The benefits of plants are undeniable.
Most people understand the great role plants play in the balance of oxygen and carbon in the air but few may stop to think of the other benefits plants have been bringing for many years.
In addition to being a beautiful addition to any home or garden and purifying the air that is used, plants have many purposes for animals and humans.
Plants have been used by human for many years for their medicinal purpose, some of which date back to 1500 B.
C.
They also protect from several elements such as wind, excessive heat and erosion.
However there are some species of plants that offer more harm than good.
These types need to be watched for before they have the opportunity to make a person or animal sick or take complete control over a yard or garden sometimes causing irreversible damage.
Popular culprits include knotweed, rhododendrons, the Himalayan balsam, and ragwort.
Knotweeds come in a variety of different species.
They are known for growing out of control and damaging anything in their path.
Certain types, such as the Japanese knotweed, are particularly troublesome as they can cause significant structural damage to anything around them and have even been known for completely blocking waterways.
These reasons make this type of invasive plant one that should be dealt with as soon as it is spotted.
Knotweeds unfortunately do not have a natural predator, they reproduce easily by cloning their roots or stems and thrive in most conditions.
Rhododendrons are a tricky plant that has been placed on the invasive species list, however they are particularly harmful to animals if eaten.
Many people have gardens filled with the lush and beautiful flowering plant but few realize the implications it could have on the wrong animal coming into contact with and eating its tempting shiny green leaves.
There are a few types of rhododendrons that have been troublesome due to their rapid reproduction and overtaking of some woodlands.
The Himalayan balsam is another problematic, yet beautiful plant.
These guys can produce upwards of 800 seeds per plant giving them a huge potential to reproduce.
Many people find these flowers beautiful and they pass out seeds to friends or family furthering the plants distributive capabilities.
They also produce a rich sweet nectar that bees will flock to creating the chance for other plants around them to die off due to inability to cross pollinate.
Ragwort boasts beautiful yellow flowers and can grow in even some of the driest climates.
This may seem like the perfect solution for dry areas where little else can grow, however this plant has the potential to be fatal to many types of animals and especially horses.
If a horse ingest a ragwort plant it can immediately cause damage to their liver, due to the high levels of alkaloids it contains, and in some extreme cases it can cause death to the animal.
While it is undeniable the great importance plants play into life as we know it today, it is important to note that not all species are beneficial.
Bringing plants into homes and gardens should be done with caution.
Getting to know the plants and the impact they may have is very important to control some plants that need to be dealt with a knowledgeable hand.
Researching plants and understanding which types are poisonous or dangerous not only to humans, but to animals and other plants as well can ensure these type do not make their way into the wrong environments.
Learn and teach others the importance of maintaining knowledge about plants in their environment.