native/non-native plant database?

Does there exist a reasonably comprehensive (preferablly online, but I could buy a book) database/list of plants that show where its native to, also whether its invasive,ect? I hear about a plant, and one of the things I want to find out besides whether it can grow where I live, is if a good idea to grow here & I want to do at least some native plant gardening (just about anything purple wherever its from is likely to end up in my yard) and while I'm slowly learning, there are just so many possibilities that it would be nice to be able to refer to something quickly to check.

So far I've been using http://www.gnps.org/SUMMER2.HTM as a native check for Georgia, and jsut checkign spring/summer & fall blooming charts each, but the site says it is not comprehensive, so I wondered if there are more/larger ones.

Christina Cat

This message was edited Feb 18, 2005 5:44 AM

The USDA plants data base tells on most plants whether native or not and has state links for invasive lists:
http://plants.usda.gov/index.html

I've used that a lot. Also, a good book to have is the Peterson Field Guide to Wildflowers, which has a lot more info about native and non native status than the Audobon field guide to wildflowers. The books are good when you're out stomping in the woods and need a quick reference.

thanks, thats just what I was looking for. (I'm pretty new to this whole gardening thing).

Christina Cat