Figure 2.

The figure shows a range of secondary metabolites like (−)-catechin, (+)-catechin, cnicin, ocimenones, 8-hydroxyquinoline, deoxymikanolide, emodin, methyl jasmonate, physcion, and parthenin. These compounds are known to play significant roles in plant invasion strategies through allelopathic interactions, where they inhibit native plant growth, disrupt beneficial mycorrhizal fungi associations, and alter the microbial dynamics in the soil. For example, catechins released by invasive species can suppress native vegetation, while methyl jasmonate and emodin may influence plant defense mechanisms and stress responses, enhancing the competitive ability of invasive plants. These biochemical strategies give invasive species a significant ecological advantage.