Have you noticed any of your local trails clogging up with odd – or oddly familiar – plant life? Very often you’re seeing invasive plants, garden escapees that flourish because they are not native to the region and have no natural enemies to keep them in check.
Viewer Tip: You can help by signing up for the citizen-scientist program at www.texasinvasives.org and identifying and reporting invasive plants and critters. These pests cost the U.S. about 137 billion dollars annually in control efforts because of the damage they do to crops, fisheries, forests and natural areas. Common invasive plants in much of Texas include Japanese honeysuckle, privet (also called ligustrum), Chinese wisteria and giant reed.
This information is provided by The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center partners with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and other organizations in working to control invasive species.
