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, invasions of pest plants are seen in natural areas, croplands, pastures, forests, wetlands, and highway rights-of-way. Some, like kudzu, can overwhelm entire landscapes. Others, such as the Asiatic witchweed, (Striga asiatica) are less conspicuous but very costly to agriculture. If not controlled, invasives can reduce plant diversity and threaten the sustainability of ecosystems.
Invasive Plant Pest Species of South Carolina, a brochure published by Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service, has up-to-date lists, color pictures, and detailed descriptions of our most troublesome non-native plants.