What is a characteristic of a noxious weed?

A characteristic of a noxious weed is that it damages surrounding plants and is hard to control. Noxious weeds are typically invasive species that can outcompete native vegetation for resources such as light, water, and nutrients. This can lead to a decrease in biodiversity and can disrupt local ecosystems. Additionally, these plants often possess growth habits or reproductive strategies that make them difficult to manage through conventional control methods, which is a key reason they are designated as "noxious."

The other options do not accurately describe noxious weeds. For instance, the idea that noxious weeds are easy to control contradicts their very nature; if they were easily controlled, they would not pose the same problems they do. Similarly, not all noxious weeds are aquatic, and many can thrive in various environments, including terrestrial habitats. Lastly, while some weeds may provide benefits to certain wildlife, noxious weeds generally have detrimental effects on the ecosystem overall, hence they are classified based on their invasive and harmful characteristics rather than their benefits.