Last week when I wrote about Norway Maple being one of my “most hated” invasive plants, I posted this question on twitter:
What’s your most-hated plant? Norway Maple tops my list. Tell me yours at: http://bit.ly/2Q2ih0 (@CB4wildlife)
And I got this response from @Gr8RedApe: Brazilian Pepper Tree. Listen to the frustration this plant causes:
@CB4wildlife It will.not.die. Have burned it, buried it, smothered it w/ oil, pulled out by roots (both it & my hair). Keeps comin’ back.
I am visiting Florida this week where Brazilian Pepper Tree is causing many problems in native ecosystems, so I’ve chosen this plant to top the “Most Hated Plant” list this week.
I’ve spent a lot of time in many different state parks in the area, and everyone agrees: this plant is definitely on the MOST HATED PLANT list. All the Rangers agree with @Gr8RedApe, you can burn it, pull it up by the roots, spray it, and still it keeps coming back.
It was introduced into this country in 1891 as an ornamental by the horticultural industry. This is one ornamental we could definitely do without!
Problems to the environment caused by Brazilian Pepper:
- It invades hammocks, pinelands, and mangrove communities and outcompetes these native plants.
- It is an extremely aggressive invader which is very difficult to eradicate.
- The state of Florida is spending billions of dollars every year in an attempt to control/eradicate Brazilian Pepper.
- The seeds are widely spread in the excrement of birds and mammals, and also by water. The tree produces a prolific crop of fruit which many birds consume and then spread wherever they have flown.
- It produces a dense canopy which shades out all native plants.
- This most hated plant can invade aquatic as well as terrestrial environments, making it doubly dangerous.
- It sends up root suckers and new shoots when it is cut.
- Brazilian Pepper is in the same family of plants as Poison Ivy, Poison Oak, and Poison Sumac and thus can cause extreme skin irritation and cannoot be burned.
Please do not ever plant this tree. Many birds, butterflies, and other wildlife are dependent on native plant communities for their very survival. This plant is wiping out these communities and causing severe environmental harm.
Do you have a MOST HATED PLANT? Tell us about it in the comments below.
© 2009 – 2010, Carole Sevilla Brown. All rights reserved. This article is the property of EcosystemGardening.com If you are reading this at another site, please report that to us
About Carole Sevilla Brown
I’m beginning to conclude that Kansas has it easy when it comes to invasive plants. I’ve never heard of Brazilian Pepper Tree, but “ugh”, what a nuisance.
.-= Alison Kerr´s last post ..Favorite Backyard Animal Nominations =-.
quick question I have the plant in my front yard,I cut it back and recieved a rash like posion ive,I want to burn the limbs I recently cut .Will I have the same reaction as i did when i burned poison the first and last time!
Edward, if you got a rash, I would not burn this plant. Take a piece to your local country extension office for help in identification. They can help you with proper methods of eradication.
The branch from this tree bush will make you wish it never existed. This is the kind of thing that creates “burn-like scar markings” on your skin. The poison will stay underneath your skin until you scrub it away with q-tips, alcohol, and Caladryl. Note that Hydrocortisone did nothing to this burn type rash… in fact it did not work for me. Caladryl with Calamine is the only thing that works. I put it on 4 times during the night to stop the itch. The Calamine is great for capturing the ooze from the skin also.
This plant should be banned from the United States.
These are the most annoying invasive plant on the planet, My grand father has a wooded property in South east Florida, And there everywhere. I tried burning them out i tried pulling them out i tried chemicals. They create a dense mat of tangled mess. Witch is very bad. They have the possibility to completely engulf Florida.
Just got off the phone w/ my landscaper after finding out the tree he planted and after coming across the website. He planted this tree yesterday and to my dismay about the pricing, I was researching online and came across this blog… Thank you! He will remove it on Sunday. Now, I’m worried that although this 10ft tree is only 5days old (before being removed on Sunday) in my backyard it will ruin my landscaping. It’s next to my pool… I’m wondering if it’s gonna do any damage… ugh!