Invasive Plants 101

Control and removal of invasive species is one of the mostimportant things to do when restoring or
maintining a natural area. Invasive species are non-native plants that have adapted too well to growing in
a certain area. They are often not eaten or controlled naturally because their predators are not present in
the new ecosystem. Invasive species will out-compete and displace native plants and drastically reduce
the ecosystem value of an area. This document will give a brief overview of the most common and/or
devastating potential invasive species..

Controlling weeds in gravel and among stepping-stones

In the parking lot and around the picnic areas, weeds such as thistles, unwanted grasses and (Creeping
vine) can be easily controlled by a few applications of 7% pickling vinegar sprayed on the plant on a hot,
sunny day. The vinegar-sun combination burns and bakes the plant leaves, essentially killing the plant.
However, this method is non-selective and will sterilize soils, so is not recommended for use in the native
garden and should never be used in natural areas.

Guide to common invasive plants at and around the Desert Centre:

Knapweed (Centuaria sp)

<mature ^young

Aggressive, taprooted tumbleweed. Easily pulled, gloves are needed.

Re-seed heavily with competitive native species after larger patches
are removed. Due to strong allelopathy, cleared patches must be
continually monitored for new knapweed shoots, however very
small (<30cm) knapweeds can be difficult to pull, as the taproot
easily breaks. Highly effective biocontrols are in effect, however,
mechanical removal helps reduce spread.

Hounds-Tongue (Cynoglossom officinale)

Toxic, aggressive biennial plant that spreads mainly
through its hooked seeds (burrs). Young plants are
fairly easy to pull, however, shovels are usually
needed to get the entire root of a full grown plant.
Hounds-tongue is shade tolerant and often grows
under antelope-brush and other shrubs, which can
make for awkward removal. It is best to pull during
flowering, before seeds form, to lower the risk of
inadvertent spread.

Young shoot^^ Mature plant >>

Puncturevine (Tribulus terrestris) RED ALERT. REMOVE ON SIGHT.

Highly aggressive mat-forming annual with viciously thorned seeds. If
seeds have not yet formed, find the central taproot and gently but firmly
pull the entire root out. If the root snaps, try and dig it out without
causing too much disturbance to the soil. If seeds have formed, pull
plant as above, but be very careful not to let seeds fall. After removal,
search the invaded area thoroughly for any fallen seeds.

Babys Breath (Gypsophila paniculata)

Deeply rooted biennial tumbleweed with an extremely deep taproot.
Extremely difficult to eradicate once established, so plants MUST be
removed on sight. Best to remove just after flowers form. Taproot is
extremely long, but does not have to be completely removed to halt
regrowth. Dig at least 6 inches below the surface when pulling babys
breath to ensure full removal or root crown. Seed with competitive
species in disturbed area. As Babys Breath has not established on the
Desert Centre property, removal of the occasional invader is crucial.

Toadflax (Linaria spp)

Nearly impossible to eradicate once established. Leave this
species as is. Biocontrol in effect.
DO NOT ATTEMPT TO PULL.

Tall Tumble-mustard (Sisymbrium altissimum)

Due to its shallow taproot, mustard is very easily pulled.
A firm tug is usually all that is needed to remove the
entire plant and root system. Produces staggering
amounts of long-lived seeds, so mechanical removal is
best supplemented with mowing (before it goes to seed!)
and competitive seeding with native plants

Thistle

Wavy-leaf thistle is the only thistle native to the Okanagan region. It is distinguished from other thistles
(Canada thistle, Scotch thistle, etc) by XXXXX. All other thisltes can be pulled blahblah

Creeping mat thing??

Delicate mat-forming (perennial?) Because it easily shreds, be gently, yet firm when pulling. Vines will reroot along their length, so pull from the outside of the plant, working towards the main taproot. It can
resprout from pieces left behind so be sure to gather all remnants of the plant after removal. Vinegar
spraying is highly effective for this species.

Showy Milkweed (Asclepias speciosa) ***

Though it is native and was intentionally planted on the
Desert Centre property, milkweed is an extremely hardy, fast
growing plant that spreads via seeds and vegetative root
shoots, as well as brokenoff pieces of root.
As such, it is difficult to
control in a
cultivated garden. Seed
pods must be cut
once developed leave
some to mature
for harvesting seed and
new stands
should be pulled and dug
up once found in
unwanted locations. Due to its aggressive nature, milkweed is
a good competitor with non-native invasives.