DEFINITION Plants native to local ecosystem or region. This includes plants that have developed, occur naturally, or existed for many years in an area.
AKAPlants endemic or indigenous.
RELATED FUNCTIONSWildlife habitat, low maintenance, water management, erosion control
PERFORMANCE CRITERIALevel of biodiversity of plants, level of biodiversity of wildlife supported by plants
ILLUSTRATIONCASE STUDIESParque de cabecera, Valencia, Spain
The High Line, New York
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, Texas
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Pacific Northwest Native Plant resources - Washington Native Plant Society: http://www.wnps.org/ (great resources, pictures, lists etc.)
- King County Department of Natural Resources: http://green.kingcounty.gov/gonative/ (This website includes searchable plant lists, photos of native plants, landscape plans for various locations and exposures, & tools to create customized native plant lists etc.)
Nationwide Plant Resources: - Native Plant Societies in the United States
- USDA/Natural Resources Conservation Service: http://plants.usda.gov/ (Includes information on plants around the country, as well as threatened and endangered species and invasive and noxious weeds.)