Bureau of Land Management Learning Landscapes

What's Wrong With This Picture?

Invasive Weeds: A Growing Pain

Many weeds have pretty flowers but they are a growing pain. They crowd out native plants, harm animal habitats and increase erosion.

What is a Weed?

Generally, the term weed is used to describe any plant that is unwanted and grows or spreads aggressively. The term exotic weed describes an invasive unwanted non-native plant. Terms such as invasive weed or noxious weed are used somewhat interchangeably to refer to weeds that infest large areas or cause economic and ecological damage to an area. The term "noxious" weed has legal ramifications in some states that maintain official lists of noxious weeds. What is considered a weed in one area may not be a weed in another.

Last Updated: June 2006