3. Purple Loosestrife

Purple loosestrife is an invasive plant that thrives in wetlands. Many people who have no idea of its negative impact on ecosystems have nonetheless seen it many times and even remarked upon its beauty.

Truth be told, it’s an attractive plant when massed together, which is very common given how vigorously this plant can spread. According to experts, purple loosestrife came to North America as seeds in the early 19th century, when the soil was used as ballast in sailing ships.

200 years later, it’s found in every US state except Alaska and Hawaii. This invasive plant takes control of wetlands by growing dense root mats that choke out native plants, damaging wildlife habitat.

The governments of the US and Canada have been adopting a new strategy since 1992 to stop purple loosestrife from spreading. They have been using two European beetles, G. pusilla and Galerucella calmariensis, to feed on the plant, and the approach appears to be successful.