|
Home | Detectives | Suspects | Background Check | Kids' Headquarters | Top Desk Administrator | Case Files |
|
|
Melaleuca quinquenvia
|
THE CRIMES: Dense growth that eliminates other vegetation. Taking over areas that were mostly grasses. Produces huge quantity of seeds which turn into small trees. DESCRIPTION: Large tree over 24 meters (80 feet) tall. Has white bark which is spongy and peels easily. Evergreen leaves are about 5 inches long. Flowers are small, clustered white flowers and fruit is small and woody square capsule that contains many seeds. The Interrogation
Where are you from?
I made my way here all the way from Australia, New Guinea and Indonesia.
How did you get here?
I was introduced to Florida as an ornamental tree in the early 1900s. By
the 1970s I was known as one of Florida's most popular landscape trees. However, I am now a
huge threat to the ecology of the Florida Everglades.
What’s your problem?
Once I am introduced into an area I spread rapidly. I invade natural wetlands,
grasslands and forests and completely overtake them. I am an enormous threat to the Florida Everglades
ecosystem. I may not be able to be stopped once I invade too much of the Everglades.
How can we control you?
Good luck trying to get rid of me once I'm established because it's going to
require a lot of hard work and determination. I can be pulled out of the ground by hand when I am
a seedling, pushed over when I'm still relatively small and cut down when I get large. However, I
don't mind disturbance and I will probably just resprout after any of these methods. You can also
use herbicide, poison that kills plants. This may kill me, but it will also make me drop seeds,
and eventually there will be even more of me. There are also some insects that are native to
Australia and are being imported to eat me.
Reward:
The satisfaction that you are protecting and preserving Gulf waters.
|