Exotic Vegetation
What is an exotic plant?
An exotic plant is a plant that has been introduced to an area outside its native range. Often, when people come to visit or settle in Florida, they purposefully bring seeds of their favorite plants with them from other places. Other times, exotic species are transported accidentally, where seeds or pieces of a vegetatively reproducing plant are unknowingly attached to cars, boats, or even hiking boot shoes. Many of these exotic species thrive Florida's subtropical climate, with warm weather, infrequent freezes, and plentiful rain. Over time, if the introduced species cultivate and grow wild in Florida, they are considered to be naturalized species.
Are all exotic plants a problem?
Not all exotic species cause a problem. In fact, most naturalized species live in Florida without causing significant damage. However, some exotic species do not have natural competition in Florida. As a result, they grow rapidly, taking over natural vegetation and disrupting the habitat and food sources for native wildlife. Florida spends millions of dollars combating invasive vegetation each year.
Florida's invasive exotic wetland plants
You can find more information about exotic wetland plants from these sources: