How do you say it? Invasive Plant versus Noxious Weed

The terms "invasive plant" and "noxious weed" mean the same thing and can be used interchangeably. However, the term noxious weed is used in the BC Weed Control Act and is defined as:

“Noxious weeds are typically non-native plants that have been introduced to British Columbia without the insect predators and plant pathogens that help keep them in check in their native habitats. For this reason and because of their aggressive growth, these alien plants can be highly destructive, competitive and difficult to control. The B.C. Weed Control Act imposes a duty on all land occupiers to control designated noxious plants.”

http://www.agf.gov.bc.ca/cropprot/noxious.htm

The terms invasive plant, or invasive alien plant, are also defined as non-native species introduced without the biological control agents that keep them in check in their native habitats. This lack of natural predators provides the plants with the ability to invade both disturbed and undisturbed habitats to the exclusion of native plants or planted crops. The use of the term invasive plant is increasing as seen in the literature, provincial committee names and in educational material.

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Northwest Invasive Plant Council
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