Plants are the producers in a food chain or web. Organisms that live in a particular ecosystem are adapted to conditions of temperature, soil type, sunlight, types of available food among other factors.
If a non-native species is introduced to an area either accidentally or on purpose, the effects can be devastating to the native species. The new species might out-compete native plants and deprive them of water, space, soil and other requirements needed for growth. Also, there might not be any herbivores that will feed upon this non-native plant which adds to their ability to take over the new environment.
An example is the purple loose-strife which is a plant that is native to Europe and Asia and was introduced to North America in the 19th century. It has since spread on the sides of roads, wetlands and marshes through most of the United States. Unfortunately, it has hurt the native species of plants like cattails which are needed by wetland organisms to use for food and shelter.
It is believed that purple loose-strife was introduced as an ornamental plant and its seeds were able to spread to distant areas by means of transport in the currents of streams. It is not only a non-native plant--it is also considered to be an invasive species due to the damage it has done to the native species of plants and animals in wetland ecosystems across the U.S.
I have included a link to invasive plants in the United States. Further information can be obtained on each plant.
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