Calling all green thumbs!
Join us on a journey to cover key plant terminology from A-Z, and learn why these terms are important for understanding invasive species. Today, we will cover our ABC’s.
Alien species
Alien species: definition
A species that is introduced to a region where it is not native, often by human activity.
How this term applies to invasives
Orange hawkweed (Hieracium aurantiacum L.) was introduced intentionally by humans to the Sea to Sky region as an ornamental garden plant.
Allelopathic
Allelopathic: definition
Species that release chemicals that suppress the growth of other plants. This gives them a competitive advantage and helps them dominate the ecosystem.
How this term applies to invasives
Spotted knapweed (Centaurea stoebe) releases a chemical called catechin into the soil, which inhibits the root growth of native plants. This displaces native grassland and open forest species, reduces forage for wildlife, and alters soil microbes.
Benthic Barrier
Benthic barrier: definition
A physical barrier (often made of fabric or plastic) placed on the bottom of a waterbody to restrict the growth of unwanted plants.
How this term applies to invasives
Benthic barriers are used to prevent aquatic invasive plants from growing by blocking sunlight. This is used to control curled pondweed (Potamogeton crispus) and yellow flag iris (Iris pseudacorus).
Biennial
Biennial: definition
A plant that completes its life cycle in two years:
- Year 1: Grows leaves and stores energy.
- Year 2: Flowers, produces seeds, then dies.
How this term applies to invasives
Several invasive plants in the region are biennials: common burdock (Arctium minus), tansy ragwort (Senecio jacobaea), Scotch thistle (Onopordum acanthium), and Canada thistle (Cirsium arvense).
Crown root
Crown root: definition
The part of the plant at the soil surface where roots and shoots meet.
How this term applies to invasives
Many invasive plants are particularly successful because they have strong, resilient crowns that can resprout after cutting, fire, or other disturbances. This allows invasive species to persist and spread aggressively. Some examples are eggleaf spurge (Euphorbia oblongata), sweet fennel (Foeniculum vulgare), and cypress spurge (Euphorbia cyparissias).
Canes
Canes: definition
Canes are long, flexible, and often woody stems or shoots that grow from certain plants, typically shrubs or vines. They can be either annual or perennial and sometimes have the ability to root at their nodes when they touch the ground, helping the plant spread vegetatively.
How this term applies to invasives
Japanese knotweed (Fallopia japonica) has thick, bamboo-like canes/stems that emerge from underground rhizomes. These canes form dense stands that crowd out native vegetation by shading and monopolizing resources.
Want to learn more?
- Check out the rest of the Green Thumb’s Glossary!
- Explore the difference between Annual, Biennial, and Perennial Plants
- Learn more about how plants work
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