About invasive plant species

“An invasive species is a non-native species whose introduction and spread threaten ecosystems or species and cause economic or environmental damage.”

Hogweed is known even to those who have never encountered this dangerous and ubiquitous plant. However, among invasive plant species, there are those that cause no less harm. These include agricultural crops, quarantine weeds, and those that are still used by gardeners as ornamental and honey plants.

SOSNOWSKI'S HOGWEED is a very large (up to 3 meters) biennial or perennial plant of the Apiaceae family. The plant secretes a transparent phototoxic sap, which causes burns when it comes into contact with human skin and is exposed to ultraviolet radiation. Sosnowski's hogweed poses a threat to human health and causes environmental problems, as its rapidly developing population displaces other plants and maintains a dominant position in the territories it occupies.

CANADA GOLDENROD is also a non-native invasive plant species for the Republic of Belarus. It is included in the list of particularly dangerous invasive plant species. Some people grow it in their gardens and around their homes. However, it is forbidden to use goldenrod for landscaping. The uncontrolled spread of this species leads to the suppression and even complete displacement of other plants from natural ecosystems. Canada goldenrod is an allergenic aggressive plant; each individual produces over 20,000 seeds (with a germination rate of 50-90%), which pose a threat to human health by increasing morbidity, as goldenrod pollen provokes allergic reactions in people.

Various methods can be used to combat invasive plant species; the main ones are mechanical (removal, digging, mowing of plants), chemical (treatment of plants with herbicides, as well as plowing (before flowering, followed by disking, at least 4 times per season), sowing with grass mixtures or forest crops.

Do not use these types of plants for landscaping and greening on personal plots, do not plant them for decorative purposes. Any of the above-mentioned means to prevent the spread of harmful invasive plants, the application of appropriate measures for their eradication, are key to success.

For untimely measures to eradicate invasive plants, landowners on whose lands invasive wild plants grow bear responsibility in accordance with the legislation of the Republic of Belarus.