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:
Note that plants that are not deemed invasive in North Carolina may be invasive in other states or regions (e.g. Ardisia crenata). Likewise, plants that are non-invasive in some regions may be problems in North Carolina. The Plant Toolbox has suggestions for native or less problematic exotic species to use in place of invasive species.
- 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
Noxious Weeds
Noxious weeds are treated differently from invasive species. Noxious weeds are mostly agricultural or aquatic weeds. Some noxious weeds are included in the Plant Toolbox to educate users about these unwanted pest plants. To find plants in the Plant Toolbox that are listed by the NC Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services as noxious weeds, use the search term "Noxious Weed (state list)." To see the federally listed noxious weeds, search with the term "Noxious Weed (Federal list)."
