Farm Paddocks

Under a blue sky

Ahhhh! It was a beautiful summer day!

I am linking to Good Fences HERE.

And I am linking to Rurality Bloghop Here.

I/Alphabe-Thursday

 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