Invasive Plants - Tumblr Posts

The thing on my mind right now is how performative people are about native plants and what a shallow understanding of native vs. invasive so many people have. Can't see one post where someone plants some pretty non-natives in their garden without everyone in the comments insisting they tear them up immediately and replace them with natives RIGHT NOW.

Non-native plants are not inherently damaging or invasive. Especially not when CONTAINED IN A GARDEN. Invasive species still deserve humanity and mercy. Non-native plants are not inherently a threat as MOST are not well-adapted enough to become naturalized or even survive without human interference. NATIVE PLANTS CAN STILL BE AGGRESSIVE AND DAMAGING TO OTHER SPECIES. Yelling at some person with a wisteria tree or some non-natives in their garden does ultimately nothing but make some stranger upset for enjoying their own space.

Open spaces should be rewilded. Native species are beneficial when planted in their natural range, yes. But, non-natives are not innately damaging or evil and do not need to be killed with fire on sight.

Hop Trefoil Clover

Trifolium campestre

This species of trifolium is not native to the United States, its native range is in Europe and Western Asia, but it has now been introduced in some areas of the US due to being grown for fodder and escaping. However, it's not yet listed as an invasive species here.

June 17th, 2023

Weldon Spring, St. Charles County, Missouri, USA

Olivia R. Myers

@oliviarosaline