Gardening Jargon – invasive

I use to think Invasive means plant or vines which grow aggressively and make other plants compete for nutrients and water But, it not all true

Attribute of Invasive

• Grow aggressively
• Spread rampantly
• Displaces native !

Invasive are difficult to control and are able to out compete the native plants, which in turn  can impact wild life habitat by providing poor  nesting options for birds, food and some are poisonous too.  They are also known as  “weed pest”. Sounds like a big loss for ecosystem!

Invasive in San Diego [Zone 10]

• Arundo donax – Giant Reed
• Arctotheca calendula – Cape Weed
• Chrysanthemum coronarium – Garland Daisy, Crown Daisy
• Carpobrotus edulis, Carpobrotus chilensis – Hottentot Fig, Highway Iceplant,Sea Fig (C. chilensis)Ailanthus altissima – Tree of Heaven
• Cortaderia selloana – Pampas Grass [ Also, it is an ornamental grass ]
• Cytisus scoparius
• Ailanthus altissima – Tree of heaven
• Cheat Grass
• Yellow star thistle
• Musk thistle (all weedy annuals)

I am still working on my list and will update it regularly.

Do share invasive plant list with area and it would be great if you can share pictures of them. Your knowledge will definitely help others who are trying their hands on gardening in your Zone.

For Invasive there is a saying – ” You give them inch they will take acres”

Happy Gardening!

Discussion in community/cranemaker :

Invasive weeds degrade habitat for wildlife and recreation. Annual and biennial noxious or invasive weeds are easy to eradicate with persistent removal to prevent seeds. Perennial weeds such as Canada thistle, bindweed, and woody plants are much more difficult to manage than annuals and biennials

Garlic mustard, Canada thistle, buckthorn, teasel, burdock, and Phragmites are all invasive near Chicago and eastward.