Why does the Conservation Commission prefer native plants to non-native invasive plants?
The Conservation Commission understands that native ecological communities across Brookline are a vital resource for Brookline, both for its residents and for the wildlife that inhabits this area. Certain non-native invasive plants have been disrupting natural areas in Brookline and causing a loss of native biodiversity. What are native plants? “Native” or “indigenous” plants are defined as those that evolved in our area and in similar habitats and were growing here before the first European contacts with North America. Plants that people call “wild flowers” may be native or non-native plants. For example, Pink Lady Slipper, Canada Mayflower, and Wintergreen are native plants of Massachusetts forests. Certain kinds of violets and asters are native plants, while other kinds of violets and asters found in our woods are non-native. Native plants can survive and establish new plants without intervention by humans. Some native plants are quite adaptable, and can survive human intervention.
