There are many different technical and non-technical definitions of the term "Invasive," and it is used differently by various organizations. As a result, different organizations label different plants as invasive. Below is a list of the sites that we reference when deciding whether to tag a plant as "Invasive" in the Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox. If a plant is listed on at least three of these sites we tag it as invasive. Our goal is to steer gardeners away from planting plants that may become a problem for them, their neighbors, or the environment.
Tagging Plants as Invasive
The following sites were consulted:- NC State Extension Horticulture Invasive Species Assessment
- NC State Extension Forestry and Environmental Resources
- NC Forest Service Invasive Plants
- The Invasive Plant Atlas of the United States (a collaborative project between the National Park Service and the University of Georgia Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health).
- North Carolina Native Plant Society and NC Invasive Plant Council
