New invasive plant species at Mammoth Cave National Park

Carlyle Coppins,

MAMMOTH CAVE, KY.- Exotic and new species make their way to different states every day, and this week was no different.

Mammoth Cave National Park discovered an invasive species that could get bigger than the natural plant species. The Mariana Maiden Fern could reduce the growth of the flowers that many tourist come to see. It would ultimately change their experience.

Brice Leech, Mammoth Cave National Park Naturalist, shares the negative impact of  the invasive plats. Brice says, “The invasive species can take over and they will out-compete the native species that people come here, to look at. That makes the woods nice and pretty that we like to like to view and walk around. We don’t want invasive species to take over.”

Mammoth Cave is currently treating the fern and other invasive species, and they are encouraging any visitor to utilize the app iNaturalist to help identify every plant species you encounter. For more information visit https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=803004915194929&set=pcb.803005405194880.

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