Definitions
Invasive Plant and Native Landscaping Glossary
When you are pulling honeysuckle or planning a native garden, you will run into terms that might be unfamiliar. Here are plain-language definitions of the words and concepts that matter most to Central Ohio landowners and volunteers.
Plant Growth and Structure
Invasive Species
A plant that arrived in a region from somewhere else (often another country) and spreads aggressively, crowding out native plants and damaging ecosystems. Invasive species usually thrive because they have no natural predators or diseases to control them here. Common examples in Central Ohio include honeysuckle, garlic mustard, and Japanese knotweed.
Native Plant
A plant that grew naturally in Central Ohio before European settlement. Natives evolved here over thousands of years and are adapted to our soil, moisture, and climate. Native plants are usually better for local wildlife, need less water once established, and are often easier to grow than plants from elsewhere.
Naturalized
A plant that originally came from another region but has been growing wild in Central Ohio long enough that it now spreads and survives on its own without human help. A naturalized plant can be good for wildlife and landscaping, but it is not native. Common dandelions are one example.
Noxious Weed
A plant that a state or local government has officially declared harmful to agriculture, natural areas, or human health. Ohio's noxious weed list includes species like wild parsnip (which causes skin burns) and purple loosestrife. Landowners may be required by law to control them.
Cultivar
A plant variety created and selected by people (the word comes from "cultivated variety"). Cultivars are bred for specific traits like flower color, size, or hardiness. For example, a purple coneflower cultivar might flower all summer, while the wild native version blooms for a shorter time.
Rhizome
An underground stem that grows horizontally through the soil and can produce new plant shoots. Plants with rhizomes spread sideways and are hard to kill, because you must dig out the entire rhizome to stop regrowth. Japanese knotweed and some native ferns spread by rhizomes.
Biennial
A plant that takes two years to complete its life cycle. In the first year, it grows leaves close to the ground (a rosette). In the second year, it flowers, produces seeds, and dies. Garlic mustard is a biennial. Knowing this helps with control, because you can pull them in year one before they flower.
Rosette
A circular cluster of leaves growing tightly together at ground level, like a flower made of leaves. Young biennial plants often grow as rosettes in their first year before sending up a flower stalk in year two. You can spot and pull many invasives while they are still in the rosette stage.
Spring Ephemeral
A wildflower that blooms early in spring, then dies back and disappears by mid-summer. Trilliums, bloodroot, and Virginia bluebells are spring ephemerals native to Central Ohio. They are prized in native shade gardens because they flower before trees leaf out and block the sunlight.
Mycorrhizae
Tiny fungi that live in partnership with plant roots, helping them absorb water and nutrients from the soil. In return, the plant shares sugars it makes from sunlight. Most healthy plants have mycorrhizae, which are especially important for native plants and are often damaged by heavy tilling or certain herbicides.
Ecology and Management
Monoculture
A landscape planted with only one type of plant, or an area where one invasive species dominates. A monoculture is less resilient than diverse planting, because pests and diseases spread easily and there is less food and shelter for wildlife. Many invasive plants create dense monocultures that crowd out everything else.
Seed Bank
The supply of seeds in the soil from years past that can still sprout when conditions are right. An invasive plant's seed bank might hold huge numbers of seeds that germinate if you disturb the soil or create bare patches. This is why removing invasives often requires follow-up treatments over several years.
Allelopathy
When a plant releases chemicals that slow down or kill other plants growing nearby. Some invasives, like garlic mustard, use allelopathy to suppress competition. This chemical effect makes invaded areas harder to replant with natives, because the invasive's compounds can linger.
Riparian
The land along rivers, streams, and wetlands where water and land meet. Riparian areas are crucial because they filter water, reduce erosion, and provide habitat. Native plants along streambanks in Central Ohio are especially important for stopping invasives from spreading along water.
Watershed
The area of land where all water drains toward a single river or stream. Central Ohio's Upper Scioto watershed includes 17 counties and thousands of creeks and streams. What happens upstream affects water quality downstream, so invasive control anywhere in the watershed helps protect the whole region.
Invasive Management Tools
Cut-and-Treat
A method of controlling invasive plants where you cut them down and immediately apply herbicide to the fresh cut stump. This prevents regrowth and avoids spraying nearby plants. It works best on woody invasives, especially in small patches or near desirable plants.
Basal Bark Treatment
Applying herbicide to the lower bark of an invasive shrub or tree, usually in late fall or early spring. The herbicide soaks through the bark and kills the plant from inside. This method avoids cutting, is less messy than foliar spray, and works on woody plants like honeysuckle and autumn olive.
Foliar Herbicide
An herbicide sprayed directly on the leaves of a plant. The leaves absorb the chemical, and it travels down into the roots to kill the whole plant. Foliar spraying is useful for larger infestations and leafy invasives, but it affects any plant the spray touches, so care is needed near natives.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between a native plant and a naturalized plant?
A native plant grew naturally in Central Ohio before European settlement. A naturalized plant arrived from somewhere else but has established itself and now grows wild here without human help. Both can be good for landscaping, but natives are usually better for local wildlife and soil health.
Do I have to use herbicides to control invasives?
No. Many invasives, especially young plants or those in small patches, can be pulled by hand or cut down repeatedly. Digging out roots works well for plants with rhizomes. Herbicides are most useful for large areas or species that keep coming back quickly. The right method depends on the plant, the size of your patch, and your time.
Why should I care about invasive plants on my property?
Invasive plants crowd out natives that wildlife depend on for food and shelter. They can degrade soil, spread to neighbors' land, and make it hard to grow what you want. Removing them and replanting natives improves your yard's health and helps the whole watershed.
For more on specific invasive plants in Central Ohio, visit our species guide. To get started with native plants, see our native alternatives section.