What Are Invasive Plants?
For anyone that does not know what an invasive species is or what type of damage it can cause to the environment, here is what you need to know. An invasive plant is technically an invasive species that does not share or get along with other plants. Invasive plants tend to push out native plants from within the natural areas where hundreds of plants used to be, but because of the significant damage, these plants can cause the number of native plants to decrease rapidly. Invasive plants not only get rid of other species but also damage the environment in numerous ways.
For example:
- Invasive plants damage the filtering of water, storing carbon, and building solid health within the natural areas.
- Also, invasive species do not support diverse wildlife, pollinator communities, or birds.
- Additionally, sites where invasive plants are more common, contain a high number of mosquitos and ticks.
- Finally, the lack of native plants in sites where invasive plants tend to be more abundant affects humans’ physical and mental health. When we are around more diverse birds and plants, our health increases.
How Invasive Plants Came to Illinois
You have to understand that invasive species are specifically called invasive, because they are great at overspreading to numerous locations from where they were originally planted. For instance, a big portion of invasive plants is spread to large distances through birds who eat these plants. Additionally, other invasive plants are spread by people (ourselves) or wildlife. The smallest root transported to a different location and planted somewhere else can help this invasive specie spread.
List of Invasive Plants
Invasive species come in all forms, sizes, shapes, and colors. They have their own specific name and they also grow in different areas. Some of these invasive species are called:
- Garlic mustard (Alliaria petiolata).
- Callery or Bradford pear (Pyrus calleryana).
- Lesser celandine (Ranunculus ficaria).
- Lonicera spp (Asian bush/tree honeysuckles).
List of Native Plants
On the other hand, as mentioned before, there are also native species that are similar to invasive species. Native species also come in different forms, shapes, sizes, and colors. The native species mentioned below are specifically grown here in Illinois.
However, native species do not harm the environment in any way. They benefit the environment. Native species are plants that have been in specific areas for more than a thousand years. They are well adapted to the environment they grew in and, rather than damage it, they benefit from it. Some of these beautiful native plants are called:
- The common Blue Violet (Viola sororia).
- The Indian Paintbrush (Castilleja coccinea).
- The Nodding Onion (Allium cernuum).
- The Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea).
- The Purple Prairie Clover (Dalea purpurea).
Slow or Prevent the Spread of Invasive Plants
Here is what you can do to stop or at least try to stop the spread of this invasive species. First, you have to make sure you are not contributing to the development of this invasive species. You can do this is by not planting the invasive species yourself and helping them spread. Also, another couple of suggestions to put a stop to this destructive species that is affecting our environment is to:
- Clean your hiking and camping gear (boots, hiking poles, clothing).
- Also, when going fishing, clean fishing equipment as well and used native bait.
- Additionally, plant native species yourself to help with the planting in your landscapes.
What You Need to Do as a Homeowner
As a homeowner, if you enjoy planting or gardening. You are a key element to eliminating this invasive species and a very important resource. For these reasons, inform yourself of all the damage you can cause to the environment if, by mistake, you plant an invasive species. Also, your knowledge and experience in gardening contributes a lot as well. Since you have a more clear mindset on what can benefit your garden or landscape and what can completely damage it. As a homeowner, informing yourself and contributing to this cause. Is a big step to putting a stop to the overspread of the invasive species.
Written by Nohemi Sanchez
Sources:
A-Z Animals: 8 Native Plants in Illinois
University of Illinois Urbana – Champaign: Prevent the spread of invasive species in Illinois
WGN9: Top 5 invasive plants in Illinois which could ruin your yard
Featured Image Courtesy of stanze Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
Inset Image Courtesy of Joshua Mayer Flickr Page– Creative Commons License
