Invasive Plants

latest news & developments

Researcher Samukelisiwe Msweli has identified plant species that are highly inflammable and those of which the flammability is low. Photo: Supplied

Which plants fuel wildfires – and how to protect your home

Fire is part of nature and has its uses but we need to learn how to live with it safely

Gillian McAinsh

Young people have rolled up their sleeves to remove the pompom from the Groenkloof Nature Reserve in Pretoria. They are volunteers from ASEZ WAO, World Mission Society Church of God.

Local group removes invasive plant from Pretoria’s Groenkloof Nature Reserve

A truck load of invasive species were removed by the group

Gavaza Tracy Masinga

Trout are seen by the department of environmental affairs as an invasive species. But a reader says that there is no evidence of them causing the death of indigenous fish species

Letters to the Editor: November 16 to 22

Our readers write in about investments into the economy, religious freedom, abuse against women, and about our environment reporting

Letters

Government and the private sector are stopping the spread of invasives by about 3% each year, says the writer.

DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS

R6.5-billion lost to alien invaders

In a world-first, South Africa has quantified the damage done by invasive species. Sipho Kings breaks down the new report

Sipho Kings

A wildfire on the Garden Route fuelled by invasive alien trees. File photo

ELZANNE SINGELS

Invasive alien plants in South Africa pose huge risks, but they can be stopped

The alien species that costs South Africa’s economy billions can be eliminated

Tineke Kraaij
Stephen Cousins
Elzanne Singels

Blooming pest for home owners – new regulations on invasive plants

New laws state that land owners must monitor and remove invasive plants to avoid prosecution.

Chantelle Benjamin 1