a species that is not native to a habitat or ecosystem and, due to various factors such as habitat alteration or competition, is able to displace other, native species from that habitat
A plant that establishes easily and spreads aggressively into new areas and environments, often with detrimental effects on native plant species.
A plant that spreads quickly, either by seeds or roots, and chokes out other plants.
A plant that moves in and takes over an ecosystem to the detriment of other species (often the result of environmental manipulation).
Any plant which threatens to overwhelm existing plant species by rampant growth and/or preventing survival of existing plants.
A vigorously growing plant that will quickly overwhelm native or slower growing plants.
A plant that invades habitat beyond where it was planted. Invasive weeds are usually nonnative (exotic). Melaleuca is considered invasive because it has invaded marshes and pine flatwoods, and displaced (outcompeted) native vegetation in the process.