Names of Exotic Plants

Exotic plants are those that are introduced, or not native, to the United States. These plants are often tropical. They come from areas like Europe, Africa, China and Asia. These plants can often overtake an area, becoming invasive, and may choke out the native flora species.

Kudzu (Pueraria lobata)

From Asia, kudzu is often called "the vine that ate the South", as it has overtaken buildings, trees and anything else in its path. It can grow over a foot a day, reaching between 30 and 100 feet long. Leaves are yellow-green to gray, and it has small lavender flowers.

Mimosa (Albizia julibrissin)

Also known as the silk tree, the mimosa has a height of 50 feet at maturity. Leaves are feathery and fern-like with pink puffs of flowers. Leaves are compound. There is gray or light brown bark and pods that will last throughout winter.

Bird of Paradise (Strelitzia reginae)

From Africa, the bird of paradise is a bold evergreen plant. It has stiff leaves and grows up to four feet in height. The flowers have a bird’s head appearance and they will appear one at a time. There are leaves that look like a banana plant.

Chinese Tallow (Sapium sebiferum)

From China, the Chinese tallow grows 30 to 40 feet high with a deciduous growth. Leaves are green and turn yellow, red, and orange in the fall. Flowers are yellow or green catkins in spring. Capsules are three seed fruits.

Princess Tree (Paulownia tomentosa)

A deciduous tree, this grows up to 60 feet tall. Leaves are heart-shaped and fuzzy. Bark is rough and gray in color. It has pale-violet flowers and capsules that look like pecans. The capsules have tiny winged seeds.