WHAT TO KEEP AND WHAT TO WEED OUT
Earth Caretaker explains "Alien Plants are those that are not native to a particular area. There is debate over what a "native" plant is. In North America, it is usually taken to mean a plant that was growing here before the invasion of Europeans.
Alien plants may be invasive or non-invasive. The whole issue of alien plants is important because of those that are invasive. An invasive plant is one that "takes over" an area or ecosystem.
Noxious Weed Control Act Ontario
List of 25 plants you probably should not grow or encourage unless in a restricted area.
Narrow Leaf Bird Foot Trefoil
Non-Native
Fabaceae (pea) faimly
Origin: Eurasia
Bladder Campion
Non-Native
Red Shank
Non-Native
Invasive
Hoary Alyssum
Non-Native
Mustard family
Yellow Salsify
Scientific Name: Tragopogon dubius
Native to southern and central Europe and western Asia.
Edible: a relative of the parsnip in the dandelion family, it is a delicious, winter vegetable. It is more nutritious than most starchy vegetables like potatoes; all parts can be eaten, including the roots, stems, flower buds and seeds.
Chicory
Scientific Name: Cichorium intybus
Non-Native
Native to Europe and Africa.
Edible: Chicory grows along the roadside or in fields. The root is used as a coffee substitute.
Field Sow Thistle
Scientific Names: Sonchus arvensis
Non-Native, registered noxious weed in Ontario
Native to Eurasia
Edible: The leaves, flowers and roots are edible. These are best consumed when the plant is young because the older it gets the more bitter it becomes. Once it becomes bitter you can cook with it or mix it with pleasant-tasting greens. Leaf spines need to be removed. The leaves are rich in mineral salts and vitamin C. Harvesting the root while young is preferred and can be roasted and ground to use like coffee.
Wild Morning Glory
Scientific Name: Calystegia sepium
Height: Grows on a trellis or fence, also called Field Bindweed (C. arvensis, European) as it can grow up corn and bind growth.
Some say it is native others say non-native. The Canadian Encyclopedia says it is native to Tropical America.
Lesser Stitchwort
Scientific Name: Stellaria graminea
Non-Native
Native to Eurasia.
Grows low as a ground cover flowering all summer. A perennial herb spread by rhizomes.
Sulphur Cinquefoil
Scientific Name: Potentilla recta
Non-Native
Habitat: for small bees & flies
Native to Eurasia.
Viper Bugloss
Scientific Name:
Non-Native
Yellow Rocket
Scientific Name: Barbarea vulgaris
Non-Native
Mustard family
Edible leaves and flowers, are bitter as they grow older.
Earth Caretaker Alien Plant Directory
* * *
