Ramps are a natural plant found in the Appalachian mountain region in eastern North America's damp forests. They begin as a tiny bulb then expand and colonize over time. The term "ramp" comes from the English language word 'rampe', which means "an embankment built to prevent flooding". Ramps spread by underground rhizomes that shoot up new plants wherever they touch the ground. These rhizomes can be thick enough to see with your hand, reaching 10 feet or more beneath the surface. A ramp colony is thus able to grow back even after it has been removed from its original location. The colonies typically form near rock outcroppings or along river banks where the soil is moist but not wet. Over time, the ramp population may become dominant so that other plants cannot survive within its range. This is called an invasive species and can cause problems for local ecosystems by removing other plants from competition. For example, when ramps invade new areas, they can use up available nutrients in the soil that would otherwise have gone to crops or trees. This can lead to erosion and make these new areas less suitable for other plants to grow in. Invaders can also change the behavior of their host plants by producing chemicals that are harmful to other organisms.