The ability of an invasive plant to stay greener longer into the growing season can confer a significant competitive advantage over its native plant counterparts. This month’s EcoQuest Challenge will focus on two species of evergreen or semi-evergreen vines, Japanese honeysuckle, Lonicera japonica, and chocolate vine, Akebia quinata. Both chocolate vine and Japanese honeysuckle can photosynthesize at temperatures just above freezing and continue growing (albeit slowly) throughout the winter, long after other native vines and low-lying native species have lost their leaves.
Japanese honeysuckle (see photo above) is a highly aggressive woody vine that is capable of climbing and twining around trees, blanketing low-lying shrubs, and also sprawling across the forest floor. Chocolate vine, named after the chocolate scent of its flowers that bloom in early spring (see photo below), is less common in our region than Japanese honeysuckle but can be just as aggressive as a grower and ecosystem disrupter. In fact, it can grow as quickly as 40 feet in one growing season, quickly smothering and outcompeting native vegetation for sunlight and nutrients! Keep a close lookout for these invasive vines next time you are outside and post your photos to iNaturalist to help us track their distributions in our region! To join the Invasives Strike Force EcoQuest and help us monitor the distribution of these vigorous vines, all you need to do is 1) register to participate here (no need to re-register if you've already done so for a previous challenge) 2) visit our new 2020 EcoQuest webpage for ID tips 3) download the free iNaturalist App, 4) hit the trail, head to a park or look around your property for the target species, and then 5) point, click, and upload photos directly to iNaturalist! |