“The word ‘exotic’ has always called to mind visions of the fascinating, unusual, curious, sophisticated, and even the bizarre (Kramer, 1998:5). This term seems to allure people to investigate, comprehend, and even collect exotic paraphernalia-including plants. The phrase “exotic plant” does sound glamorous, but not to the native plants in Florida. Native plants live well with each other, sharing food, water, shelter, and space. When brought to a different environment these now non-native plants have trouble …showed first 75 words of 960 total…

…showed last 75 words of 960 total…eradication of nonindigenous plants cost Florida over $200,000 in 1993. In 50 years the Brazilian pepper has taken over thousands of hectares once dominated by native plants. It has imposed a threat to animal species such as the white-tailed deer and gopher tortoise, and even alters the ecosystem. Various methods are being investigated to overtake this spreading plant. With sufficient funding and the proper method, this exotic plant that has survived and achieved pest status, will be manageable.