Did you know that most states have an invasive plant list: http://plants.usda.gov/java/noxiousDriver What might not be invasive in your state will take over native flora and fauna in other states. Take the air potato for instance. It is very invasive in Florida, and my own home state of Louisiana: http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/AG112 Kudzu is another extremely invasive plant in the Southeast, but some people are finding innovative uses for this vine: http://www.maxshores.com/kudzu/ But it is not just the South and it is not just vines that are a problem. California has several different thistles that are on their invasive plant list, plus a list of other plants and vines that is about a mile long, including a plant as innocent as Baby's Breath. So go to the first link and check out your state, it just might surprise you what is considered invasive.
Well, I have morning glories, horsenettle, bindweed and some thistles and quackgrass. I only planted the morning glories. You can buy the seeds here not so I thought they were off the list. I have many, many morning glories coming up everywhere this year. They just sort of spread from last year. They used to outlaw them because they got in the cotton fields. But, they don't raise as much cotton now as they did at one time. Bindweed grows everywhere as does horsenettle. You don't have to plant those. Horsenettle is pretty but you can't get rid of it. For everyone you cut it seems a dozen more grow. Some of the things on the list I've never heard of though. Oh, well, I guess one person's flower is another person's noxious weed. dooley
Before I became dissabled I worked for the Dept of Agriculture here in AZ. There are lots of weeds and plants the state doesn't allow. Dooley, the last I knew morning glories were still on the list. Stores are not supposed to sell the seeds but some do. I can't tell you how many times I have traded plants and brought in restricted plants without knowing it.(before I worked there) I love morning glories. If they are off the list I will be growing some myself.
We have the Chinese Tallow tree in Louisiana, we call it the popcorn tree. It reseeds as quickly as popcorn pops. I still have several to cut on my property. It was introduced as a fast growing shade tree and people in Louisiana bought them like crazy. Now they are a huge problem.
I just got finished chucking out the first one usda. This is a very neat site. Thanks for posting it.
The invasive plant problem is exactly why some states and countries will not allow seeds to come in from other places. Why some seed/plant catalogs in the States have certain states they can not ship to. When planning on doing a seed swap, be sure to check out what is a problem in your state or country and the area you plan on sending your seeds to.
