Modern society also brings its own habitat, the disturbed area. This is the home of opportunistic plants which thrive in the aftermath of logging, farming, fires and other major changes in the landscape. Many plants which are called wildflowers, such as yarrow, soapwort, oxeye daisy and chicory are aliens from abroad which have become naturalized in our local habitats. While many aliens have entered our local habitats without creating problems, several including oriental bittersweet, Norway maple, purple loosestrife, multiflora rose and phragmites reed have altered habitats and driven out native species. The two biggest threats to native plants are habitat destruction and collection.
Habitat destruction can take many forms.
All these activities destroy local habitats permanently. Less permanent, but equally dangerous to sensitve plant populations are logging, farming and grazing. All of these activities cause great changes in local habitats. Even in remote places, safe from the pressures of development, the greatest threat to native plants are humans who collect them. With speedy access by automobile, people can easily collect plants in areas previously beyond reach.