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Target Species

The Metro Vancouver region has a number of invasive plant species to manage. IPCMV has organized this list of species into four categories: Prevent, Eradicate, Contain and Control. These categories help us to prioritize which species require management first (not always). This list is constantly changing as new species are confirmed, plants spread and/or plant populations increase. Many of the commonly known species within Metro Vancouver are in the Contain and Control categories. It is important to note that these types of lists vary by region.

Prevent

Prevent Species are species that are not yet within Metro Vancouver. These are species that are present in surrounding jurisdictions such as Washington State or the Fraser Valley, but are not yet within IPCMV's management area.

IPCMV Prevent Species include plants such as: Milk Thistle, Hoary Alyssum, Common Crupina, Kudzu, Russian Knapweed, Common bugloss, Leafy spurge, Yellow Star Thistle

Eradicate

Eradicate Species are species that IPCMV has identfied as eradicable. This means that if we act quickly and early enough, we have the potential to get rid of that particular species within our region.

IPCMV Eradicate Species include plants such as: Garlic Mustard, Orange Hawkweed, Common Reed, Burr Chervil, Dalmation Toadflax, Flowering Rush, Moutain Blue Knapweed, Yellow Loosestrife, English Cordgrass, Chicory, Poison Hemlock, Jimsonweed, Teasel, Carpet Burweed, Gorse

Contain

Contain Species are species with a wide enough distribution that eradication is not likely. Contain species often exist in isolated sites throughout the region so we work to contain these to mitigate spread to the entire region or surrounding sensitive habitat.

IPCMV Contain Species include plants such as: Wild Chervil, Butterfly Bush, Diffuse Knapweed, Spotted Knapweed, Spurge/Daphne Laurel, Giant Knotweed, Giant Hogweed, Himalayan Knotweed, Blueweed, Meadow Knapweed, Yellow Hawkweeds, Small Touch-me-not, Eurasian Water Milfoil, Wild Carrot, Fox Glove, St, John's Wort, Pacific Jewelweed, Prickly Lettuce, Parrotweed, Curled Pondweed, Sulphur Cinquefoil, Tufted Vetch

Control

Control Species are widespread throughout the region with very little chance or eradication. These species are only worked on in specific sites where they are contained outside of a boundary i.e. a park.

IPCMV Control Species include plants such as: Canada Thistle, Scotch Broom, Japanese Knotweed, Bohemian Knotweed, English Ivy, English Holly, Policeman's Helmet, Yellow Flag Iris, Purple Loosestrife, Himalayan Blackberry, Common Tansy, Periwinkle, Burdock, Lamium, Purple Deadnettle, Evergreen Blackberrry, Tansy Ragwort, Water Star-wort, Lamb's Quarters, Wild Clematis, Morning Glory, English Hawthorn, Orchardgrass, Hairy Cat's Ear, Oxeye Daisy, Scentless Chamomile, Lady's Thumb, Reed Canary Grass, Cherry Laurel, Western Goat's Beard, Great Mullein

Policeman’s Helmet

Seed pods from Policeman’s helmet can explode and send seeds up to 5 meters away from the plant.

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Read more: Policeman’s Helmet

Yellow Flag Iris

Native to Europe, North Africa, Western Asia and the Mediterranean, yellow flag iris has escaped cultivation and is displacing native plant diversity.

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Read more: Yellow Flag Iris

Japanese Knotweed

This resilient superweed can grow through concrete foundations and walls, and can grow from only a few milligrams of root fragment

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Read more: Japanese Knotweed

Himalayan Blackberry

Himalayan blackberry can leap frog across an expanse of land in only a few years.

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Read more: Himalayan Blackberry

Yellow Lamium

Illegal dumping had allowed this plant to take over precious parklands.

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Read more: Yellow Lamium

Scotch Broom

Scotch broom oozes toxic substances into the soil that prevents native plans from establishing.

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Read more: Scotch Broom

Purple Loosestrife

Nearly 3 million seeds are produced by this aquatic invader.

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Read more: Purple Loosestrife

Periwinkle

Periwinkle is a garden escapee that crowds and discourages growth of native plants.

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Read more: Periwinkle

English Holly

This Christmas favourite prevents native plants for getting sufficient water and nutrients

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Read more: English Holly

Daphne Laurel

All parts of Daphne laurel have toxic compounds, which can lead to dermatitis or poisoning.

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Read more: Daphne Laurel

English Ivy

This climbing evergreen can topple trees and accelerate building deterioration

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Read more: English Ivy

Giant Hogweed

This not-so-friendly giant causes problems for the environment and human health

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Read more: Giant Hogweed

Orange Hawkweed

Bright and beautiful, this plant steals valuable forage habitat from our deer and bears.

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Read more: Orange Hawkweed