Exotic Plants in Alaska
- Cornflower is native to Europe.Kornblume blue bottle centaurea cyanus image by malamut68 from Fotolia.com
The rising temperatures and increasing numbers of visitors to Alaska each year are making the state a popular destination. However, these changes are effecting the natural ecosystems throughout the area, endangering native plants through the introduction of invasive exotic ones into the region. These exotic plants will compete with native flora for resources and can cause loss of habitat and food sources for native wildlife. The National Park Service of Alaska has developed strategies to reduce and/or eliminate the introduction of exotic plants into Alaska. - Also known as common burdock, the arctium minus is native to Eurasia. The plant is particularly invasive thanks to the prickly burrs on which the seeds are attached. These will adhere to anything that brushes against the plant, ensuring a wide dispersal. Each plant can produce up to 15,000 seeds every year.
- Centaurea Cyanus, L., or cornflower, is native to Europe. The plant tends to pop up spontaneously in cultivated fields or gardens. It is spread through pollination and is easily identified by its deep-blue flowers.
- Native to Asia, Russia and Europe, the oxeye daisy (chrysanthemum leucanthemum) is pollinated by bees and butterflies and will cause vomiting when ingested in large amounts. The plant will also affect the flavour of the milk from cows that eat it. Although mildly poisonous, the plant has been used medicinally by native tribes--such as the Quileute Indians--to soothe chapped hands.
- This plant is commonly known as potato weed and is native to South America. Aside from it's necessity for moist soil, the galinsoga parviflora is a tough plant that can flourish in acidic, neutral and basic conditions. The seeds are easily dispersed through animals and wind because of their light, hairy texture.
- Better known as catseer or false-dandelion, this close relative has very similar characteristics. Wind and animals will widely disperse the seeds, and these plants seem to thrive in virtually any terrain. They are native to Europe, Asia and North Africa.
- Native to Europe, Asia and North Africa, the sonchus oleraceus, or sowthistle, is a resilient plant which prefers disturbed areas--such as construction sites and wasteland--to grow. The seeds are released covered in white hairs that will easily attach themselves to passersby, or merely catch a ride on a breeze.
- Tragopogon dubius is spread quite rampantly through their fruiting process. The seeds of this European plant are carried from place to place very quickly due to the small hairs on the seeds. The plant is quite invasive as the habitat for growth is not specific. The tragopogon dubius can grow in virtually any terrain, yet prefers roadsides, railroads, fields, wastelands, meadows and lawn.
