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Exotic & Invasive PlantsGalleries 1 2 3Since the first European explorers made their way to its shores, Florida has acquired approximately 1,300 imported plant species which having found their way into the natural landscape are now existing and reproducing apart from cultivation.Initially most were brought here as food sources with early settlers, some were introduced by collectors as specimens and in more recent times many were, and still are being used for decorative landscaping. Other species arrived here as stowaway's - seeds hidden among imported shipments of other goods from around the world.The problem exotic plants are the ones considered "invasive", a lack of naturally occurring controlling factors such as disease or insect pests combined with the fact that in their native land they must often be very aggressive growers just to survive can give them enough of an advantage to outgrow and overwhelm Florida's native species.Invasive exotics plant species are one of the greatest threat to Florida's indigenous plant species and natural ecosystems, surpassed only by habitat destruction through careless development.Once established they are very difficult to eradicate and displace the plants which the native herbivores (plant eating animals) depend upon as food sources which consequently leave the infested area in search of an alternate food source & habitat.These displaced plant eaters are prey animals for the predatory species, Hawks, Eagles, Foxes, Bobcats and the magnificent Florida Panther all depend on them for food, so they in turn are also forced out of the area leaving a landscape barren of life except for the noxious invasive plant that began the cycle.Exotic and invasive plants are divided into two classifications * In Florida there are 67 Category One plants that are causing ecological damage to native plant communities and 71 Category Two plants that are spreading and increasing in range but have not yet caused ecological damage.**Source* - current listed species of exotic and invasive plants in Florida can be found at the FLEPPC website - * Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council.How to help ...Residents can help stop the spread of damaging exotics and aid in the preservation of Florida's unique biodiversity. The best practice is not to introduce known invasive or potentially invasive plants into home landscaping, substituting instead native species where possible and limiting the use of exotics to those that are not invasive.Identifying and removing existing invasive plants from your property prevents the spread of seeds into the wild by birds or other animals and the wind.Joining a local chapter of a conservation group such as the Florida chapter of the Audubon Society or Sierra Club provides a means of voicing concern as a group to local, state and federal government.Related web sitesFlorida Native Plant Society - http://www.fnps.org/The National Audubon Society - http://www.audubon.org/Florida State Parks - http://www.floridastateparks.org/Sierra Club, Florida Chapter - http://www.sierraclub.org/fl/The Florida Native Plant Society - http://www.fnps.org/Click pictures to see full sized imagesPictures - Brazilian Peppertree fruit, flowers.Name - Brazilian Pepper Tree, Brazilian Holly, Florida Pepper Tree(Schinus terebinthifolius)Category 1 InvasiveFamily - AnacardiaceaeDescription - Perennial shrub or small tree up to 40 feet in height, forms dense thickets of tangled branches and stems. Originally introduced as an ornamental the "Florida Peppertree" as it is often referred to, is a major problem in Florida.Produces chemical compounds which suppress native species growth. Very aggressive invader of many habitats, estimated to occupy over 700,000 acres in central and southern Florida. Leaves have a "peppery" smell when crushed. Sap is a irritant similar to that of Poison Ivy to which it is related. Smoke from burning wood is also toxic.Pictures - Melaleuca trees with inset of leaf detail, dense thicket typical of Melaleuca in a wetland habitat.Name - Broad-leaved Paperbark, Papertree, Punk tree(Melaleuca quinquenervia)Category 1 InvasiveFamily - Myrtaceae (Myrtle family)Habitat- Prefers seasonally flooded areas but also grows in upland habitats.Description - Category 1 Invasive specie. Height 80 to 100 feet with slender crown, leaves are 4-5 inches long, lance shaped grey-green in color produce a camphor-like smell when crushed. Yellowish-white flowers are produced on bottle brush shaped spikes to 6 inches long, followed by clusters of 3/8 inch round or cylindrical woody capsulesSeeds were intentionally scattered by air over the Everglades in the 1930's with the idea being to help dry out swamps, it is now a major pest in south Florida, particularly in wetland habitats. This fast growing (3-6 feet a year) Australian native forms very dense stands, crowding out all other plants.Picture - Lantana in bloomName - Lantana, Shrub verbena (Lantana camara)Category 1 InvasiveFamily - Verbenaceae (Verbena family)
Description - Perennial, Deciduous. Shrub/Vine.
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