While plants like string of pearls, snake plants, and king sago palms may look and sound unusual, care for these and other houseplants has become commonplace.

GUILDERLAND — Laura Shore of Guilderland found out the hard way that the beautiful ornamental plant growing in her yard was toxic giant hogweed: by trying to prune it.

Invasive species can be found throughout Thacher Park and Thompsons Lake, but education campaigns and volunteers have helped to stem their impact on biodiversity.