Online plant trade in India: species inventory and invasion risk assessment

Summary The ornamental horticulture industry is a major pathway for the introduction of invasive alien species (IAS), with online trade accelerating their spread by expanding market access. This study compiled an inventory of plant species in India’s online market, assessed native, alien and invasive plants and evaluated invasion risk using global naturalized and invasive records. Data from three leading online plant retailers revealed 1856 species spanning 1045 genera and 194 families. Alien species (1371) outnumbered native species (480), with Apocynaceae and Cactaceae being the most species-rich families. Herbs were the predominant life form, and most alien taxa originated from the Americas. Cross-referencing with global databases identified 327 invasive and 639 naturalized alien species among those traded online. Thirty-nine species that are invasive elsewhere are already naturalized in India (high risk), 239 are invasive elsewhere but not yet naturalized locally (moderate risk) and 2 are low risk. Additionally, 57 species already invasive in India are sold online. These findings indicate a substantial biological invasions risk via online ornamental plant trade in India, highlighting the need for stronger regulations, risk-assessment protocols, enhanced awareness and coordinated action among the ornamental plant industry, government agencies and conservation organizations to curb the spread of IAS.