California alone is home to 4,200 native plant species, and is recognized internationally as a "biodiversity hotspot." Approximately 1,800 non-native plants also grow in the wild in California. Here’s a short list of just some of the invasive plants in California alone.
Data is from the USDA. NAL. National Invasive Species Information Center.
It’s strange that this list does not include three major invasive plants: ice plant [pictured here, Mesembryanthemum ssp.], pampas grass, [Cortaderia selloana], and Periwinkle [Vinca ssp.].
The photo on the left shows how ice plant is invading the native Buckwheat [Eriogonum spp.] The photograph on the right shows a native lupine [Lupinus spp. and subtle red hills covered almost completely by ice plant. Sadly, ice plant was introduced to help stabilize sand dunes. It has escaped from captivity and has spread with a vengeance.
NOTE: "3:1 rule: For every year you delay controlling an invasive plant infestation, it will take three years to regain control."
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