- Home
- Science & Data
- Environmental Science
- Species of Special Interest
- Non-Native, Invasive Plant Species
Non-native, invasive plant species are a problem and have the potential to wreak havoc on our natural biotic communities. Many of us have non-native plants in our homes and
Non-native species are introduced for a variety of reasons, either for their ornamental nature, as a potential forage crop, or just plain accidentally. However, problems arise when these species are able to take root and reproduce. Most of the time these pest plants are free from the competition and predation of their native lands, and they are able to reproduce prolifically without any check on their expansion. These rapidly expanding pest plants become invasive, spreading to adjacent lands and displacing native species.
The Suwannee River Water Management District is committed to actively monitoring and treating the most noxious non-native, invasive plants. This is extremely important to maintain the natural communities on District lands and to prevent the further spread of these pest plants to adjacent private and public lands. There are multiple resources available to private landowners for identifying and controlling noxious weeds on their property. There are also resources for discovering Florida's native plants, and the native species that are available for home landscapes.
Below is a list of the non-native, invasive plants the District is actively monitoring:
*Visit FLEPPC's website (Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council Website) for a complete list of Category I & II pest plants.