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Invasive species are non-native organisms that cause harm to the environment, economy, or human health and can have serious impacts on native ecosystems. There are 173 invasive or non-native plant species at Kings Mountain National Military Park accounting for approximately 16% of all known vascular plant species in the park. Invasive plant species can.
Kings Mountain National Military Park works to control the spread of invasives through manual removal, chemical control, and prescribed burns. Managing the invasive species is a complex task that requires a lot of work and careful planning. The best method is by preventing their introduction or spread from happening in the first place. You can learn more about success stories in the fight against invasive species in the national parks here. 
NPS Photo Where to find it: Typically prefers damp, shady conditions, but can tolerate full sun and various soil conditions. It is often found in disturbed areas like floodplains, stream banks, and moist woodlands Potential Harm: It can reduce the growth and flowering of native species, suppress native plant, alter and suppress insect communities, slow plant succession, and alter nutrient cycling. Pollination Season: Late Summer to Early Fall Rarity: Abundant Fun Fact: Accidentally introduced into the United States in Tennessee around 1919 as a result of being used as a packing material in shipments of porcelain from China. 
Wikimedia (left) and NPS photo (right) Where to find it: Moist, well-drained areas such as wooded riparian areas. Chinese privet prefers more either full sun or part sun, while European Privet is more shade tolerant. Potential Harm: Outcompetes native plant species and forms dense thickets that block sunlight and other resources. Can reduce the resources available to native wildlife. Pollination Season: Late Spring to Early Summer Rarity: Uncommon Fun Fact: Chinese privet is rated as one of the worst invasive plant species in the southeastern United States by the USDA. 
NPS Where to find it: Typically found areas in that have been disturbed, such as roadsides or floodplains, though it is also found in forests when the canopy has been opened by logging or fallen trees. Potential Harm: It rapidly and outcompetes native plants for sunlight and nutrients. Eventually, it forms a dense thicket which prevents other plant species from germinating in that area, which also prevents the regeneration of trees. Pollination Season: May to July Rarity: Common Fun Fact: It is classified as a noxious weed in 46 states. 
NPS Where to find it: Typically thrives in full sun and well-drained, infertile soils. It is known to proliferate in pastures, field edges, and along roadsides. Potential Harm: Its rapid growth and ability to spread quickly, enable it to form impenetrable thickets outcompeting native plants, reducing biodiversity and potentially impacting wildlife habitats. Pollination Season: May to June Rarity: Rare/Unconfirmed Fun Fact: The plant was introduced to the United States in the 1860s for its ornamental value, was routinely used as root stock for rose breeding programs and was used for erosion control. 
NPS Where to find it: Mountain slopes, usually below an altitude of 2,500 meters or 8,202 feet. Potential Harm: It reduces the abundance and diversity of native plants and can make the area less attractive to wildlife. It may be allelopathic, producing substances that chemically inhibit the growth of other plants. Pollination Season: July to October Rarity: Rare/Unconfirmed Fun Fact: It was first introduced in the United States in North Carolina, where it was used to control erosion, revegetate abandoned mines sites, and as forage for cattle. 
NPS Where to find it: Typically require full sun to thrive, they are adaptable to a variety of soil conditions. Potential Harm: Able to spread very quickly, they grow in dense patches that crowd out other species. They also tend to be structurally weak and susceptible to storm damage. Pollination Season: April to May Rarity: Rare/Unconfirmed Fun Fact: One of these plants survived the destruction of the Twin Towers on 9/11 and was restored to full health; it is often referred to as "the Survivor Tree."
For More Information Invasive & Non-Native Species (U.S. National Park Service) How Invasive Species Spread - Invasive & Non-Native Species (U.S. National Park Service) What You Can Do - Invasive & Non-Native Species (U.S. National Park Service) Success Stories - Invasive & Non-Native Species (U.S. National Park Service) |
Last updated: July 1, 2025