Neophyte (botany)

In Britain, neophytes are defined more specifically as plant species that were introduced after 1492, when Christopher Columbus arrived in the New World and the Columbian Exchange began.

The process of immigration or introduction, establishment and expansion in the new area is called hemerochory or biological invasion.

[6] Neobiota or neophytes are usually characterized by typical properties such as adaptability, high reproductive rate and often an association with humans.

Together with the susceptibility of the new area to biological invaders and the number of displaced individuals, these properties determine the probability of success with which a stable population is established after a spreading event.

Ephemeral plants are exotics that have not been established and cannot complete their full life cycle or persist in more than one place over a series of years without direct human assistance.

Examples of ephemerophytes in Western and Central Europe are: Common sunflowers, opium poppies, canary grass, tomatoes and adventives or potted main plants.

Examples of newly established species in western and Central Europe are: Sweet flag, Jerusalem artichoke, small balsam, cranberries, horseweed, quickweed, shaggy soldier, German chamomile, slender speedwell, and Persian speedwell.

The Horse chestnut ( Aesculus hippocastanum ) is an example of a neophyte species, introduced to the British Isles in the 17th century.
Prickly pears at an ancient Greek temple in Selinunte , Sicily. Native to Mexico and other countries in Central and South America, the prickly pear has successfully established populations in numerous countries around the world.