You’ll see invasive plants wherever you look!
Invasive plants are found in most environments, both urban and natural and like most unwanted invaders they tend to pop up where you least expect, or want them to be. Take a look outside your front door and you could easily see the pink flowers of Himalayan balsam blowing in the wind (they grow up to 2m tall), the bright yellow flowers of Ragwort or the impressive display of Goldenrod in full bloom (image below). Even common garden plants such as Buddleia or Variegated yellow archangel are invasive if left unchecked.
Next time you venture out, whether it’s through a forest, along a canal towpath or going city to city, take a closer look at what’s growing alongside the trees, footpaths, railway lines (and stations) or roads, you could see Japanese knotweed, Field horsetail, Goat’s rue (image below) or an invasive aquatic weed such as Floating pennywort or Curly water weed spreading across a lake.
They’re closer than you think
Some invasive species thrive in specific habitats such as bogs, woodlands or more arid conditions, others need to live in or near water and some are just happy to colonise anywhere. Most areas of the UK have some level of invasive plant infestation, so whether you live in a city, suburb, country village or remote mountain there will be an invasive plant near you. Look at how prolific the Buddleia is on this station platform and along the tracks (image below).
And closer to home see how Field horsetail (image below) does not mind living outside the field, as it takes over a residential property. Horsetail is particularly tricky to get rid of so best avoid letting it get to this stage.
The key is to spot it early and call in the professionals to get it identified, under control or completely removed before it spreads. look at this Giant hogweed infestation (image below) that has encroached onto a neighbour’s land. If this had been treated at the early stage of growth (image below bottom) and before the seed heads emerge it would have been controlled. This situation leads to encroachment disputes that can have legal implications, and can be easily avoided by having a professional survey carried out when the plant is emerging and becomes visible.
How bad is it?
We often get asked questions such as “how prolific are invasive plants, and should I be worried?” In this article we’ve already looked at how invasive plants are taking over vast swathes of the UK, and why controlling them is so important. With more than half the country’s plant species originating from outside the UK (non-native), it’s bad! These non-native invasive plants grow in such a manner, speed and scale that they threaten and deplete our own species – so we must do all we can to protect the natives.
Look at how the aquatic weed Crassula Helmsii (image below) has taken over a complete water system, effectively shutting it down and the species it is meant to support, but which have been suffocated. What once was a healthy lake with plants, insects and fish thriving in a balanced ecosystem, has become a dense impenetrable carpet through which no light or oxygen can reach the species beneath it.
What is the biggest cause of invasive species today?
Invasive species are spread primarily by human activities, often unintended but nevertheless it happens all the time. People and goods transported or travelling up and down the UK often carry uninvited species with them. It’s how historically non-natives spread from their initial landing place, to become the national threat they are today. Articles like this one help to create awareness of how easily a small fragment of invasive plant can be carried further afield and recolonise. Of course birds and wildlife are also culprits as they carry seeds on their feathers or bodies or in their droppings (from seeds ingested).
How are invasive species regulated in the UK?
The UK has several laws that regulate invasive species, including the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (WCA) and the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014. The WCA makes it illegal to plant or grow plants in the wild if they’re listed in Schedule 9 of the Act. The act also gives the Secretary of State the power to ban the sale of invasive non-native species (INNS) and ten years ago, for instance ten years ago five of the UK’s worst invasive water plants were banned. The EU Regulation on Invasive Alien Species also lists 49 plant species that should not be planted in the wild and are banned from being sold.
If they’re everywhere what can I do?
The GB Non Native Species Secretariat states; “A refreshed strategy is needed to tackle these species and prevent them from derailing our wider environmental ambitions.” UK, Scottish and Welsh governments have committed to protect 30% of land and ocean globally by 2030. But it’s not just government that is taking action, we can and should all play a part in protecting our native species and the environment.
We’ve put together a checklist of simple tasks that will collectively make a difference:
- Be vigilant – watch out for plant species that appear to be taking over your land or property, and don’t ignore it. Remember some species such as Hemlock or Ragwort are poisonous to animals if ingested!
- Get it checked – if you have a suspect invasive plant on your property send some pictures to us to have it professionally identified.
- Prevent spread – be aware of transporting invasive plant material on your boots, equipment or in gardening waste. Invasive plants need to be disposed of in a compliant manner according to government guidelines and legislation. Some plants, such as Ragwort even has it’s own code of conduct – The Ragwort Act.
If you have a question for the team about any invasive plants (even if you’re not sure what it is), please get in touch using the form below.