TheEnvironmental Protection Agency

By: Katie Miller & Justin McKinney

Why We Care…

• The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) cares about these invasive aquatic plant species because of their ability to completely destroy wetlands, marshes, and they can tremendously affect the lives of marine wildlife.

How Does This Affect Us?

• The aquatic plant trade industry affects wildlife and their habitats, including wetlands, by introducing non-native species that are invasive to environments worldwide.

What We Can Do to Help…

• Alert your community.• Use the four step approach to weed

management: prevention, early detection, timely management, and use of herbicides.

• Remember herbicides are not the only way to eradicate these plants. You can also choose the route of biologically, mechanically, or culturally treating these aquatic plants.

Alternanthera ficoidea/ Cherry Hedge

White List Plant/ Basic Information

• Alternanthera ficoidea (Cherry Hedge)• Native to Mexico through Argentina (South America)• Generally trouble-free, although spider mites and

Fusarium wilt may occur. (molding of the plant)• This plant has been found around the United States in

these specific areas… Jones, AlabamaAuburndale, FloridaGreater Northdale,

FloridaLake Worth, FloridaPembroke Pines, FloridaGreater Upper Marlboro, MarylandSan Antonio, TexasEdgewood, Washington

Reasons for Cherry Hedge to Remain on the White List

• This plant is used around the U.S. for its beautiful colorful leaves.

• The Cherry Hedge is a plant that can be grown in outdoor gardens, or it could also be grown indoors as a houseplant.

• Plants from this species have been used since Victorian times in clipped formal plantings.

How does the Cherry Hedge affect our Environment/ Economy?

• This plant does not wander, forming a textured carpet in shades of Burgundy.

• A single plant makes a mound about 8 inches tall and 14 inches wide.

• The Cherry Hedge has no bad affects towards the environment or our economy. In this case we, the EPA, have decided that keeping Alternanthera ficoidea (Cherry Hedge) on the “White List” will not do any harm.

Lythrum salicaria/ Purple Loosestrife

Red List Plant/ Basic Information

• Lythrum salicaria (Purple Loosestrife)• This is a beautiful yet aggressive invader to wetlands. • Purple Loosestrife is native to Western Europe being

found all the way to Russia.• The Purple Loosestrife rootstocks are extensive and can

produce up to 30-50 shoots, creating a dense web which chokes out other plant-life.

• This plant is a very hardy perennial which can rapidly degrade wetlands, diminishing their value for wildlife habitats.

Reasons for Purple Loosestrife to Remain on the Red List

• Since the introduction of Purple Loosestrife in the early 1800s it can be found in much of Canada and the U.S. meaning this is a very fast spreading aquatic plant.

• If not taken care of properly it will spread in copious amounts.

How does the Purple Loosestrife affect our Environment/ Economy?

• An estimated 190,000 hectares or wetlands, marshes, pastures, and riparian meadows are affected in North America each year.

• Purple Loosestrife has economically affected North America with an impact of millions of dollars down the drain.

How to Stop Purple Loosestrife from Spreading…

Works Cited

"Alternanthera Ficoidea 'Red Threads' (Joseph's Coat, Parrot Leaf) - Fine Gardening Plant

Guide." Fine Gardening: Expert Garden Plant Advice, Tips, and Ideas from Fine

Gardening Magazine, including Design, Care, and How-to Garden Techniques. Web.

15 Feb. 2012. <http://www.finegardening.com/plantguide/alternanthera-ficoidea-red-

threads-josephs-coat.aspx>.

Garden, Missouri Botanical. "Alternanthera Ficoidea." Missouri Botanical Garden. Web. 15

Feb. 2012. <http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/gardens-gardening/your-garden/

plant-finder/plant-details/kc/a485/alternanthera-ficoidea.aspx>.

"Learn the Issues: Water | Learn the Issues | US EPA." US Environmental Protection Agency.

Web. 15 Feb. 2012. <http://www.epa.gov/gateway/learn/water.html>.

Works Cited (continued)

"PlantFiles: Detailed Information on Joseph's Coat, Dwarf Rose Joseph's Coat Alternanthera

Ficoidea 'Rosea Nana'" Tips and Advice on Outdoor Gardening, Flower Gardens,

Plants, & Seeds - Dave's Garden. Web. 15 Feb. 2012. <http://davesgarden.com/guides/

pf/go/59743/>.

"Purple Loosestrife." Macalester College: Private Liberal Arts College. Web. 15 Feb. 2012.

<http://www.macalester.edu/environmentalstudies/threerivers/studentprojects/

LakesStreamsRiversFall09/InvasiveSpeciesWeb/PurpleLoosestrife.html>.

"Purple Loosestrife: What You Should Know, What You Can Do | Aquatic Invasive Species."

Minnesota Sea Grant. Web. 15 Feb. 2012. <http://www.seagrant.umn.edu/ais/

purpleloosestrife_info>.