Are naturalized species or named varieties considered “native plants?
” • The definition of a native plant in the guidance states…”a native plant is one that occurs naturally in an area without direct or indirect human actions.” Therefore, introduced exotic species or named varieties and hybrids should not be considered native plants. Such plants would not occur naturally in an area if it were not for human activities, such as species introduction, plant breeding, and other similar cultural activities. Although the guidance encourages the collection and nursery propagation of native species, this does not mean such species become non-native once these human activities occur. Simple propagation does not alter a native species, as would intentional genetic selection for desired characteristics or other activities such as hybridizing. The guidance states that “plants selected for Federal landscape projects or federally-funded landscape projects shall be nursery-propagated, using plant materials from sources as close as practicable to the project area.” In
Answer As the definition of native plant says, plants affected by direct or indirect human actions are not native plants. Therefore naturalized/introduced species or named varieties/hybrid plants are not considered native. Native “plants selected for Federal landscape projects or federally-funded landscape projects shall be nursery propagated from sources as close as practicable to the project area”. In some cases this will require collection and propagation of seed on a project by project basis until seed/seedling commercial sources are available.
