Invasive Species

“Invasive” is a relative term, but our definition is very simple and pragmatic: Any non-native plant species that can escape into any non-cultivated growing site and expand its population by its own volition—fast or slow—is INVASIVE! Some are more aggressive than others, but any non-native plant that establishes itself is taking space that should belong to a native species.

Invasive species destroy habitat and food source for native insects, birds and other wildlife and cost billions of dollars each year in damage and control, and billions more in economic losses. Combine invasives with habitat loss from development and agriculture and it is clear that invasive species are a problem with devastating consequences. The fact that many species known to be invasive are still sold as agricultural or nursery stock is especially disturbing. That is a practice we would like to see stopped, and it can't happen too soon.

Our list of non-native offenders is below, some of which are officially designated as some level of State or Federal Noxious, Prohibited or Restricted weed. While it is true that some native species are considered noxious, mostly due to toxicity or aggressive growth patterns, our focus is on non-natives. Our notations:

• NX - State (in some or all MN counties) or Federal Noxious Weed
• PR - State or Federal Prohibited or Restricted species
• ED - Early Detection weed (MN Department of Agriculture)
• EDR - Early Detection weed (Ramsey County Cooperative Weed Management Area)