Invasive Plants

Water Hyacinth

An invasive plant is a plant that is moved on purpose or accident. It is not a natural plant for the area it is found in. Generally an invasive plant is moved for food and it's unusual appearance. They have to be managed intensively or they will overgrow crops and completely take over natural ecosystem. An example of an emergent invasive plant is the Purple Loosestrife. This plant has purple flowers, grows six feet tall, and is added to wetlands for color. The Purple Loosestrife replaces native vegetation, clogs irrigation canals, and is a problem in all 50 states except Florida. A submergent plant is the Hydrilla. This invasive plant grows more than one inch per day, has no seeds, and is a submersed perennial. The problems this plant causes are impeding navigation and shades out desirable native vegetation. The free floating plant is a Water Hyacinth. The Water Hyacinth has a lavender flower, up takes nutrients in the water,the fastest growing plant, and feeds cattle. This plant causes problems by reducing oxygen levels and blocking waterways. These invasive plants are not a problem in their native areas because that is why they are there. If it's their native area, the plant is in their natural environment. However,these plants are invasive to any other area besides Eurasia, Southeast Asia, and South America. Those three plants come from those areas so it is natural for them to be there and wouldn't cause problems.

Purple Loosestrife

Hydrilla