Open Access

REVIEW

Allelochemicals in the Invasive Success of Specific Alien Plant Species

Hisashi Kato-Noguchi^*, Midori Kato

Department of Applied Biological Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Kagawa University, Miki, Kagawa, Japan

* Corresponding Author: Hisashi Kato-Noguchi. Email:

(This article belongs to the Special Issue: Integrative Plant Biology: From Metabolism and Gene Function to Environmental Stress, Ecology, and Medicinal Innovations)

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany 2026, 95(9), 1 https://doi.org/10.32604/phyton.2026.087465

Received 17 June 2026; Accepted 08 September 2026; Issue published 24 September 2026

Abstract

This review investigates the allelopathic characteristics of seven highly invasive plant species: Lantana camara, Reynoutria japonica, Leucaena leucocephala, Bidens pilosa, Tithonia diversifolia, Arundo donax, and Pueraria montana var. lobata. A thorough literature search was conducted using five databases. These plants employ allelopathy, releasing specific chemicals called allelochemicals that suppress the germination and growth of neighboring vegetation. Each species produces a distinct profile of allelochemicals, including cinnamic acid derivatives, benzoic acid derivatives, monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes, sesquiterpene lactones, pentacyclic triterpenoids, flavonoids, a non-protein amino acid, indole alkaloids, and anthraquinones. These allelochemicals are released into the environment through their roots, leaves, and decaying matter, giving the plants a competitive edge over native flora. This chemical suppression enables the plants to rapidly colonize and adapt to local habitats, indicating that allelopathy may contribute to their invasive success.

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Keywords

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