India, Oct. 19 -- A shrub with bright red berries sounds like something nice to plant in a garden. But in Florida, one such bush became a big problem. Brazilian peppertree was introduced into the state as an ornamental plant, according to the USDA Agricultural Research Service. USDA estimates that more than 700,000 acres in Florida are infested with it, showing how far a single garden choice can go.

Brazilian peppertree, also called Brazilian pepper, is native to Brazil, Paraguay, and Argentina. UF/IFAS Extension notes that it is thought to have been introduced into Florida in the 1840s as an ornamental. It is a shrub with green leaves and bright red berries, but it didn't stay in yards. The USDA says it has colonized much of the state's...