Ho Ho Ho, Invasive-Free Santa here! The Sea to Sky region is home to many naughty invasive plants hiding behind their nice native lookalikes. Learning how to distinguish between invasive and native plants is a very important skill, especially when it comes to reporting sightings. It is our Christmas mission to weed out the naughty invasives from the nice native species. Do you accept this mission?
Pearly Everlasting vs. Baby’s Breath
These two plants look alike, but can you tell the ‘naughty’ invasive apart from the ‘nice’ native?
One of these plants harks from Eurasia and was bought over as a garden ornamental. It is an extremely aggressive spreader and hard to eliminate due to its large taproot.
The other plant is native to North America and is associated with immortality in many cultures. It is sometimes found in funeral flower arrangements.
Photo credit: Mary Ellen (Mel) Harte, Bugwood.org
Photo credit: J. Leekie
Bachelor’s Buttons vs. Blue Flax
These two plant might have similar flower colours, but don’t be fooled!
One of these flowers originates from Southern Europe, where it is known as a cornflower. In BC, it behaves invasively and has been spotted in Whistler but not (yet) in Squamish or Pemberton.
The other flower is native to North America; its relatives were used in Europe more than 30,000 years ago to produce rope and textiles.
Photo credit: J. LaForest, University of Georgia, Bugwood.org
Photo credit: D. Powell, USDA Forest Service (retired), Bugwood.org
Oxeye Daisy vs. Arnica
With pretty flowers like these two, how could either be ‘naughty’?
One of these plants made its way to North American shores from Europe as a grass seed contaminant. Since then, this plant has spread throughout BC’s roadsides, pastures, waste areas, grasslands, and forested areas.
The other plant is native to North America and is used within tea due to its possible health benefits. This plant also has a distinct pine-sage odour.
Photo credit: ME Harte, Bugwood.org
Results
How did you do on our quiz? Check your answers below to find out!
‘Nice’ Native Plants
Pearly Everlasting (Anaphalis margaritaceae), Blue Flax (Linum lewisii) and Arnica (Arnica cordifolia) are native to BC!
Photo credit: Mary Ellen (Mel) Harte, Bugwood.org
Photo credit: D. Powell, USDA Forest Service (retired), Bugwood.org
Photo credit: ME Harte, Bugwood.org
‘Naughty’ Invasive Plants
Baby’s Breath (Gypsophila paniculata), Bachelor’s Buttons (Centaurea cyanus) and Oxeye Daisy (Leucanthemum vulgare) have landed on the ‘naughty’ list due to their invasive characteristics.
Brush up on your invasive species knowledge…
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