Plants that are subject to herbivory can have reduced
growth rates, lower reproductive rates, and/or higher
mortality rates. Plants can escape herbivory by mechanical
and/or chemical means. If a plant is armed, this can confer
a selective advantage over un-armed species by reducing
herbivory. Likewise, if a plant is toxic, this may confer a
selective advantage over non-toxic plants by reducing
herbivory (Baker 1965). Toxin production may also
initiate an allelopathic response in non-weedy species
and reduce competition (Baker 1965).