GMTODAY.COM SUNDAY, MAY 30, 2021 • WASHINGTON COUNTY POST • 3
G ne Gardening
Intuition may suggest all
plants that provide habitats
for wildlife and produce oxy-
gen for the atmosphere are
good no matter where they
are planted. However, non-
native plant species that are
introduced into areas across
North America can pose sig-
nificant threats to an ecosys-
tem.
Foreign plants can
wreak havoc on native plant
species and agricultural
industries. Scores of plants
are aggressively invading
certain areas of the country.
Invasive species are intro-
duced largely due to human
action, such as planting non-
native plants. Plants also
may be introduced through
boating and fishing. Wind
and rain may introduce
non-native plants to a partic-
ular region, while some
plants are introduced
through animals.
The organization Play-
CleanGo.org says that not all
non-native plants are harm-
ful and some can be benefi-
cial. But non-native plants
that take over and cause
severe damage in areas out-
side of their normal range
are considered to be inva-
sive, and efforts must be
made to keep invasives
under control.
Gaining awareness of
the pathways through which
invasives spread can help
people avoid introducing
invasive species. Some inva-
sive plants are very attrac-
tive and they may be for sale
at some garden centers, but
such plants should be avoid-
ed for the benefit of local
ecosystems. In addition,
weeds and seeds can be hid-
den in potting mixes or lawn
and garden products and
essentially sneak their way
into regions where they do
not belong.
Homeowners who learn
to recognize invasive
species can decrease their
risk of introducing such
plants to their properties.
The following are some
common invasive species:
• Garlic mustard
• Mayweed
• Norway maple
• Yellow rocket
• Australian pine
• Oxeye daisy
• Bermuda grass
• Ground ivy
• Chinese privet
• Cotton thistle
• Purple loosestrife
• Japanese honeysuckle
• English ivy
• Kudzu
• Autumn olive
• Paper mulberry
Avoid invasive plant species
