Invasive Plants

June 5, 2022

Written by: Caroline Kim

Plants in nature might almost always seem like a great thing in nature, but some species aren’t so beneficial to the environment. These would be invasive plant species: non-native plants that cause harm to the ecosystem; they often spread quickly, are difficult to manage, and costly (Invasive Plants in Virginia). These plants are often able to spread so quickly because they have many seeds which also are distributed by birds/on accident, have aggressive root systems, and produce chemicals which hinder the growth of nearby plants (Invasive Plants). Subsequently, invasive plants can cause a decline in overall plant diversity (competition for sunlight, space, nutrients), ruin water quality, cause soil erosion, and damage the habitat of organisms (Invasive Plants). The top invasive plants in the U.S. include Tree of Heaven, Spotted Knapweed, Canada thistle, and Alligator weed among many others (Virginia Invasive Plant Species List).

Management can be difficult and costly, but everyone can pitch in. It’s always good to leave plants where they are, especially if you can’t identify them. Consider hand weeding, mowing, girdling, or cutting/stumping, the invasive species; sometimes herbicides can also be used (applying to the plants’ leaves) (Invasive Species and Plant Management).

Sources:

“Invasive Plants in Virginia.” Virginia Department of Forestry, 14 Apr. 2021, https://dof.virginia.gov/forest-management-health/forest-health/invasive-plants-in-virginia/#:~:text=Some%20examples%20of%20common%20invasive,Japanese%20stiltgrass%2C%20and%20multiflora%20rose.

Invasive Plants, https://www.fs.fed.us/wildflowers/invasives/index.shtml.

“Virginia Invasive Plant Species List.” Invasive Plants Species List, 26 Feb. 2021, https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/natural-heritage/invsppdflist.

“Invasive Species and Plant Management.” Native Resource Preservation, https://www.nativeresourcepreservation.com/invasive-species-and-plant-management.