Final answer:
Native plant species are those that are indigenous to a particular area and evolved there naturally, like the common reed (Phragmites australis) in North America. Contrarily, exotic species are introduced by humans into areas where they are not native, such as Kudzu (Pueraria lobata) in the United States.
Step-by-step explanation:
Native plant species are species that have originated and evolved in a particular region or ecosystem without human intervention. These species are adapted to the local conditions and play a crucial role in the ecology of their natural habitat. An example of a native plant in North America is the common reed (Phragmites australis), which although likely native to the area, has displayed invasive tendencies with the introduction of new genotypes.
Example of Native Plant Species
To illustrate, the common reed (Phragmites australis) is considered a native species in North America. Its presence dates back at least thousands of years. However, it has become more invasive due to the introduction of Old World genotypes, potentially spread through soil ballast. This demonstrates that even native species can exhibit invasive characteristics when new genetic material is introduced.
Comparison with Exotic Species
In contrast, exotic species are those that have been introduced into a new ecosystem by human actions, either intentionally or accidentally, such as Kudzu (Pueraria lobata), which is native to Japan and became invasive in the southeastern United States.