Himalayan Balsam (Impatiens grandulifera)
I is for INVASIVE
So what is an invasive plant? It's a non-native species that competes with and replaces native plants in their natural habitat causing the natural vegetation to become endangered.
Although Himalayan Balsam is an annual, each plant produces an incredible about of seeds (approx. 800 per plant), eventually creating dense stands that prevent native plants from growing. Also, because Himalayan Balsam produces is a prolific producer of nectar, pollinators gravitate to them rather than to native species.
Purple Loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria)
Another plant that grows in dense stands, is Purple Loosestrife, which clogs irrigation canals and reduces the forage value of pastures.
St. Johnswort (Hypericum perforatum)
In addition to crowding out native species, St. Johnswort is toxic to livestock with light-coloured skin causing severe sunburn on normal sunny days.
I am linking to Jenny Matlock at Alphabe-Thursday HERE
What lovely flowers--and with names, too! We have many invasive plants that were brought here. I loved morning glories in the US but here, they grown EVERYWHERE and make me crazy trying to keep the flowerbeds weeded!
ReplyDeleteSort of the illegal immigrants of the plant world.
ReplyDeleteWe have a similar problem with purple loosestrife here, and morning glory (aka bindweed).
ReplyDeleteyes, often many of the non-indigenous and invasive species are actually 'attractive' - nice photos
ReplyDeleteGreat series, and information!
ReplyDeleteso much beauty so much damage... the are really pretty flowers...
ReplyDeleteThis is highly informative with nice pictures.
ReplyDeleteI have a problem with jewelweed,I admit I don`t pull it all out because the hummingbirds just love it.The flowers on your plants are lovely,Phyllis
ReplyDeleteWhat pretty flowers, too bad they are such problems where they grow.
ReplyDeleteDarla
Problematic though they might be, they are beautiful!
ReplyDeletewe have several invasives here, too. but they sure are pretty!
ReplyDeleteNice looking plants. Too bad they don't play friendly.
ReplyDeleteThey are such pretty flowers, and it's unfortunate that they cause problems. We have some real serious problems with Loosestrife here. :-(
ReplyDeletebeautiful flowers!
ReplyDeleteThere seems to be a downside to a lot of pretty things.
ReplyDeleteIt's unfortunate that some invasive plants are so beautiful.
ReplyDeleteOh my! such beautiful invaders! What a shame they are too abundant, to put it nicely! The Loosestrife is gorgeous!!! I have never seen any, I think there is none around here! So does your yard have any of these? In our yard, we fight with English Plantain. But there are plenty of others in nearby yards. Hedge Bindweed, Mouse Eared Hawkweed,Chickweed and Dandelions. The last two are beautiful and I consider them wildflowers, not weeds.
ReplyDeletePretty isn't always good...
ReplyDeleteThey are pretty flowers though.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful flowers! :)
ReplyDeleteBeautiful flowers! :)
ReplyDeleteWell, they are very pretty! I did not know that about St. John's Wort. Interesting stuff!
ReplyDeleteIt is sad to think that so many beautiful flowers and plants are so invasive.
ReplyDeleteThey are pretty flowers, it is a shame they are invasive.. Lovely photos.
ReplyDeleteSo many plants are invasive and beautiful ~ Lovely photography of florals for Alphabe ~ thanks, ^_^
ReplyDeleteartmusedog and carol (A Creative Harbor)
It's hard to believe something so pretty is an annoying weed.
ReplyDeleteOn the Georgia coast, we have water Hyacinth. It will take over just about anywhere there is standing water. Although it is pretty, it robs the water of oxygen, and kills off other native plants.
ReplyDeleteSome of those invasive species are such a pain. Luckily, my goats like to eat some of those invasive plants, and I'm starting to see some more native plants coming back in my pasture.
ReplyDeleteIt sometime seems like I have every weed known to man, but I think I am free of those three. Though, I have seen a lot of loosestrife around, usually is places that have regular moisture, like marsh edges or drainage ditches.
ReplyDeleteLove these. I never knew what St. Johns looked like.
ReplyDeleteWe have these, I brought them in. Touch-me-nots, himilayan balsam. I did not know when I did it! sigh.
ReplyDeleteYet, many of our elm trees are dying. I just odn't know what to make of it!
Wonderful macros !
ReplyDeleteBeautiful flowers! It`s a shame that they`re too abundant.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful, even if we don't want them taking over.
ReplyDeleteOne of my horses got into a noxious weed and it caused a photo reaction on his (white) legs. He was burned pretty badly. He's ok now, but it was bad for a while...
ReplyDeleteNever seen any of those growing around here. Invasive or not, they are all pretty and I like the properties in the St. John's Wort.
ReplyDeleteI for Informative! Great post with terrific photos and info♪ http://lauriekazmierczak.com/imposing/
ReplyDeleteWe have a lot of invasive species around here, too, although most of ours are not very pretty.
ReplyDeleteThere is an odd vine that seems to be taking over the desert with ugly little inedible melons.
Yours are much prettier.
They also have a big problem around with here the invasive mussels. It's almost scary to see how quickly things can multiply!
Thanks for an interesting link to the letter I.
A+++