ruderal

American  

[roo-der-uhl] / ˈru dər əl /

adjective

1. (of a plant) growing in waste places, along roadsides or in rubbish.

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noun

1. a ruderal plant.

ruderal British  

/ ˈruːdərəl /

noun

1. a plant that grows on waste ground

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adjective

1. growing in waste places

Etymology

Origin of ruderal

1855–60; < New Latin rūderālis, equivalent to Latin rūder- (stem of rūdus broken stone, rubble) + -ālis -al ¹

Explanation

A ruderal species of plant is one that grows where the ground has been disturbed. The dandelions you see poking up between the pavers of a sidewalk are ruderal plants. Following an avalanche, landslide, or wildfire, ruderal species are the ones that are able to establish themselves and grow in depleted soil. These plants, sometimes called ruderals, may also pop up after human activity like mining, pesticide use, or the building of roads or sidewalks. While some ruderal species are invasive, others are native grasses, wildflowers, ferns, and mosses. The term ruderal is derived from the Latin rudus, meaning "rubble."

Example Sentences

A ruderal bumblebee queen was spotted not far from the Brechfa home of a conservationist who said he "could not believe his eyes".

From BBC • Jun. 24, 2022

"We are both like, 'is that a ruderal bumblebee'," he said.

From BBC • Jun. 24, 2022

They netted the bumblebee and it showed distinctive ruderal signs: even hair and wide, matching yellow bands.

From BBC • Jun. 24, 2022

The splintered, the fissile, the ruderal: these are the Ness's textures.

From The Guardian • Jul. 8, 2012

Engelmann and I have been noting the species truly indigenous here which, becoming ruderal or campestral, are increasing in the number of individuals instead of diminishing as the country becomes more settled and forests removed.

From More Letters of Charles Darwin — Volume 1 by Darwin, Francis, Sir