It doesn't consume human blood like the plant in The Little Shop of Horrors, but invasive phragmites has become a horror story nevertheless.
European common reed was imported about 15 years ago for exotic landscaping, but the "adaptable" plant has become the number one invasive plant species across the country, says David Hawke, a biologist renowned for his work in central Ontario and who also writes an Outdoors column on BarrieToday.
Phragmites australis can grow to be 12-feet high and in patches so dense, a duckling couldn't swim through it, says Hawke.
Each massive purple bloom contains thousands of seeds spread by wind. Its roots grow at least one metre a year and are able to extend under asphalt. Patches can quickly over take road side ditches, ponds, wetlands and water fronts. It chokes out native plants by taking up all the space, all the water and all the nutrients.
No native animals eat phragmites since they're too tough to be chewed on by muskrats or beavers, says Hawke.
It was taking over Tiny Marsh Provincial Wildlife Area, a provincially owned, significant wetland, located north of Elmvale that is 800 hectares (2,000 acres). MTM Conservation Association manages environmental projects at Marl Lake, Tiny Marsh and Matchedash Bay.
Environmental activist Kate Harries spearheaded the project to remove the plant in a project dubbed "Phrag Free."
She worked in conjunction with the Invasive Phragmites Control Centre, a non-profit organization. Harries was successful in getting funding from the federal government, Tiny Township, Ducks Unlimited and the Green Shovel Initiative for three years.
At the end of the third year, the team realized they needed another year of work to tackle phragmites. They were able to get funding from Blue Ridge Sportsmen’s Club, the Township of Tiny, the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters, the Invasive Species Centre and the Tiny Township Lions’ Club.
It's taken four years of effort by 100 volunteers hacking it down with cane cutters, using amphibious machines to cut it down by the tonne and applying a species-specific chemical.
"The goal was to knock it back 80 per cent," says Hawke, the site coordinator. "You will not eradicate it. If you can control the spread and the density, that's a win."
The first year, Hawke paddled around in a canoe, mapping phragmites stands. The second year, they had volunteers in 'the jungle" hacking down patches.
"Suddenly we could see the marsh again," says Hawke.
Cutting helped, but in order to control phragmites, the team needed to devise ways to kill it. There are two options, says Hawke.
One, is to cut the hollow stem below the water surface. Water will then drown the root. That works for the phragmites in water but not on land.
The second way involves spraying a chemical specifically designed to kill phragmites, which is approved in Canada. The chemical travels down the stem to the root and kills it. That works on land and water.
Last year, it was tested at Tiny Marsh over three hectares.
"We had 100 per cent success," said Hawke.
They applied Habitat Aqua again this year for large patches they hadn't tackled in the first three years, plus used the Truxor amphibious machine for the second year to accomplish their goal.
Invasive species present a significant challenge, says Hawke.
"Early detection and rapid response is key. When it's only two or three plants, it's manageable. If left, it's very difficult to eradicate and control."
Phragmites can easily be a fire hazard. Dead woody, hollow stems burn readily. Fires at roadsides can close roads while fires near properties can spread quickly, resulting in the need for people to evacuate, says Hawke.
For those reasons, plus damage to infrastructure, municipalities are taking it seriously.
"It's really come up on everybody's radar," says Hawke.
Other organizations battling phragmites have been watching the Tiny Marsh "experiment' closely says Hawke.
They include the Severn Sound Environmental Association, Ducks Unlimited and Parks Canada. It's not uncommon for larger organizations to staff an invasive species specialist.
For more information, visit the MTM Conservation Association website at mtmconservation.org or email [email protected]. The volunteer-driven, non-profit organization accepts donations.
