Alien Pests:
These alien pests are known by a variety of names, including:
1. Non Indigenous Species
2. Non Native Species
3. Invasive Species
4. Exotic Invasives
5. Prohibited Exotic Species
6. Noxious Weeds
Probably the most damaging vine in the Non Native classification is Kudzu. This oriental plant has some amazing qualities. When the ends of the vines are elongating, it will sway until it touches a weed, or a tree branch, and immediately wrap itself around it's victim. It can, on hot summer days, grow as you watch it. Just don't stand there too long!
Kudzu was originally brought to the United States as a medicinal herb and as a foraging plant for livestock. It was often seen as the solution for erosion problems in the South Eastern United States, until it turned on us. Now it is eating up thousands of acres of pasture and forest. It can, as I said in the introduction, actually grow visibly as you watch. It is difficult to kill, and likely, impossible to eradicate. We will have to learn to co-exist.
Kudzu is only one of a multitude of alien pests already here or headed toward us. What can we do? Well, first arm yourself, with information. Learn about the problems we already have, and how to avoid introducing any new ones. Develop a healthy distrust of any friendly hitchhiking vines or other plants you might meet. For more information, go to your states Parks and Wildlife Department website, to see what's on your "Most Unwanted" list, or you can start at Alien Pest Either way, become informed, and become involved. It is important to our environment!
Stay tuned to this news source, for our sequel about exotic aquatic alien pest invaders, coming soon to a landscape near you!
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