What type of herbicide can kill or damage all plants when applied at adequate rates?

Non-selective herbicides are designed to kill or damage all types of plants upon application, regardless of their species. This characteristic makes them particularly effective for controlling unwanted vegetation in areas such as walkways, driveways, or places where you want to clear out all plant life. These herbicides work by targeting broad biological processes in plants, making them effective across a wide range of flora.

In contrast, selective herbicides are formulated to target specific types of plants, such as weeds, while leaving desirable plants unharmed. Systemic herbicides operate by being absorbed into the plant's system, which can affect various parts, but they still typically focus on certain target plants rather than all. Herbicide barriers are not a type of herbicide but rather a method to prevent plant growth or encroachments in a certain area, usually not involved in killing existing plants.