Information About Special Advisories
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At its heart, the Plant Selector interactive database serves as a tool to match the plant selection criteria of users with plants that express these traits. There is no implied endorsement of any candidate plant retrieved by the database as a match. The goal of this academic resource, however, is to provide appropriate information that allows users to make informed and educated decisions about ornamental plant choices. Two areas that require supplemental advisories concern plants that are severe skin irritants and those which possess invasive tendencies. These warnings are indicated boldly in red adjacent to the plant name on the search results page, while further information may be found in the Plant Pages profile of each species.
1. Skin Irritants: Plants classified in this category possess substances which are readily excreted from plant tissue and may produce severe external skin irritation in a large percentage of the population.
  • While the effects of these plants are widespread and common, not all individuals react to exposure in the same manner. In fact, some people are immune to the secretions of poison ivy and poison sumac. If you are unsure of your susceptibility, it is best to treat these plants with great care. Consult printed and online literature for information about handling and removing these plants in a safe, responsible way.

2. Invasive Tendency: Plants classified in this category possess traits which allow them to invade minimally-managed habitats in Connecticut, such as forests, woodlands, open spaces, roadsides, etc. In doing so, they may threaten naturally-occuring species and have the potential to cause ecological damage to plants, animals and human interests.

You may wish to consider these traits when making plant choices, especially if you are concerned with protecting native species and ecosystems. Please remember that "Invasive Potential" refers to the negative ecological potential of plants, not their performance in a cultivated setting. Species with invasive potential may or may not behave aggressively in the garden. Finally, please realize that denoting a plant with this label does not reflect any implied discouragement or encouragement concerning the use of the species in question.

A special note to non-Connecticut users: The plants denoted in this database as having "Invasive Potential" are problematic within Connecticut and the New England region. If you plan to utilize such a species outside of this area, it is best to consult local government officials, university scientists or cooperative extension specialists for more pertinent information. A species with invasive potential in Connecticut or New England may or may not behave differently elsewhere in the United States or abroad. Furthermore, there may be species that do not carry an "Invasive Tendency" advisory, but are considered problematic outside of New England. Again, it is important to consult local authorities for appropriate information.

This database primarily utilizes the invasive species recommendations and criteria currently proposed by the George Safford Torrey Herbarium at the University of Connecticut. Changes and additions to this information may be forthcoming. Additional listings are derived from the input of scientists, professionals and others.
Criteria for Species with "Invasive Tendency"

The species:

  • Must not be native to Connecticut. **Important Note: This includes species that are native to other areas of the United States.
  • Must be naturalized in Connecticut, thus the species is reproducing and sustaining itself from year to year without intentional human cultivation.
  • Has the potential to spread quickly and widely from its original setting, establishing successfully in the environment. Often, such dispersal is aided by seeds which are easily distributed by birds, animals, wind, water, etc.
  • Is widespread generally in Connecticut or common specifically in certain regions and/or habitat types (around pond margins, for example). Such populations are composed of many individual plants.
  • Is able to out-compete other species through rapid growth and high reproduction/distribution.