What is an alien plant?

A plant that is not indigenous to the country is called an alien or exotic plant. These plants were brought into South Africa and other countries by people for specific purposes:

	Gardeners often sneak in seeds from other lands as they want to grow these plants that they have seen overseas.
	For timber - Australian blackwood.
	For shade - Oak trees.
	Food - brambles and prickley pears.
	Gardens - Lantana.
	Binding the sand - the Port Jackson was brought in and planted on the Cape Flats.
	As decorative water plants - the water hyacinth

Why do these alien plants become a problem?

Plants in their natural environment are kept in check by natural enemies. Often when taken to new environments these natural enemies are missing and so the plants can grow wildly. They take over and become a problem to the indigenous plants of that land.

What can you do?

	Plant indigenous plants and trees in your garden.
	Remove alien vegetation by joining in with a hacking group.