Foreign or alien plant species can have a serious impact on native plants and wildlife. Invasive alien plants as they are often called, have the capacity to move onto your land and reproduce so aggressively that they can displace original native plants. They:
- crowd out native plants, including rare and endangered species
- destroy wildlife habitat
- some invasive plants are poisonous and can be dangerous to humans, wildlife, and livestock
- some invasive aquatic plants can pose a danger to swimmers and boaters
- provide refuge for insects and diseases that attack adjacent farm crops and beneficial plants
- can lower your property value
- reduce aesthetics of an enjoyable landscape
- affect soil stability and water quality
- can cause physical discomfort due to spines, burrs and prickles
- reduce agricultural crop quality and crop yields (on average 10-15%)
Modified from "Invasive Plant Alert" produced by the British Columbia Ministry of Agriculture and Food. You can print a complete copy of this brochure from the internet at: http://www.agf.gov.bc.ca/croplive/cropprot/invasive.pdf
Some invasive plants can be found along or near the shoreline. Common ones in British Columbia include:
- Purple Loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria) - widespread throughout Canada
- Eurasian Milfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum)
- Canada Thistle (Cirsium arvense)
- Hound's-tongue (Cynoglossum officinale)
- Burdock (Arctium lappa)
- Spotted knapweed (Centaurea maculosa)
Links to more information on invasive plants:
Invasive Plants of Canada Project
Manitoba Purple Loosestrife Project
British Columbia Ministry of Agriculture and Food
USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service Plants Database
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For further information:
Contact: The Living by Water Project, 250 832 7405 Fax 250 832
6874
P.O. Box 7, Salmon Arm, British
Columbia, Canada, V1E 4N2
email: [email protected]
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