Thompson-Nicola Invasive Plant Management Committee

Invasive Plant of the Week: St. John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum)

St. John’s Wort is a perennial herb that is native to Eurasia. It has reddish stems and yellow flowers with five petals and pronounced stamens. It grows in avariety of soil types, but can be commonly found in grasslands, pastures or disturbed areas. This plant contains toxic compounds which can impact grazers, causing photosensitivity, weight loss and even death.

Neat fact: a single plant can produce up to 33,000 seed that stay viable for up to 10 years!

Check out the factsheet here:
https://www.tnrd.ca/invasive_plant/st-johns-wort/

Contact us if you have any questions about this plant: https://www.tnrd.ca/invasive_plant/st-johns-wort/
[email protected]

Toxic & Poisonous Invasive Plant: Giant Hogweed (Heracleum mantegazzianum)

This invasive, toxic herb is native to Asia and can grow up to 5m tall! It has a hollow green stem with purple blotches, dark green and lobed leaves with jagged edges, and white umbel shaped flower. It is highly toxic to humans; sap that touches skin causes hypersensitivity to light leading to irritation and dermatitis that persists for many years. Scaring and blindness may also result from sap contact to the face. Take extreme caution and do not handle these plants!

Note: This plant can be confused for the native cow parsnip. Check out its factsheet to learn the difference between these plants
https://www.tnrd.ca/invasive_plant/giant-hogweed/

Our furry friends can pick up more than just memories on the trail!

After exploring, check your pets and clean fur, paws, collar, and leash to remove seeds and plant fragments to help stop the spread of invasives!

Invasive Plant of the Week: Yellow Hawkweed Species (Hieracium spp.)

Yellow flowers can be deceiving - B.C. has 12 yellow-flowered hawkweed species that often hybridize, which makes them tricky to identify. Together they’re known as Yellow Hawkweed species (Hieracium spp.). These plants spread fast by roots, rhizomes, stolons, and seeds, and can quickly form dense patches that crowd out native plants, reduce biodiversity, and lower forage for wildlife and livestock.

Check out the factsheet here:
https://www.tnrd.ca/invasive_plant/yellow-hawkweed-species/

Contact us if you have any questions about this plant:
[email protected]
250-377-6297

The Nature Conservancy of Canada / Conservation de la nature Canada is hiring! If you’re passionate about protecting nature and supporting conservation work, this could be a great opportunity to turn that passion into impact. They are looking for a Stewardship Coordinator — see the details below and consider sharing with someone who would be a great fit.

Recruitment

Toxic & Poisonous Invasive Plant: Bittersweet Nightshade (Solanum dulcamara)

Bittersweet Nightshade is an invasive vining or semi-woody shrub that contains solanine, making it toxic to people, pets and livestock. It prefers moist to damp sites and is most commonly found along water edges, gardens, parks and roadsides. It is extremely competitive and reduces the presence of native shrubs and even small trees.

For more information and management tips check out its factsheet:
https://www.tnrd.ca/invasive_plant/bittersweet-nightshade/

Riparian areas are what keep our waters healthy, but what happens when invaders disrupt this balance?

Riparian areas are a critical transition zone between land and a water body where specialized vegetation acts as a water filter, bank stabilizer and critical wildlife habitat.

Invasive species specialized for these areas, like Yellow Flag Iris, readily outcompete native plants. Where infestations occur, the water cycle, soil stability and overall function of this critical area are drastically changed.

Help protect riparian areas by limiting disturbance and removing invasive species!

Invasive Plant of the Week: Russian Knapweed (Rhaponticum repens)

Russian Knapweed is a perennial herb introduced from Eurasia that spreads by both seed and rhizomes. It is extremely drought tolerant and most often found growing in dry areas with full sun but can also be found in more damp environments. This plant easily forms monocultures by producing chemicals that restrict the growth of nearby plants. It is also toxic to horses and is known to cause chewing disease if eaten in large quantities.

Neat fact: root fragments as small as 2.5cm in length can develop into a new plant!

For more information check out its factsheet here: https://www.tnrd.ca/invasive_plant/russian-knapweed/

Contact us with any questions or invasive plant sightings!
[email protected]
250-377-6297