Synonyms: Reynoutria japonica, Polygonum cuspidatum What is it? Also known as Mexican bamboo, Fleeceflower, Japanese Polygonum or Huzhang, and many other names, the Japanese Knotweed is a shrub-like semi-woody perennial plant native to East Asia known for its resilience, and attractive bamboo-like stems with large broad leaves and clusters of flowers. First introduced to NorthContinue reading “Japanese Knotweed – Fallopia japonica”
Author Archives: Thomas Wu
Purple Loosestrife – Lythrum Salicaria
What is it? If there is any invasive species Canadians may want to keep, it is the purple loosestrife. One of the more beautiful invasive species, the purple loosestrife is appropriately named for the colourful plumes of pinkish-purple flowers blooming throughout summer. While eye-catching, the purple loosestrife is not just a pretty bloom; it wasContinue reading “Purple Loosestrife – Lythrum Salicaria”
Garlic Mustard – Alliaria petiolata
What is it? Garlic mustard, sometimes called hedge garlic, poor man’s mustard, garlic root, and many other names, is an invasive biennial herb native to Europe. As expected from its name, all parts of this plant give off a distinctive garlic scent. It was introduced to North America during the 1800s as a culinary herbContinue reading “Garlic Mustard – Alliaria petiolata “
Norway Maple – Acer platanoides
What is it? The Norway maple is an invasive deciduous tree native to Eurasia, the hardwood of which is commonly used in furniture and other products. Music lovers may be interested to know it may have been one of the woods used to produce the famous Stradivari violins! First introduced to North America in theContinue reading “Norway Maple – Acer platanoides”
European buckthorn – Rhamnus carthartica
What is it? The European buckthorn, common buckthorn, or just buckthorn, is an invasive flowering tree native to Europe that was introduced in the 1880s to Canada, and has since spread across the country, becoming widespread throughout eastern Canada by the 1900s. They remain common across Ontario, having been naturalized in many regions and areContinue reading “European buckthorn – Rhamnus carthartica”
Dog Strangling Vine – Cynanchum rossicum (formerly Vincetoxicum rossicum)
What is it? Dog strangling vine, also known as European swallowwort, pale swallowwort or just swallowwort is a perennial non-woody flowering plant, native to southeastern Europe and Asia, and introduced to North America in the 1800s for gardening but which has since become invasive. Contrary to its menacing name, this vine like plant cannot strangle man’s best friend but its rapid spread across southern Ontario and parts ofContinue reading “Dog Strangling Vine – Cynanchum rossicum (formerly Vincetoxicum rossicum) “
Invasive Plants Be Gone! 