Native Plant Resources
Imagine my shock after four years of research as a native plant enthusiast, when I was suddenly informed that Echinacea Purpurea (Purple Coneflower - the subject of my 'Reviving Native Plants' series) was not native to Ontario! While a huge number of sources online claim it's native to the region, it's actually considered a near-native plant in this province. So, I want to discuss definitions, as well as where we get our information from. You may be surprised to learn there is no official definition of native plants, so I've paraphrased the most commonly agreed upon characteristics of native plants from sources I trust below (I've also received feedback on these definitions from sources I trust).
You can also find links below to many valuable and trusted sources for Native Plant Gardening and Invasive Species Removal resources for Ontario and Canada.
Native Plants
Native plants are long-standing local species (not introduced by humans) that developed and adapted to a specific environment alongside the local wildlife, supporting the biodiversity and harmony of a healthy ecosystem. They are the root of the food chain and *essential* for providing the specific nutrients and shelter local wildlife needs to survive.
Near-Native Plants
Near-native plants are similar to native plants, as long-standing local species from a neighbouring region, supporting the biodiversity and harmony of a healthy ecosystem in nearby regions, but not essential to the survival of a neighbouring regions wildlife. They can be especially beneficial to species with a large range overlapping multiple regions, or migratory species.
Invasive plants
Invasive plants are non-native species (introduced to a region by humans or wildlife) that actively do harm to local ecosystems, spreading aggressively, to choke out native plants, and are very difficult to remove. Some chemically change the soil making it uninhabitable to native plants, replacing biodiversity with monocultures that local wildlife can’t live on, and causing widespread ecological damage throughout ecosystems.
Links
Ontario Invasive Plants Council
An easy guide on invasive plants to remove, and native or non-invasives to plant in their place.
Canadian Wildlife Federation
Native plant directory, where to buy, and plant identification resources.
Canadensys
A database of vascular plants in Canada, with distribution, taxonomy, synonyms, and more.
Canadian Wildlife Federation
Record plant sightings and connect with experts who can identify the organisms you observe.
Invasives Canada
Supporting gardeners and the horticultural industry’s transition to become invasive free.
World Wildlife Fund Canada
A list of botanical terminology to help differentiate native, near-native, ornamental, and invasive plants.
