Glossary: Naturalized, Invasive and Noxious

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Posted by @SongofJoy on
The terms “invasive” and “naturalized” are used to refer to both garden plants and non-native plants growing in wild areas.

The term ”naturalized” denotes a non-native plant that can survive and reproduce indefinitely without human intervention. Naturalized plants that do not spread very far are not generally a major problem in a garden or natural habitat.

"Invasive" plants are naturalized species that can spread more widely to new areas and survive. These plants can cause disruption to the natural ecosystems. The amount of impact can vary considerably based on the species and the area being invaded.

According to Wikipedia, “noxious” is a legal term used by regulatory agencies. To be considered noxious, a plant has to be listed on a noxious weeds list. Listing is typically based upon the threat to agriculture or non-crop areas and allows agencies, such as a county agricultural commissioner, to ban, quarantine, or eradicate the plants.



 
Comments and Discussion
Thread Title Last Reply Replies
Invasive Plants are a big problem. by frostweed Feb 21, 2013 7:42 AM 6

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