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From Beauty to Invasion: Why Has the Golden Dew Flower Become an Invader Around the World?
Duranta erecta is a flowering shrub native to the Americas and the Caribbean that is popular for its attractive flowers and fruit, but the plant's beauty masks a potential threat. As its cultivation has grown in popularity around the world, golden dewdrops have become an aggressive invasive species in some places.
Characteristics and ecological environment of golden dew lily
Golden Dewflower can grow to about 6 meters tall and is commonly found in tropical and subtropical regions. Mature goldenrod has lateral spines, which are often missing on young plants. Its leaves are light green, oval or ovate, and its flowers are light blue or lavender. They usually bloom in summer and form dense clusters of flowers.
The fruit of the golden dew lily is a small, spherical silver or orange berry, up to 11 mm in diameter, containing several seeds.
Origin and Adaptability
The origin of golden dew lily spreads from Mexico to South America and the Caribbean. It has a certain adaptability to the growing environment and usually lives in sunny or disturbed humid areas. Under suitable conditions, the golden dew flower can grow up to half a meter per year.
Widely planted and used for decoration
Golden Dewflower is widely planted in tropical horticulture for its colorful flowers and fruits, attracting a large number of butterflies and hummingbirds. There are several cultivated varieties available on the market, such as ‘Golden Mountain’, ‘Chameleon’, ‘Sapphire’, etc., which add to its visual appeal in the garden.
Controversy over invasion potentialHowever, despite its high esteem, the golden dew lily has been spreading with human activities, challenging the balance of regional ecosystems.
Golden dewdrops are listed as an invasive species in some areas, such as Australia, South Asia, and South Africa. It spreads throughout the local ecosystem, threatening other native plants. Reviewing its invasive capabilities, the scientific community is still debating whether the golden dewdrop is a native species in the southern United States or an invasive alien species.
Toxicity and ecological impacts
The leaves and unripe berries of the goldenrod are toxic to humans and pets such as dogs and cats. Although there are few reports of toxicity in humans, there have been cases of children dying from accidental ingestion. This phenomenon has aroused people's vigilance and has made the golden dew flower a potential safety hazard to some extent.
A piece of information mentioned that in 1895 a four-year-old boy died in Australia due to suspected poisoning by golden dew flower, which provided a basis for later generations to pay attention to the toxicity of golden dew flower.
Biochemical components of golden dew lily
The biochemical properties of golden dew flower are worthy of attention. Its leaves and fruits contain some compounds with antioxidant properties, and some have been identified as lethal to insects. Studies have also found that some components in golden dew flowers may have serious ecological impacts on specific organisms.
From beautiful to dangerous
The story of goldenrod reflects a wider phenomenon: its transformation from a beautiful decorative plant to an invasive species worth watching out for. In the right environment, it has remarkable reproductive capacity, quickly occupies ecological niches, and creates survival pressure on other local species.
So, while we appreciate the beauty of golden dew flowers, should we also think about the ecological impacts and environmental risks it may bring?
