What is a Native?

It occurs to me that some might stumble on this blog seeking an explanation of what we mean by native plants. The short answer is that most native plant groups in the United States define a native plant as one that was growing in the region prior to the arrival of European settlement.

This is different from a plant that is naturalized. We all are familiar with plants that we see growing wild along the roadside or in the woods or meadows of undeveloped land. However, many of these plants are, in fact, exotics that have escaped from garden cultivation. Before they were growing in the wild, some well meaning individual or nurseryman imported these plants to this country from other regions such as Europe (English Ivy), Asia (Privet and Kudzu), or Latin America (Sorrel also known as Oxalis).


In addition to plants that are found in wild areas, some native species have been cultivated to reinforce specific characteristics. Most often today, this is achieved through cloning of an especially attractive or hardy individual plant. While these plants are great for gardeners, they do not have the genetic diversity of wild plants. Whenever we select for particular characteristics whether through cloning or more traditional methods of breeding, we risk the possibility of also reinforcing negative characteristics that might remain recessive in a natural match. Such plants may be susceptible to a whole host of unanticipated problems. Temple Grandin provides some humorous and tragic examples of this in her book Animals in Translation.

Why does this matter?
Native plants have evolved over millennia in specific regions, and are a part of an interdependent ecosystem. Because of this they are uniquely adapted to that region’s climate (both temperature and rainfall), and the soils and geology. Other organisms in the region have also evolved to depend on these plants. Wildlife depends on specific fruits for food and specific insects have evolved to be able to pollinate particular plants.

One of the problems with imported or “exotic” plants is that a few have become highly invasive. Because they out compete the local native plants, they are altering the natural environment. The natural controls that would have kept these plants in check, such as disease and insects, are not present in their new environment. Continued use of these plants in gardens and planted landscapes, and the subsequent escape to wild areas, increases the risk to native flora and fauna. Look at the Georgia Exotic Pest Plant Council website for more information on this topic.

Benefits of Natives
If properly matched with site conditions, native plants will require very little maintenance, such as pruning, feeding, and protection with insecticides, fungicides, etc. Also, they are likely to be more drought and disease tolerant than many exotic plants. As mentioned, native plants provide a diverse and sometimes essential food and shelter for wildlife, and promote biodiversity.

Five Things You Can Do

• Learn about native plants and the natural communities where they grow
  
• Buy only nursery propagated plant material
  
• Don’t take native plants from wild areas unless the area is scheduled for destruction due to development, and you have the permission of the landowner
  
• Protect native plant and natural habitat areas
  
• Plant locally native plant species wherever possible

Sources for native plants in the Southeast from the Georgia Native Plant Society website.