Invasive plant's self-toxicity curbs its dominance, allowing more diverse communities to thrive.
Solidago canadensis, a common invasive plant, produces chemicals that can hinder its own growth and affect other plants it grows with. High concentrations of these chemicals reduced the growth of Solidago canadensis but not Phragmites australis. When grown together, Solidago canadensis became less dominant while Phragmites australis thrived. This suggests that the self-inhibiting effects of these chemicals can limit the spread of invasive plants and lead to more diverse plant communities.
