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Conservation

posted May 2013

Combat Invasive Species by Naturalizing Your Property: A Focus on Dog-Strangling Vine

Gardening season is upon us and few realize how important the vegetation we select can be for the environment in our community. Sometimes, by planting species that don’t naturally grow in the area, we are hurting the chances for species of native plants and animals to succeed.

What is “Dog-Strangling Vine”? Dog-Strangling Vine, known to scientists as Vincetoxicum rossicum, is a non-native invasive species of concern in Ontario that has been growing in our community, particularly along fences that line the lakeshore trails. There are two species of the vine found in Ontario known by the same name.

Dog-Strangling Vine is a successful strategist as it has two methods of reproduction. Not only can it reproduce by seed but it can essentially “clone” itself by sprouting new plants from the rhizomes on its extensive root system. It is tremendously aggressive with a dense root system that makes it very difficult to remove due to its ability to grow from root fragments. In fact, if a rhizome section is cut, two new plants can grow as a result.

What are the negative impacts of Dog-Strangling Vine? While it may not be as violent as its name conveys, this species does pose a serious threat to the natural environment as it can out compete plants that have valuable roles in local ecosystems. It aggressively grows to form thick stands, which crowd out native vegetation. One of the most serious impacts of Dog-Strangling Vine in Ontario is its threat to the Monarch Butterfly, a provincially designated species-at-risk. Monarchs will lay their eggs on this species of milkweed, but once hatched, the caterpillars cannot survive on Dog-Strangling Vine and their life cycles are cut short.

What can you do to help?

 (1) First and foremost, make sure you can identify Dog-Strangling Vine. Look for a vine that grows 1-2 metres high by spiraling around other vegetation or supporting structures (fences, gates, etc.). This plant has leaves that are oval shaped with a pointed tip. These leaves can grow from 7 to 12 cm in length and grow in pairs on opposite sides of the stem. In early summer its small purple, star-shaped flowers will begin to bloom and in late summer its bean-shaped pods develop. Each seed has a feathery white appendage that help its travel by wind and these can be seen as the pods split open.

2) If you find this species on your property remove it immediately. Ensure you dig up the entire root structure and do not leave any fragments behind. Dispose of the entire plant in yard waste bags to ensure that they do not spread further.

3) The most important thing you can do to combat non-native invasive species is to naturalize your property with native vegetation.

Exclusively native nurseries are the best place to obtain garden supplies that will enhance the natural environment. We are lucky to be situated near “Native Plants in Claremont”, a nursery in North Pickering who are part of the reputable Society for Ecological Restoration. They have a variety of native species of grasses, sedges, flowers, shrubs and vines available for purchase. They even supply Common Milkweed, Asclepias syriaca, which will attract and support Monarch Butterfly populations if planted.