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 THE ECOLOGICAL NIGHTMARE-INVASIVE NON-NATIVE PLANTS (escaped
exotics)

The first step in understanding the problem posed by escaped exotic
plants is a definition the term.  Native plants have obviously lived
and adaped in California for thousands of years.  The first wave of
exotic plants brought to California by European settlers included
filaree, stinging nettle, and soon to follow Star Thistle in 1869.

Many common weeds in California are indeed exotic species and
include such nusiances as above mentioned Star Thistle, bindweed,
bermuda grass, Burr clover, puncture vine and wild mustard.  Many of
these plants had adapted to thousands of years of dought,
overgarzing and disturbance by humans in Europe, Asia and the Near
East.  They have naturalized in the relatively mild climate of
California, and having no natural control, can outcompete and
replace the native plants.

The second group of invasive plants have come from the horticultural
and nursery trades.  The nursery trade has also taken advantage of
the California climate in propagating plants from other parts of the
country and other continents, and promoting them here.  People
relocating to California also tend to buy and plant the species they
are familiar with.  Oddly enough, early settlers to California were
astonished by the beauty and diversity of native plants and
wildflowers, and many were taken back to England in the 1800's and
brought into cultivation there.  Native plants have been relatively
ignored until recently by the nursery trade. Ornamental non-native
INVASIVE plants still propagated in California include: Pampas
Grass, Scotch Brooom, Pyracantha, Cotoneaster, Vinca, Fountain
Grass, and English and German Ivy.

Why are these invasive species such a problem?  Native plants form
the basis for the food chain in California.  They support an
extremely complex interacton of plant, insect, reptile, rodent, bird
and animal life.  Native plants provide nectar for hummingbirds and
beneficial insects; seeds and berries for birds, rodents and
mammals; and shelter for all animal life.  One species of exotic
plant (for example Arundo donax, giant reed grass), can invade an
area and displace hundreds of species of native plants that support
a diverse community.  This new monoculture will provide no support
for the natural food chain and will become a biological wasteland.

These exotic species are often dispersed by wind, or worse, more
widely dispersed by birds.  Some, such as Vinca, will spread by
rooting stolons and runners. Many seeds have life expectancies of
many years.

A current bill before the California Legislature would ban the sale
of French and Scotch Broom, Pampas Grass, Acacia decurrens, Fountain
Grass, Tamarisk, and Gorse.

We, in Lake County, have the opportunity now to preserve our
extremely rich and varied native flora by encouraging the homeowner
(especially those in rural areas) to use native plants.  We
currently have problems with excaped ornamentals such as: Giant Reed
Grass, Tamarisk, Broom, Vinca and Tree of Heaven.  We need to
request native plants from the local nurseries-they are available
from wholesalers.

There is a growing understanding that excaped exotic organisms and
plants are the number one threat to our remaining natural
ecosystems. The National Park Service says exotic plants are the
most widespread threat to the natural resources of the parks.  Park
service rangers recently ranked exotic plants ahead of such other
problems as widlfires, overcrowing, pollution, vandalism, oil
drilling and off-road vehicles.

Members of the California Native Plant Society in other
counties often have groups that go out on weekends and pull invasive
plants.  The homeowner can first refuse to plant these exotics, and
secondly eradicate existing ones on their own property.

For more information or suggestions for natives that can replace
common non-native landscape plants please contact Karen Sullivan at
279-2868