Frequently Asked Questions

What are non-native plants?
These are plants that are growing outside their natural range and place of origin. 

Why do non-native plants become invasive?
These plants have no natural controls to limit their spread, such as herbivorous mammals and insects that feed upon them or diseases and fungi that cause their demise. Because of this, they outcompete native plant species for soil nutrients, moisture, light, and space. They may also produce an abundance of seeds which have high germination rates and are efficiently spread by wind, water, wildlife and human activities.

How did these plants get here?  
They were either brought here deliberately, for use in erosion control for highway rights-of-way, livestock forage, and yard landscapes, or accidentally, in soil or containers of imported plants. They also may arrive in bilge water from foreign ships that illegally dump this waste into U.S. waters.
 
Why are non-natives a problem? 
Non-native invasive plants displace native species, reduce biodiversity, and can prevent access by native wildlife to the food (leaves, fruits, seeds, etc.) that they need for proper nutrition. They may be fine for wildlife in their countries of origin, but not for the native species of areas in which they’ve been introduced. Native wildlife which co-evolved over the millennia in specific ecosystems, require the plants in those habitats to meet their nutritional needs.

Do non-native plants harm our native wildlife?
Yes. By providing the wrong diet, they can cause lowered immunity in the wildlife species, thereby making them susceptible to diseases. There have also been cases where native bird species died outright from feeding on non-native invasive plants.

What can be done to reduce non-native plants?
First, do not buy them or plant them in your yard. If they have been planted by a previous owner or resident, or were spread to your yard in fill soil, mulch or other means, get rid of them and replace them with native plants.

How can non-native invasive plants be removed?
There are a number of ways to deal with these plants, from applied herbivory (grazing animals), manual, mechanical, and chemical herbicide treatment methods. Different species may require different methods and optimum times of the year for control treatments. Contact RestoraFlora for help in these areas.