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INVASIVE ALIENS
(Phytolacca dioica).
Although all three were
originally brought into South
Africa for use as garden
ornamentals, they have
escaped cultivation and
spread through a few
provinces.
The entire Chilean Inkberry
plant is poisonous and has
been known to kill livestock,
and even humans who ate
parts of it. However, the ripe
berries are readily consumed
by birds that aid in seed
dispersal. This fact is evident
even in suburban gardens,
especially in Gauteng, where
Belhambra tree
Chilean inkberry plants seem
to appear from nowhere and
are difficult to eradicate,
because they merely sucker
from the roots when cut
down. In natural environments, dense infestations of
Chilean inkberry may
outcompete indigenous
vegetation and eventually
transform natural habitats.
Some parts of the Belhambra
tree - the sap, the roots, and
the green fruit, are also
poisonous. In addition, they
have the ability to
outcompete and displace
indigenous vegetation in
virtually any frost-free habitat.
Although
sword fern
may not yet
be widespread
throughout
the country,
it has the
potential to
Sword fern
spread
rapidly and
to form dense infestations that
outcompete and replace
indigenous vegetation,
thereby transforming natural
habitats.
Registered herbicides are not
available for use against these
particular alien invasives, and
Chilean inkberry
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infestations are difficult to
eradicate. Unfortunately,
since no biological control
agents have been released,
mechanical control remains
the best option. However,
this is time-consuming, and
regular follow-ups are
required.