The Allegheny National Forest and even our own back yards face a
problem with non-native species of plants growing there.
Non-native invasive plants can cause harm both economically and
environmentally to any area they are allowed to spread if not
stopped.
They also force native species of plants out of areas, which in
turn affects pollinators and wildlife that rely on them.
One way to combat non-native species takeover is to plant with
native wildflowers in home gardens. Native plants provide pollen,
nectar, seeds and roots that support native wildlife with food or
cover.
Officials of the Allegheny National Forest, including April
Moore, forest ecologist who has a specialty in botany and
non-native invasive species, are interested in educating the public
in ways to prevent the further spread of non-native invasive
species to prevent the decline of native plants.
The ANF officials say that not only are non-native species of
plants threatening our backyard flora, but there are five
non-native species that are dangerous to the Allegheny National
Forest.
They include garlic mustard, which outcompetes native plants and
produces a chemical that is toxic to the West Virginia butterfly,
and exotic bush honeysuckles, which were originally planted as food
for birds but have been found to not carry the nutrients some birds
need to sustain them. Another invader is Japanese barberry, which
shades out native plants and changes the chemical makeup of the
soil around it. Japanese knotweed is hard to control and spreads
quickly to form dense areas that push out native plants. The
multiflora rose also pushes out native plants with its aggressive
growth behavior.
Also hurting the forest flora are those who dig it up to put in
their own gardens without thought to what they do or do not leave
behind. Some plants have been put on the endangered species list
due to people stealing quantities of them and disturbing their
natural habitat.
Permits are available for people interested in getting some
native plants for their gardens.
Moore explained that some local plant vendors sell non-native
plants to shoppers who don’t realize they pose potential harm. She
suggests that consumers be aware of what they purchase and work to
keep native plants in home gardens.
Examples of invasive plants sold at nurseries include burning
bush, butterfly bush, English ivy and Japanese spirea. Each of
these types of plants has at least one similar native plant that
could be planted in its place.
There are more than 2,100 native plant species known in
Pennsylvania.
Information provided by the forest service Web site includes the
fact that native species of plants are heartier than non-native
plants and can be sustained with less attention than needed by
non-native plants. Native plants require less water, fertilizers
and pesticides and provide erosion prevention.
Reasons non-native plants pose such a danger include the fact
that when introduced to a new area, they don’t have natural enemies
such as insects or disease to control them and their growth. A lot
of them are also unpalatable to deer so they are left to grow.
Problem plants to keep out of yard landscaping include burning
bush, which has a fall color to it; Japanese Wisteria which has
showy fragrant flowers; Japanese Honeysuckle which is also
fragrant; and purple loostrife which has a long bloom and is
tolerant of watery areas.
Those interested in more information could go to the U.S. Forest
Service Web site and search the wildflower category.
