Pioneer Species

The first plants to arrive at a disturbed or damaged site. They help repair and improve the soil for future plant species. This category of extremely hardy plants have the ability to grow on extremely compacted and damaged soil and include thistles, dandelions, pineapple weed, yellow clover,alfalfa and many more. Once they eventually die off and decay, they begin to form a layer of organic matter that eventually becomes the new soil for future plants to grow in.