First Lead for August 2004

For this Plant, Life´s a Beach

This plant is living it up, lying out on the sand, soaking up the sun, practically making the beach its own--literally. Beach vitex, which has been dubbed "beach kudzu," is a pesky invasive plant species that is taking over the beaches of South Carolina. Vitex, with a lovely fragrance and purple flowers, was originally imported for use in landscaping, and was even used to control beach erosion. But then its true nature became known. Sea turtles can´t get through the thick vegetative mat that vitex creates to lay their eggs. Vitex is just one of many exotic plant species brought into the United States each year that may have started out seeming to be good plant citizens in their new land but then have taken over, pushing out native vegetation and creating other problems as well, like for the poor mother turtles. USGS is working to get to the roots of this problem with early detection of unfriendly invaders, rapid response to the threats they pose, and how to prevent them from getting here and taking hold. Check out the vicious vegetation of vitex at: http://www.usgs.gov/features/beach_vitex.html. For more, contact Randy Westbrooks at 703-648-4041 or email rwestbrooks@usgs.gov.

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