WASHINGTON GARDENER
BY KATHY JENTZ Invasive Language: How We Label Plants Says More About Us Than Them
sinensis , then we know exactly the plant we are discussing. We are neither calling attention to the “otherness” nor implicating a whole culture or ethnic group with “invasive” motives. Further, the use of adjectives like “alien plant” or “foreign species” is misleading and, frankly, xenophobic. The simple descriptor of “non-native” is all that is needed. Finally, there is the tendency for gardeners to use the language of war when describing our struggles with dealing with both native and non-natives plants that spread aggressively. I’ve certainly been guilty of this myself. Think twice before assigning a bad or evil motive to a “foreign invader” that has entered your landscape. Instead, reframe it as a chance to relocate a plant to a more appropriate home — even if that “home” is in your compost pile or yard waste bin. Kathy Jentz is editor/publisher of Washington Gardener magazine. She is also the host of the popular GardenDC Podcast. All photos by Kathy. Washington Gardener magazine is the gardening publication published specifically for the local metro area — zones 6-7 — Washington DC and its suburbs. The magazine is written entirely by local area gardeners. They have real-world knowledge and practical advice. They share their thoughts on what to plant in deep shade, how to cover bare spots, which annuals work best throughout the humid DC summers, and much more. The magazine is published monthly online and includes timely informa- tion such as a local garden events calendar and gardening to-do list for that month. A year-long digital subscription is $20.00. To subscribe to the mag - azine: Send a check/money order for $20.00 payable to “Washington Gar - dener” magazine to: Washington Gardener, 826 Philadelphia Ave., Silver Spring, MD 20910 OR to pay via Paypal/credit card click on the “subscribe” link at www.WashingtonGardener.com. Washingto n Gardener magazine subscriptions make great gifts for gardeners and new homeowners.
Has the language we use around plants that come from elsewhere ever bothered you? It sure has been on my mind in these fraught times with all the tension about “others” in “our country.” For the past few decades, I have been extremely uncomfortable with the terms we use for native versus exotic plants. This issue goes beyond being politically correct. The language we use defines our world around us and shapes our views of it. If a plant is called a weed, then that is how we see it. If instead of Milkweed, we called it Butterfly Flower, you see how that changes things. I recently attended a meeting of the North American Invasive Spe - cies Management Association (NAISMA) titled, “Rethinking Invasive Species Communication.” It was a fascinating panel of those who work in the field dealing with invasive species along with those who com - municate to the general public about them. It explored how the words we use to talk about invasive species can either support or undermine effective management. Presenters shared early findings from a nation - al survey on invasive species language and common names, highlight- ing how different audiences perceive current terms and where there is support for change. The term “invasive” itself can be seen as problematic as it assigns to the plant (or insect, etc.) a motive and an agenda. The fact is, we humans brought over most of these to be used in our landscapes or for agriculture; none of these plants got up and walked here. The more accurate and neutral terms would be “nuisance plant” or “introduced species.” Other alternatives include “naturalized pest” and “introduced nuisance.”
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Onicas Gaddis specializes in large, colorful, acrylic abstracts using an ethereal technique he calls “Spiritual Expressionism.” His work has been exhibited all over the Southeast and is currently on exhibit at the 362 Depot Street Gallery in Asheville, North Carolina’s River Arts District. Onicas is featured in the South Carolina PBS special Origins: Creators of the Carolinas . To view, go to https://m.imdb.com/ title/tt28661982/ Learn more about Onicas’ art and style at www.onicasart.com
Rethink how “invasive” plants, like English Ivy and Wineberry (pictured), are labeled.
And what do we call a plant that expands beyond its bounds (as we define them) and is a very successful grower? We use that pejorative word “invasive” again. I suggest “aggressive” is a better fit. Then there is that other word for plants that don’t behave well in our landscapes: thug. For those of you in older age groups, this term sounds neutral and accurate, but please realize it is now seen by younger adults as old-fashioned and racist. Better terms would be “yard bully,” “aggressive spreader,” or “noxious weed.” I believe clarity of language and being precise in our communica- tions can help us put forward a more positive message about our local landscapes. In the above example of our native Common Milkweed, if we used the correct Botanical Latin name Asclepias tuberosa then there is no confusion and none of those negative weed connotations we often associate with our native plants. Similarly, when referring to an “invasive species such as Asian or Chinese Wisteria”, if we call it by its proper Latin name, Wisteria
PATHWAYS—Spring 26—35
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