EXOTIC PLANTS: INVASION IN AND AROUND US James Mathew, B.Ed. student, St. Thomas College of Teacher Education, Pala Abstract Exotic plants are alien, non-native, non-indigenous or introduced plant species that occur in areas outside of their natural geographic zone. They may be introduced into an area from outside its native range either purposefully or accidentally. These plant species have role in floristic biodiversity, ecosystem processes, medicinal field and economic benefits. Although while analyzing the current status of exotic plants in the Kottayam district it is found as 66 exotic plant species in 38 families. This found that the invasion of such plants is being found in and around us. Keywords Non-indigenous, Exotic, Oxalidaceae, Stericuliaceae, Portulacaceae INTRODUCTION Invasive alien species are those which spread outside their normal distribution range and become invasive in their new geographic area. Their spread is aided by international trad