Invasive Species
Lists of Ohio’s Invasive Plants
Invasive plants are non-native species that have been introduced from other continents and spread aggressively and cause harm to natural ecosystems, agriculture, and local economies. Because they did not evolve over geological time alongside native plants, animals, and soils, they often lack natural predators or controls, allowing them to out-compete native species, reduce biodiversity, and alter soil and water conditions. Once established, invasive plants can create long-term management challenges and significantly change how ecosystems function.
This page provides resources to help landowners, land managers, and community members identify invasive plants, understand their impacts, and learn effective prevention and control strategies. By increasing awareness and sharing practical tools, we can work together to limit the spread of invasive species and support the restoration of native habitats, protecting our region’s natural landscapes and ecological history.
Watch this Ohio Channel Video about Invasive Plants
This locally produced PBS program features in the Director of Ohio Invasive Plants Council and the Land Manager of Glen Helen Nature Preserve near Springfield, Ohio.
The Nature in My Backyard website has collected information about invasive plants.
Look up information about any North American plant, both native and non-native, with these databases
bplant.org is a website to help you learn about plants and their ecology and distribution, with an eye towards preserving, protecting, and restoring biodiversity.
Click on the map to the left to get to the interactive map which outlines the specific ecoregions of Ohio. Enter your specific address and find your ecoregion, along with a list of plants that grow there. The plant list includes both native and non-native species. Click through to the range map to learn more about each species.
