Native Plants
Native plants are plants that have locally evolved. For Los Angeles, these include the California Buckwheat, Mulefat, Live Oak, Deer Vetch, Silver Dune Lupine, and the California Poppy. Many native and migratory animals depend on such plants. Local blue and copper butterflies such as the Western Pygmy and the Bernardino Blue depend on varieties of native buckwheat.
Invasive Plants
Invasive Plants are usually plants that have not locally evolved but have been introduced in one way or another. They become invasive for several reasons including the lack of predators. Many invasive varieties of mustard, for example, release chemicals that prevent types of fungus from growing; these would normally aid in the development of native plants.
Cultivated Plants
Cultivated Plants are plants that have been artificially selected for human uses such as for home gardens or for food. Some of these can become invasive in the wild. Examples include Wild Radish and Foxtail Brome
