Native plant

Native plants are those plants endemic to a region or even a very small area. These plants are typically well suited to the conditions in the area and have developed an equilibrium with pests, pollinators, and nutrient conditions.

Non-native species are plants that have been imported to the area by man or animals that travel long distances carrying seeds.

Invasive plants are non-natives that, once introduced, out compete native plants. The non-natives may be resistant to the local pests. Or local conditions might have changed rapidly (ex, due to soil disturbance or grazing) in a way that benefits the invasive species. Some well known invasive species are Yellow Star thistle in California and Kudzu in Georgia.