Invasive exotic plants have started to become noticeable around the island, including in places where they weren’t found before.

The storm surges from Hurricanes Ian, Helene, and Milton significantly hindered the growth of exotic plants, including air potato (Dioscorea bulbifera) (pictured above), Brazilian pepper (Schinus terebinthifolius), climbing cassia (Senna pendula), lead tree (Leucaena leucocephala), and wedelia (Sphagneticola trilobata), across the island.

“These plants are coming back from seed course, as are many of our native species, due to an active rainy season that brought salinities down, and the absence of further storm surge events,” said SCCF Wildlife & Habitat Management Director Chris Lechowicz. “The seeds of these plants have been moved around the island, and plants are starting to grow in places where they were not found previously.”

 The saltwater intrusion from the storm surges killed the root systems of many native and non-native plants across the island. Even native vegetation, such as buttonwood (Conocarpus erectus), which prefers lower, wetter areas, could not withstand the high salinities for extended periods in multiple locations.

Other trees such as strangler fig (Ficus aurea) and gumbo limbo (Bursera simaruba) showed signs of being stressed and then started dying about a year later.

“The Wildlife & Habitat Management team is treating areas on SCCF lands where exotic plants are trying to take hold,” said Lechowicz.

Some exotic species such as mother-in-law’s tongue (Sansevieria hyacinthoides) did not seem phased by being submerged in saltwater, as they are extremely hardy and can exist with very little sunlight in homes.

Air potato, wedelia, climbing cassia, seaside mahoe (Thespesia populnea), and Australian pines (Casuarina equisetifolia) seem to be more evident over the last few months as conditions have become highly favorable.

If you notice these species starting to grow on your property, now is the time to address them before they become a significant problem.

Please email info@sccf.org with questions about removal.