Invasive Species

Invasive plants are non-native species that have been introduced into our environment, where they grow quickly and spread rapidly, overwhelming and displacing native plants, and damaging property. As a result of these plants being non-native, they have no natural enemies to keep them in check.

In our community, knotweed and other invasive plants are taking over our natural environment and destroying animal habitats. Some of these plants can also be harmful to people.

The Village of Anmore works with the Invasive Species Council of Metro Vancouver to complete an Invasive Plant Management Report each year to review how invasive plants are controlled and monitored in Anmore. They also work to remove invasive plants on municipal property. 

It’s also important for homeowners to take steps to minimize the impact of invasive plants in our community but it’s essential that the removal be done correctly.

A few key things to help protect our community’s parks and natural spaces:

  • Do not plant invasive species in yards and gardens.

  • When removing invasive plants, use proper disposal methods. For more information, see Metro Vancouver’s Invasive Species guidelines.

  • Consider hiring a qualified contract to treat invasive plants on your property.

Commonly Found Invasive Plant Species

Here are some invasive plants commonly found in the region that should be removed before they spread:

  • WARNING: Giant hogweed (Giant cow parsnip, Cartwheel flower) is an extremely toxic invasive plant that is unusually large with deeply incised and sharp toothed leaves. Its sap will cause burns, blisters and scars when touched by bare skin. It can be found in moist disturbed soils, or riparian areas such as streams. It can grow very quickly and dominate ravines and stream banks posing serious negative risks to human health and ecology.
  • Giant hogweed is easily differentiated from other species due to its unusually large size, growing up to 5 m tall. Stems are hairy, green with purple blotches, 5-10 cm in diameter.
  • Multiple umbrella-shaped clusters of white to light pink flowers can be up to 80 cm across on a single stem.  Green oval fruits are about 4-10 mm in diameter and 6-8 mm wide. Seeds form in June and July turning dry and brown when ripe.
  • Leaves are dark green, coarsely toothed, deeply incised leaves. Leaves are alternate. The lower leaves are up to 3 m long and 1.7 m wide and coarsely toothed. Upper leaves on the flowering stem become smaller. The upper leaf surface is smooth, but the underside is covered in bristles

  • WARNING: Knotweeds were introduced to British Columbia for use in gardens and landscaping due to their rapid growth and attractive appearance There are now four species established in BC: Bohemian (Reynoutria x bohemica), Giant (Reynoutria sachalinensis), Himalayan (Persicaria wallichii), and Japanese knotweed (Reynoutria japonica). Knotweeds grow aggressively and are very hard to kill. They are widespread throughout the province, and are often found in riparian areas, derelict land, road and railway right of ways and gardens. They thrive in moist soil and full or partial sun. Knotweeds can spread by seed, root fragments, and stem fragments, making them very difficult to control. Himalayan knotweed is designated as a Provincial Noxious Weed by the BC Weed Control Act, as well as a Regional Containment/Control species by the BC Provincial Priority Invasive Species List.
  • Japanese knotweed is a bamboo-like tall, straight and dense plant growing 1-5m in height. Stems are hollow and green, sometimes with reddish-brown speckles and may persist through the winter as bare, grey- or straw-colored hollow stalks.
  • Flowers are attractive plumes of small, white to green clusters in the spring.
  • Leaves are heart- to triangular-shaped, 8-10 cm wide and 15 cm in length. A distinguishing feature of Japanese knotweed is that its leaves grow in a zigzag pattern in along the plant’s arching stems.

  • Orange hawkweed (Orange hawk bit, Fox-and-cubs) can create dense mats that crowd out native plants. It was an ornamental garden plant introduced from Europe. Hawkweeds spread quickly through above ground runners, horizontal roots, and seeds. Agriculture and recreational activities, wildlife, and wind can help the spread of hawkweeds. One plant can produce hundreds of seeds. Orange hawkweed is designated as a Regional Noxious Weed by the BC Weed Control Act, as well as a Management species by the BC Provincial Priority Invasive Species List.
  • Orange hawkweed grows from 30-60 cm in height with a hairy stem, that contains a milky fluid when broken open.
  • Flowers are a bright orange-red cluster at the top.
  • Leaves are bristly-hairy with few to no leaves being found on the stem.

  • English ivy (European ivy, Common ivy) was commonly planted to provide quick cover for walls and buildings, and as ground cover in commercial landscapes. It was intentionally introduced from it’s native range of Europe. It has since spread throughout rainforest understories where it can grow as a dense mat that suppresses native plants or climbing up trees, reducing their lifespan and leaving them more susceptible to wind damage. English ivy grows rapidly and needs very little light or water once it has established, and even grows during the winter. It reproduces through seed and vegetatively and its berries are preferred and spread by birds.
  • English ivy is an evergreen vine that will be found growing as dense groundcover or climbing up trees.
  • Clusters of small white to yellow-green flowers bloom in late summer and early fall and are followed by clusters of black shiny fruit.
  • Leaves are star-shaped with 3-5 points, waxy and leathery. Leaves on the fruiting stems will be egg-shaped without points or lobes. Both sets of leaves can range from 5-10 cm long and 6-12 cm wide and can be a range of different colors: dark green, silver-green, yellow, white.

Tips for Selecting Qualified Contractors

There are multiple treatment methods available to deal with invasive plants. A good contractor will be aware of options and make recommendations. No matter what method or contractor is used, dealing with invasive plants requires persistence. Many invasive plant infestations, especially knotweed, will require a few rounds of treatments, possibly over many years, before it is eradicated.

The Invasive Species Council of Metro Vancouver (ISCMV) suggests that you consider the  following questions to help evaluate companies to manage invasive plants on your property.

  • Do you have experience dealing with invasive plants?

  • Will you provide a free estimate and come to verify the identification of my plant?

  • Are you licensed to work in my municipality?

  • What methods will you use and when will I start to see plant damage/death?

  • Do you and your staff have the appropriate licences and permits to apply herbicide?

  • Does your price include follow-up visits and monitoring or just the initial treatment?

  • What is your success rate?

  • Can you provide a list of references who can verify your work?

  • How soon can you send someone?

For more tips and resources from ISCMV, visit iscmv.ca, email info@iscmv.ca or call 604-880-8358.

ISCMV information brochures are also available at the Village Hall.