Just dodged the invasive bullet recently when I asked for ID of a plant growing very well at the San Diego Safari Park. I started an ID thread, and only accidently learned the plant was very invasive in California & Australia!

The thread "What is this plant at San Diego Zoo Safari Park?" in Plant ID forum

I came a hair from growing Stinknet (seen at the Safari Park in May).
If Dirtdorphins had not questioned about seeds, I wouldn't have thought to
check its invasiveness.

But after a short search, I found several alarming articles, including a 10yr project in California to control if not eradicate it!
https://www.cal-ipc.org/?s=sti...

Considering they were in full bloom 2 months ago, they've probably
already gone to seed & in the wind.

I looked for an Invasive Forum, but only found several threads.

I think it would be very good to have a forum with a list of invasive species by state, and ask everyone to consult it before growing a plant, and at least consider the potential damage it could cause if allowed to grow out of control.

What do you think about having an Invasive Species Info forum???

BTW, full disclosure, I have several plants which probably are considered "invasive"
somewhere else, but are no problem in my garden, and haven't seen growing outside my garden.

On the other hand, there are some like Stinknet that are so prolific that they harm the environment, and should not be allowed to proliferate, at least here in Southern California. Maybe it's safe in colder wetter climates (?)
Check first.

Communication is important, especially for a new gardener as myself. Any means of disseminating CORRECT information to the unknowing is a great thing in my book.
I would like to add that there is a website: https://www.invasive.org/speci... that is from the USDA and University of Georgia that I believe is an invaluable tool for just such information. The website is difficult to navigate, but the information is there.

Ron

Think it would be a great idea

What overwhelming support!

It's a can of worms....just hope everyone will make good choices.

I'm not sure a forum would be the best option for what you're suggesting, Cal - but an article in the 'Learning Library' with lists of invasive species by state, photos of the plants, and other information would certainly be useful.

Yeah, thought maybe a thread instead of a forum.

Maybe an article, but a thread would be better, imho, as it gets updated
and those who check it will get updates unless they choose unwatch.

You have to be proactive & search for an article vs a thread.

Doesn't seem to be a very popular subject.

No one wants to find out their favorite plant is a potential threat to
the environment, even me.

Cal, while I applaud your enthusiasm for this project I can't but notice that this information is so widely available that a forum here would likely be inadequate. Do an internet search for "invasive plant lists by state" and you've got extensive lists and descriptions from numerous reliable and extensive government, environmental, horticultural sources from all over the country.

Additionally, there is widespread misuse by many gardeners — and especially amateurs — of the word "invasive." On the NGA site there is also frequent misunderstanding that what is invasive in one region isn't necessary so in another and I fear that a forum here would serve more to create confusion than otherwise.

Not meaning to be a grinch about your idea. I just think this is a case of trying to reinvent the wheel when what's already available is rolling along quite efficiently.

For what it's worth, I have been adding comments to the database indicating which plants are invasive in our climate. This seems like the most (potentially) useful place to share that information. To shed light on things, and avoid the sort of confusion that Zoë has referred to (which is the reason there's no check box for "invasive species" in the database).

This behavior is so incredibly location dependent (a species which is invasive in one place will be native to another, in most cases, pretty much by definition). The invasive plants in our arid winter rainfall, coastal zone 11 climate are clearly going to be different from those found in colder climates and those with more rainfall. A whole bunch of cacti that are native to this part of the world are considered noxious weeds in Australia. It gets messy.

@NMoasis @Baja_Costero

Thanks for the input. Info is available if anyone is proactive or curious enough to
search for it, though I doubt many if not most are like me, and had to trip over it
first.

A thread will make it available for everyone who wants to check links for their area.
Not a popular topic, I'm sure, but really important for everyone to look before they leap.

I didn't realize how much negative impact invasive plants can have on agriculture & native flora & fauna.

An article would be good, and info in the DB, too, but a thread, "Invasive Plants Central" would keep it more visible "above the fold".

I'm just gathering info links, and getting help from the conservation specialist
at the San Diego Safari Park.

Hope to have the thread up & running by Monday if not sooner.

If you have not chosen a place for your thread may I suggest the Native Habitat Form
It seems it would fit right in: Non native invasive species Info

a good discussion: what does Not fit into a ''native '' habitat
Maybe an additional: thread what invasive do you battle in your area.

gardengus said: If you have not chosen a place for your thread may I suggest the Native Habitat Form
It seems it would fit right in: Non native invasive species Info

a good discussion: what does Not fit into a ''native '' habitat
Maybe an additional: thread what invasive do you battle in your area.

Thanks, Cinda. I'll take it into consideration.