Plant Invasive Species Alberta Residents Should Be Wary Of
Introduced plants that grow in an aquatic setting and on land have no natural means of control, and when not identified and removed, these invasive plant species will quickly spread and compete with the native species in Alberta’s ecosystem. But what exactly do these plant-invasive species in Alberta look like? Are they big, furrow-browed, and night crawlers? Are they small, quick, and discreet?
Often, most invasive species are quite pretty. It’s common for them to disguise themselves as a type of weed in your garden beds or a kind of wildflower growing in a field. That’s part of the reason why non-native species continue to survive in Alberta’s landscape. While the government of Alberta is taking action to properly identify and reduce the risk of these harmful species infiltrating livestock, crops, and homeowners’ backyards, our Edmonton arborists have developed a simple guide that can help Albertans identify these harmful plant species before they destroy their own property.
At Trusty Tree Services, we feel it’s our responsibility to properly educate Edmonton homeowners about invasive species. Alberta is home to a population of native plants and trees, but introducing invasive species can threaten local biodiversity. By raising awareness and providing you with the proper tools for identification, we aim to help residents protect their gardens and preserve the natural beauty of our Wild Rose province.
Plants That Are Invasive Species: Alberta
Alberta faces a variety of plant species that pose a major threat to the ecosystem. There are two categories of species: Prohibited Noxious or simply Noxious. For the former, these invasive species need to be eradicated as soon as they are spotted. These can be controlled but require careful management to prevent further spreading. Let’s take a look at a few common Prohibited Noxious invasive species Alberta can be affected by.
Prohibited Noxious Species
A prohibited noxious species is a serious threat, and when encountered, it must be eradicated immediately. When left to their own devices, prohibited noxious species are like parasites that can rapidly harm the local ecosystem. Prohibited noxious plant species can outcompete native species for food and nutrients, leading to a significant decrease in biodiversity. Let’s take a look at some of the most notorious prohibited noxious species to be on the lookout for:
- Himalayan Balsam: The Himalayan Balsam is native to Asia but can reduce the habitats for native wetland plants and animals. They also draw pollinators away from native plants. These invasive plants have been found in Alberta along rivers and lakes. Their leaves are simple and oblong-shaped with serrated edges. The flowers are irregular, with five purple to pink to white petals.
- Salt Cedar: When you see these invasive species, Alberta residents may be tempted to leave them alone because of their beautiful appearance. However, though they’re beautiful, they can cause much destruction to native plants. Salt Cedars ingest and excrete salt, preventing the growth of other plants in the process. This invasive plant re-sprouts easily from root and stem parts, making it a tough species to extinct in our province. When Salt Cedar spreads, like the Himalayan Balsam, it can invade river banks and natural areas. There are numerous slender and small branches with a greyish-green overlap. The bark of young branches is smooth and reddish-brown.
- St. John’s Wort: This is an invasive species Alberta knows well. However, St. John’s Wort is also invasive to British Columbia. St. John’s Wort is very poisonous to livestock and, during its reign, can even overcrowd native forage species in pastures. This invasive species is not easily overlooked because it grows tall, and the flower is yellow. If you see St. John’s Wort in your backyard, you can simply pull it out as if you were weeding thistle or chickweed.
- Autumn Olive: When left to their own devices, Autumn olives can grow rapidly and uncontrollably, spreading across the edges of forests, roadsides, meadows, and grassland. You’ll know it’s an Autumn Olive if you see a large, tall bush with red berries growing from the branches.
Noxious Species
Noxious species are still invasive to native ecosystems, but unlike prohibited noxious species, they have to be controlled rather than eradicated. Let’s take a look at our overview of the most common noxious species that you may encounter:
- Dame’s Rocket: These invasive plant species invade waterways, wetland margins, farm fence rows, and tree lines. Dame’s Rocket can outcompete native vegetation and is spreading at an alarming rate. Dame’s Rocket thrives in moderately moist soils, so you will likely find it in wooded areas and forest edges. They have alternate, lance-shaped leaves with serrated edges, and the flowers have four petals that range from white to lavender to pink.
- Creeping Bellflower: These are a significant invasive species Alberta has been affected by for years. They have heart-shaped basal leaves, which become lance-shaped higher up the stem. They have purple bell-shaped flowers and bloom on a spike. These species are often mistaken for the native harebell, the difference being Creeping Bellflowers have taller stems and larger flowers. These plant species are resistant to some herbicides, making them very difficult to eradicate. But should you encounter one, simply pull the plant upward by its stem to remove it.
- Yellow Clematis: You’ll know you have a Yellow Clematis on your property if you notice yellow, bell-shaped flowers and leaves with pointed tips. The wind-dispersed seeds allow for rapid spread beyond your garden bed. The vines will grow rapidly, climbing and covering native vegetation. They can even climb onto fences and other structures around your property.
- Common Baby’s Breath: With numerous, tiny white flowers and lance-shaped leaves, these are an invasive species Albertans and British Columbia residents need to be wary of. Often, you’ll smell them before you notice them. They’re a prolific seed producer, with a single plant producing thousands of seeds. Baby’s Breath will outcompete native vegetation and lower the water table. You’ll commonly find Baby’s Breath in cemeteries and old homesteads.
Stop the Spread of Plant Invasive Species Edmonton Homeowners!
If you find an invasive species Alberta has been affected by but don’t know exactly what to do with it, you can contact Trusty Tree Services online or give us a call at 780-860-5500. As residents of this beautiful land, we’re all responsible for stopping the spread of introduced species. There isn’t room for species that can potentially harm or destroy our native ecosystems. When you notice an invasive plant species, Edmonton homeowners should dispose of it as quickly as possible to improve the health and longevity of Alberta’s ecosystem.