Most of the plants that grow in disturbed places -- highway shoulders, levees, trails, urban areas, gardens --
are not native. In addition, some non-native plants have invaded otherwise undisturbed environments
such as grasslands and woodlands -- those are the most despised because they can displace native plants.

Definition: The term “exotic” means the plant has been introduced, intentionally or not. I tend
to call any exotic plant a “weed,” especially if it is widespread. Others use that term more
cautiously, reserving it for plants they dislike. Some weeds are specific to certain environments,
while some species such as Black Mustard and Bull Thistle can be found everywhere. One Bay
Area environment, chapparal, is hostile to most invaders and supports almost exclusively native species.

We would prefer to find native plants and wildflowers in these places, but failing that, we need to understand
and record what is actually taking place. This is a gallery of the ugly and the unloved. Maybe it's good to
take a closer look. Hate them or hate to love them, some of these exotics are beautiful in their own way.

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