Laurel Park is a community in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Western North Carolina. This region boasts a rich diversity of plant life, with native species playing a crucial role in sustaining the ecosystems of the Southern Appalachian Mountains. Non-native (exotic) plants are also prevalent. While some are relatively harmless, others exhibit invasive traits that threaten native plant populations and disrupt natural habitats.

The town’s native flora includes understory species such as Rhododendron and Mountain Laurel (Kalmia) and towering canopy trees like the Carolina Hemlock and Tulip Tree (Liriodendron). Elevation, moisture, sunlight, and geology influence their distribution across the community.

Among the non-native species, invasive plants pose a severe threat due to their aggressive growth and competitive nature. Common invasives in the area include English Ivy, Oriental Bittersweet, and Japanese Stiltgrass—many of which were likely introduced through residential landscaping.

Protecting Laurel Park’s native plant communities begins with identifying and removing invasive species. When necessary, restoration efforts help rehabilitate affected areas, ensuring a healthy habitat for natives to flourish.

Plant Classification

In this website, plants are classified into three primary categories: native, non-native, or non-native invasive.

Common and scientific names of plants are mostly based on A. S. Weakley et.al. This source is also used to determine native/non-native. If designated as invasive, the source is the NC Invasive Plant Council's NC Invasive Plants List adopted by NC-IPC on November 16, 2023. Please use the Contact form for suggestions, errors, or corrections to plant classifications.

Protecting Native Plants & Combating Invasives: Preserving Laurel Park’s Natural Heritage