South Dakota's Invasive Flora: Learn about 11 Problematic Species and Discover Beneficial Indigenous Plants to Consider for 22 Healthier Options
In the beautiful prairies of South Dakota, invasive plants pose a significant threat to the state's natural beauty and ecosystem. These invasive species outcompete native plants, degrade wildlife habitat, reduce crop and livestock production, and negatively impact outdoor recreation, leading to losses of over $100 million every year.
However, there is hope. By replacing these problematic invasive plants with native alternatives, South Dakotans can protect the state's natural beauty and promote a healthier environment.
Problematic Invasive Plants
Some of the most problematic invasive plants in South Dakota include Canada thistle, common tansy, hoary cress, leafy spurge, and oxeye daisy. Canada thistle grows up to five feet tall with very spiny leaves and purplish-pink tufted flowers in summer. Common tansy produces flat clusters of bright yellow, button-like flowers, while hoary cress has tiny, white, four-petalled flowers in flat clusters from spring into midsummer. Leafy spurge grows one to three feet tall with small, yellowish-green flowers surrounded by larger yellowish-green bracts, and oxeye daisy has sunny yellow disc and bright white ray of petals.
Native Alternatives
Fortunately, there are native alternatives to these problematic invasive plants. For example, plant a native thistle like fragrant thistle instead of Canada thistle. Native spurges like flowering spurge and snow on the mountain are alternatives to leafy spurge. Native stiff tickseed and pearly everlasting are alternatives to common tansy.
Yellow toadflax, with its pale yellow snapdragon-like blossoms with golden orange throats, can be replaced with native alternatives like golden monkey-flower and four-point evening primrose. St. John's wort, which has bright yellow, five-petaled flowers in terminal clusters in summer, can be replaced with similar yellow wildflowers like flat-top goldentop and common sneezeweed.
Recommended Native Plants
Native prairie plants such as big bluestem, little bluestem, switchgrass, and native wildflowers are recommended to replace invasive species and protect South Dakota's natural beauty. Additionally, native junipers like Juniperus virginiana (eastern redcedar) play a key ecological role but must be managed due to their invasive potential in some areas.
Tall native plants with purple flower spikes include prairie blazing star and obedient plant. White heath aster and many native fleabanes are alternatives to oxeye daisy.
The Importance of Action
If left unchecked, the problems caused by invasive plants will increase in South Dakota. More than 3 million acres in South Dakota are infested with invasive plants. By choosing native alternatives, South Dakotans can help combat the spread of invasive plants and preserve the state's natural beauty for future generations.
Eastern red cedar or a flowering shrub like false indigo can be planted as alternatives to salt cedar. White sage is a native cousin of absinth wormwood.
In the fight against invasive plants, every choice counts. Choose native. Choose South Dakota.
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