Fauquier Residents Pulling Weeds

Residents of Fauquier donated their time last week to pull purple loosestrife, an aggressive alien invader. This plant species, originally from Europe, infests wetlands causing monocultures that can choke out native species.

Originally introduced as a garden ornamental, purple loosestrife can “hop” the garden fence, traveling down water corridors such as ditches, rivers, streams and lakes. In the United States, purple loosestrife is estimated to be spreading at a rate of 115,000 hectares per year, impacting the habitat of amphibians, fish, birds, and other aquatic-dependent species.

There is only one known infestation of purple loosestrife north of Castlegar in the Central Kootenay, and that is along the highway in Fauquier. This small patch of beautiful, tall purple flowers has caught the attention of local residents who are concerned about its spread into Arrow Lakes and associated wetland habitats.

Coordinated by the Central Kootenay Invasive Plant Committee, residents as well as the Rest Area Rangers crew from Ministry of Transportation came out last week to control purple loosestrife. Armed with clippers and garbage bags, they removed the flowerheads of the plants before they go to seed.

As well, local children, along with resident Rob Shiell, released biocontrol agents that were provided by the government in May. These small beetles chew the stems of the plants and weaken them, ideally preventing them from flowering. However, since it can take years until the beetles take effect, clipping the flowerheads helps with the control.

If you have purple loosestrife on your property, you should dig it up and carefully dispose of the garden waste in plastic bags, or by burying it far from water. Plants can be identified by the distinctive square stem and opposite leaves that have smooth edges.

Added on July 21st, 2006 - Return to Special Features