Stop alien plants in their tracks

Alien or invasive plants can cause havoc for our natural biodiversity and habitat, and often run wild in your average gardens.

Karin Spottiswood, spokesperson for the Friends of Kloofendal says, a majority of invasive plants are from Australia and are infamous for their ability to spread very quickly. She says having any alien plants in your garden is highly prohibited and can lead to a fine.

“We need to eradicate them and be able to identify them. Our insects do not eat these plants and they virtually have no value. They need to create a mono culture,” said Spottiswood.

The Kloofendal Nature Reserve get monthly hacks where the invasive plants are cut and removed as much as possible, she continues “It is not easy to get rid of them. You cut them and often they grow back stronger than before.” Karen adds that in many cases, cutting them or pulling them out is simply not enough, you need to poison them for a more permanent solution.

The reserve is filled with alien plants that grow wild next to the river. Spottiswood says they are hazardous because many South African insects and animals survive mostly on grass.

She says enthusiastic gardeners need to get permits if they want to grow any plant that is not indigenous and with that, one would need to prove what you will do with them.

It is better to be safe than sorry; if you are still uncertain of what an alien plant is or how to identify one, click on www.invasives.org.za