So I heard my friend call an invasive plant a displaced relative and when pressed on it they basically said that the plants didn’t choose to come here and they are victims of colonialism. Invasive implies they aren’t welcome, you wouldn’t say that the enslaved people brought over to the new world are invasive so why would you a plant? Then they said human agriculture was invasive because it’s monoculture and doesn’t allow other plants to grow, which you know fair point. So what’s the consensus is my friend an idiot or am I an idiot?
Edit: I just texted my friend, they said they got the concept from this book. Fresh Banana Leaves: Healing Indigenous Landscapes Through Indigenous Science
Some invasives should absolutely be eliminated (for a long time I've thought this would make a good jobs program). In the PNW for example Japanese knotweed very quickly forms thick stands that prevent any natives from growing. English ivy and clematis can completely cover mature trees, kill them, then carpet the ground and prevent any more from growing.
In contrast, foxglove is non-native in the one but it isn't aggressive in the same way, doesn't form monocultures, and some local pollinators like it.
Does that make it less invasive?
Yes