Okanagan's Most Unwanted
Partners in Crime by Brandon & Maddie
Purple Loosestrife
Purple Loosestrife is a wetland invasive species that was introduced to North America in the late 1800's. It is native to Great Britain and Europe and may have been transported unintentionally by soil transfer from ships. In Canada it was planted as an ornamental plant in Port Alberni in 1916.
Lythrum Salicaria
- shrub like
- stiff four sided stems ending in dense spikes of striking purple flowers
- each flower has five petals
Purple Loosetrife
- produces great honey
- can grow up to 3m
- leaves are hairy
- single plant can produce million seeds but can also spread by roots
Invasive Species
- disrupts water flow in rivers, canals, lakes and marshes
- Out competes native plants for lights and space
- clogs up and wrecks habitat
Eastern Gray Squirrel
Sciurus Cardinensis
- 1914 - 8 Eastern Gray Squirrel imported from New York were placed in Stanley Park
- grey fur but can also be black or reddish brown
- long bushy tail 19-25 cm long
- long slightly hairy ears
Invasive Species
- strips bark from oak trees and prevents germination by cutting out root of acorns
- prey on nesting birds, eggs and nestlings
- competes with native bird species for tree cavities
- spotted in Kelowna in 2012
Email: mb@invasivspecies.com
Website: invasivespecies.com
Location: Kelowna, BC, Canada
Twitter: @twitter_invasivespecies
Prevention
- don't feed or relocate Gray squirrels
- keep bird feeders, garbage and pet food covered
Eastern gray squirrel video clips - Summer 2011 - 1080p