Invasive Plant Species Field Guide
Invasive Plant Species Field Guide
Invasive exotic plants are defined as those who can sustain themselves outside their natural range, without human help, and are disrupting native plant communities. According to the University of South Florida, as many as one-third of the wild plants in Florida are exotic. These plants do not have a natural check on their growth so they can spread rapidly and are a major source of habitat loss. They may also affect native ecosystems by altering fire frequency, and aquatic invasives often disrupt water flow, impeding navigation and flood control. Management of exotics is costing taxpayers millions of dollars each year. You can help save money and the environment by becoming more aware of this problem. Knowing which plants are invasive will help you avoid planting them in your yard and to remove them when found. Although the plant may not be threat where you live, seeds have been known to travel vast distances and they could eventually travel to a place where it can become a serious problem. You should especially be on the lookout for Category 1 and 2 invasives as is determined by the Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council.
- Category 1 invasives are very invasive and are known to displace native plant species and alter natural plant communities.
- Category 2 invasives are plants that are increasing in number, but have not yet damaged natural ecosystems to the extent of Category 1 species.
To learn more visit the Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council or Myakka River State Park’s websites.
Produced by: Topher Lawton, Faith Lobell, and Molly Burges in Professor Meg Lowman’s Conservation Biology class
Special thanks to Myakka River State Park, Sarasota County, and TREE Foundation