Ah, spring – the days are longer, the flowers are blooming, AND we are launching our very first monthly contest (see below for details)!
But did you know that another sign of spring is the appearance of many invasive species? This week’s featured plant can bloom as early as April through to July, and its striking flowers are likely to have caught your attention if you spend time along our waterways. But unfortunately, this noxious weed is as destructive as it is beautiful (ok, maybe a little more destructive than beautiful).
Yellow Flag Iris (Iris pseudacorus) is a perennial invasive plant that grows most commonly in wetland and riparian areas. However, you may spot it in garden environments too. When not in bloom, this plant resembles the native Common Cattail. Nevertheless, it is easy to distinguish by its flat-based stem, fanned-out leaves, and three yellow tongue-shaped petals. Fun party fact, the Yellow Flag Iris is the only member of the iris family that produces an entirely yellow flower.
This water-logged weed spreads rapidly by seeds and plant roots, slowly choking out wetlands and blocking water flow. It grows in dense stands, displacing native plants, reducing habitat for local wildlife, trapping sediment, and altering watercourses. If that’s not bad enough, Yellow Flag Iris is toxic to humans and animals, causing skin irritation and gastrointestinal distress; please proceed with caution!
When it comes to removing Yellow Flag Iris, be prepared for the long haul. This noxious weed requires particular care when removed and may require several years of attention before completely eradicated. As always, do not compost any parts of the plant and wear gloves when handling toxic species. For more detailed information on identifying Yellow Flag Iris and removal methods, click here.
SSISC’s priority is to eradicate Yellow Flag Iris from the Sea to Sky region. That means there is still a chance to protect our local environment before the population becomes too widespread to control! But we need your help. Think you have spotted Yellow Flag Iris? Report it here or email us at info@ssisc.ca.
I Spy in the Sea to Sky Contest
And now for the fun part!
Guess the invasive species in our I spy in the Sea to Sky, posted every Monday, June through August, to enter the giveaway. Once a month, one lucky commenter will win a packet of native flowers seed mix.
Contest Rules:
- Comment your guess on either Instagram or Facebook to enter
- 1 entry per person per post
- Anyone can play, but only residents of the Sea to Sky region are eligible to win
- Entry will close at 11:59 PM PST on the last day of each month (in this case June 31st)
- Winners will be announced on the first business day of the next month (July 5th) and contacted via their platform of entry
- This giveaway is in no way sponsored or endorsed by Instagram or Facebook
Good luck!
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