine

Invasive Trees in our area:

eucalyptus trees

tree of heaven

pepper trees

tamarix

acacia