Invasive plants are all around Florida. Almost 1/3 of all plant species in Florida have been introduced from other regions of the world. These introduced plants are often called non-native or exotic. Plants that are part of the original Florida are called Native. Some exotic plants become pests, outgrowing native plants by overrunning our natural areas. These are known as invasive exotic plants or invasive alien plants. Of all of the exotic plants in Florida, only 10% have become invasive. Some invasive exotic plants have been invited to Florida for landscaping or agricultural purposes, while others have arrived as uninvited hitchhikers in shipments from overseas.
When exotic plants overrun native habitats, they can change soil, water, nutrient and fire cycles that are the lifeblood of our natural areas. These changes in turn cause a decrease in biodiversity, a loss of rare plants and a lack of food and shelter for native wildlife.
To find this cache, use the information below to determine which invasive exotic is being described.
This invasive forms dense stands that exclude nearly all other vegetation. It has yellow-green leaf blades up to 3 feet tall with rough, cutting edges. The leaves mid-rib (main vein) is off center. It is ranked as one of the world's 10 worst weeds.