Appearance? The Dog Strangling Vine (Also know as DSV, swallowwort, or pale/black swallowwort) is a soft-stemmed vine-like plant that dies to the ground each season. It is a member of the milkweed family. The dog strangling vine can grow 1-2 meters in height with leaves that are up to 5-10 cm long. The leaves are an oval like shape with pointed tips that are arranged oppositely along the stem of the dog strangling vine. The dog strangling vine's leaves have a sheen in the light and tend to be green in the spring and summer and yellow in fall. It has flowers in the spring to summer months. (May to July) These flowers are pink towards maroon when it comes to their color and are 5-9 mm in length. Overall the dog strangling vine looks like this. Where is it from & what is it's ecosystem? The dog strangling vine originates from Eastern Europe and was introduced to Canada approximately 120 years ago. It was brought to Canada arriving with European settlers. Today it is mainly found in Michigan, Pennsylvania, Southern Ontario, New York and many other cities in that region of North America. Currently it is finding its way into our backyards and natural areas at an alarming rate. The dog strangling vine likes to niche in disturbed areas like highways, railways, utility and transport corridors, Christmas tree plantations, nursery and perennial crop farms, limestone quarries and abandoned pastures.
What effects does this invader have on it's ecosystem?
vine forms strands that overwhelm and crowd out native plants and young trees, preventing forest regeneration.
vines can be difficult to walk through and can interfere with forest management & recreational activities.
leaves and roots can be poisonous to livestock.
vine threatens some species, like the monarch butterfly, a species at risk in Ontario. For example, monarch butterflies lay their eggs on the plant, but the larvae are unable to complete their life cycle and do not survive.
What strategies can be used to control the invader? Controlling the vine can be very difficult, but there are few ways to get rid of the plant permanently if done properly.
put the plant, roots and seeds in a paper bag, allowing them to dry out and then burn them in a fire place or fire pit.
soak the seeds in water for a few months until they rot
boil the plants, roots and seeds for about 10 minutes to ensure they are dead and cannot reproduce
place the whole plant, seeds and roots in a heavy duty garbage bag and soak well in water. Close the bag and let it sit in the sun. The result can be composted after a few weeks.
B3.5 Identify various factors related to human activity that have impacted on ecosystems (the introduction of invasive species) and explain how these factors affect the equilibrium in an ecosystem.
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The Dog Strangling Vine (Also know as DSV, swallowwort, or pale/black swallowwort) is a soft-stemmed vine-like plant that dies to the ground each season. It is a member of the milkweed family. The dog strangling vine can grow 1-2 meters in height with leaves that are up to 5-10 cm long. The leaves are an oval like shape with pointed tips that are arranged oppositely along the stem of the dog strangling vine. The dog strangling vine's leaves have a sheen in the light and tend to be green in the spring and summer and yellow in fall. It has flowers in the spring to summer months. (May to July) These flowers are pink towards maroon when it comes to their color and are 5-9 mm in length. Overall the dog strangling vine looks like this.
Where is it from & what is it's ecosystem?
The dog strangling vine originates from Eastern Europe and was introduced to Canada approximately 120 years ago. It was brought to Canada arriving with European settlers. Today it is mainly found in Michigan, Pennsylvania, Southern Ontario, New York and many other cities in that region of North America. Currently it is finding its way into our backyards and natural areas at an alarming rate. The dog strangling vine likes to niche in disturbed areas like highways, railways, utility and transport corridors, Christmas tree plantations, nursery and perennial crop farms, limestone quarries and abandoned pastures.
What effects does this invader have on it's ecosystem?What strategies can be used to control the invader?
Controlling the vine can be very difficult, but there are few ways to get rid of the plant permanently if done properly.
B3.5 Identify various factors related to human activity that have impacted on ecosystems (the introduction of invasive species) and explain how these factors affect the equilibrium in an ecosystem.
Answers to questions on topic.
Choses relevant and interesting pictures, videos, and links.
Spelling, grammar, neatness and organization.
Apply functions and capabilities of Wiki to page.