Bad Seed
What is a Bad Seed
A "bad seed", known more formally as an invasive plant, is a non-native plant that was introduced to our environment through seeds, cuttings, garden plants, etc. that spreads aggressively and takes over the natural environment. Bad seeds out-compete native plants, including endangered species, and destroy habitat for fish, birds and other wildlife. Invasive plants can also cause erosion and silt problems in creeks and impact aquatic creatures. Invasive plants are expensive to control and eradicate. Some, like Giant Hogweed, are even dangerous to human health.
Prevent the Spread of Bad Seeds
- Avoid buying plants promoted as fast spreaders or vigorous self-seeders as they are often invasive.
- Contain or remove invasive plants on your property to prevent them from spreading to other properties.
- Dispose of invasive plant material in your Green Cart instead of your backyard compost (see below for hogweed disposal requirements).
- Never dump garden waste, hanging baskets or anything else into natural areas.
- Refer to the Invasive Species Council of BC's Grow me Instead Guide and visit the Native Plant Society of British Columbia's website to learn about BC's "most wanted" plants, along with recommended alternatives.
- Use caution when ordering plant seeds over the Internet or through catalogues. Introducing foreign seeds are a key way that invasive plants find their way into our community.
Common Bad Seeds
Commonly sold as an easy and fast grower that can tolerate shade, English ivy (Hedera helix) smothers vegetation and can eventually kill trees.
English ivy is identified by dull, green, lobed leaves with a thick, waxy coating that stay green all year long. It grows as a small to large woody vine that clings to surfaces such as trees, buildings and rocks.
View the Metro Vancouver Best Management Practices for English and Irish Ivies (PDF).
Giant Hogweed (Heracleum mantegazzianum) poses a serious threat to human health and the environment. The clear sap found in its stem and hairs can result in severe burns and blistering. If sap enters the eyes, it can cause temporary or permanent blindness.
View the Metro Vancouver Best Management Practices for Giant Hogweed (PDF)
Description
- Very tall, reaching up to 5 metres.
- Leaves are shiny and large with coarse, jagged edges.
- Stalks have purple spots or streaks and stiff bristly hairs.
- Typically grows on riverbanks, ravines, vacant lots or along roads.
- White flower heads reach up to 1.5 metres in diameter, bloom in mid August.
Removal & Disposal
If you find Giant Hogweed on your property, it needs to be removed as per the City’s Noxious Weed Bylaw Number 4181, 2010.
Caution
If you are exposed to Giant Hogweed, wash the affected area immediately, keep it out of the sun and seek medical advice.
It is best to let a professional remove this plant.
For more information, visit Work Safe British Columbia’s safety bulletin and video.
Report Giant Hogweed Sightings in Coquitlam
Please report Giant Hogweed in Coquitlam, by using the online Hogweed Reporting Form or by contacting Parks Customer Service.
Sometimes found in wild seed mixes, this very persistent climbing vine will trail along the ground, smother native plants and twist counter-clockwise up supports. The leaves are arrow-shaped with a sharp point and has showy, white trumpet-shaped flowers. The above ground part of this plant dies off in the winter.
Japanese Knotweed (Fallopia japonica) forms dense, tall thickets and can grow up to 3.5 metres tall from a small root or stem, crowding out other plants.
Leaves are spade shaped and small white flowers are produced in clusters.
View Metro Vancouver’s Best Management Practices for Knotweed (PDF).
Periwinkle (Vinca minor), sold as a fast grower, is a trailing groundcover with small waxy leaves smothers native plants.
It has showy purple flowers with five petals and its leaves are pointed and dark green.
Lamiastrum galeobdolon Commonly sold in hanging baskets, lamium is a ground cover that smothers native plants. It stays green year-round with hairy green and white leaves. Small yellow flowers will appear in the spring and summer.
View Metro Vancouver’s Best Management Practices for Yellow Archangel (PDF).
Visit the Metro Vancouver Invasive Species webpage for more information about other common invasive species, including best management practices and fact sheets.
Volunteer Opportunities
Are you interested in becoming a Bad Seed volunteer?
If you have a group interested in organizing an invasive plant pull with the City, please email the Natural Areas team. If you are an individual looking to join a scheduled invasive plant pull, register with Better Impact and watch for upcoming Bad Seed events.
For more information about our weed pull events, contact us by email.