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The tedium of driving along our interstates is lightened by attention to the array of colors and shapes of wildflowers that line the ribbons of pavement.

Recently, the bright yellow of mullein, in its tall candelabra form, stood guard over throngs of brilliant orange Asclepias tuberosa (butterfly weed), spotted yellow Linaria vulgaris (butter and eggs or toadflax), orange and brown Rudbeckia hirta (black-eyed Susans), pale blue Cichorium intybus (chicory), white and yellow Leucanthemum vulgare (ox-eye daisy), and the lacy white Daucus carota (Queen Anne's lace). Asclepias syriaca, common milkweed, was in abundance and a quick stop at a rest area revealed Monarch butterfly eggs on the underside of many leaves.

A lovely sight, but sadly, only three of these plants are natives: black-eyed Susan, butterfly weed and milkweed. The others, though growing with abandon over much of the U.S., are introduced plants that have naturalized. That is, they escaped cultivation and adapted so completely to their new environment that many people now think of them as native.

Chicory was a bane of early farmers, who struggled to remove it from fields where it dulled blades, seeded freely, and sent taproots deep into the soil. In the 1700s, the plant was brought to this country as a crop plant, desirable for its roots, which were baked, ground and used as a coffee substitute or additive (think New Orleans). By the 1950s, we imported ground chicory rather than growing it, but it had already started its spread across the countryside.

Considered a noxious weed in eight states, butter and eggs arrived on our shores as an ornamental. Heavy infestations are still found on old homestead sites, as well as many disturbed areas and meadows. It is adaptable, persistent (seeds can lie dormant for eight or more years) and aggressive, spreading via seed and creeping rhizomes.

Another ornamental, the ox-eye daisy, is on the noxious weed list in at least five states. As pretty as it is, it is such an aggressive spreader that it displaces native plants unable to compete with its rampant growth. This little pure white daisy with the yellow center is reported in every state in the continental United States.

Queen Anne's lace belongs to the carrot family. It blooms with an umbrella-shaped white flower that has a dot of burgundy at the center. The plants have one redeeming feature: they are a food source for many butterflies, including Eastern Black Swallowtail butterflies, whose caterpillars feast on the leaves. They displace natives, however, that are equally attractive to butterflies and do not spread as aggressively.

Also a disappointing sight along an interstate drive is the proliferation of invasive trees. Ailanthus altissima (tree of heaven) has been sold across our country for its rapid growth (up to 80 feet), attractive flowers and fall color. What home gardeners are not told is that the tree forms thickets and dense stands. It colonizes by root sprouts and spreads by prolific wind- and water-dispersed seeds. The root system can cause damage to sewers and foundations, and emits toxins that inhibit the growth of other plants.

On a recent drive south from Massachusetts were colonies of our native Rhus glabra, smooth sumac, a small tree with glorious yellow flowers, deep burgundy fruits, and scarlet fall foliage. The farther south we drove, the less we saw of sumac and the more frequently we began to see Ailanthus. There were a few Ailanthus in New York and Pennsylvania, but Rhus was definitely in charge. By the time we were in Maryland, Rhus was overrun with Ailanthus. By the time we reached Virginia, Ailanthus was king.

Anyone thinking about planting one of these odious trees needs to get out and drive around a bit. What they do along the roadsides they will also do in your garden. Paulownia tomentosa, princess tree, is taking over North Carolina - from roadsides to backyard gardens. It has large leaves, very pretty and fragrant spring flowers, and incredibly rapid growth. It will quickly reach 60 feet in height, with mature trees producing as many as 20 million seeds. The trees rarely live beyond 70 years and are often structurally unsound.

Within the past 10 years or so, both of these trees have invaded many of the green spaces in Guilford County.

If you are interested in native alternatives to these plants, the choices are many, including:

• Ox-eye daisy: Robin's plantain (Erigeron pulchellus); Wild quinine (Parthenium integrifolium); Mountain mint (Pycnanthemum virginianum)

• Butter and eggs: Yellow star grass (Hypoxis hirsuta); Moth mullein (Verbascum blatarria); Golden Alexander (Zizea aurea)

• Chicory: Spiderwort (Tradescantia virginiana); spiked lobelia (Lobelia spicata); spiked gayfeather (Liatris spicata)

• Queen Anne's lace: Hairy angelica (Angelica venenosa); white milkweed (Asclepias variegata); white snakeroot (Eupatorium rugosum)

• Princess tree: Serviceberry (Amelanchier arborea); Cucumber tree (Magnolia acuminata); Styrax (Styrax grandifolia)

• Tree of Heaven: Hickories (Carya spp); Fringetree (Chionanthus virginicus); Smooth sumac (Rhus glabra)

For information about the N.C. Native Plant Society, contact kathyschlosser@triad.rr.com