Invasive Alien Plants

It's no joke. Invasive plants that are not native to Canada are causing significant damage to our natural areas every year. Some of these plants have been brought into Canada from other places on purpose, for horticultural or agricultural purposes. Others have come in by accident, in soil or other material.

We have approximately 3200 species of native plants in Canada, and another 800 alien species that have "Naturalized", or become accustomed to living outside of cultivation. For the most part these aliens live in disturbed areas or are urban weeds. A few, though, are significant invaders of intact natural ecosystems.

Botanical gardens, arboreta, and networks like the Canadian Botanical Conservation Network have been part of the growing awareness of the damage caused by invasive species.

Return to the CBCN Invasive Plants Pages