Gardening is quite a favored pastime for those who have the space to keep plants, after all, most of us enjoy having some nice greenery to look at. The problem is that sometimes we get blinded by the beauty of certain species of flowers and can forget that they are not native species and that they can cause a lot of damage to the local ecosystem, turning an innocent hobby into a catastrophe and potentially a lot of fines. This is the case with the Siberian squill (Scilla siberica), a species native to southwestern Russia, the Caucasus, and Turkey, which, while beautiful, it is very invasive in North America.
This beautiful flower is not only appreciated for its aesthetics, because of its provenance it has many qualities that make it a fan favorite in North America, especially in colder climates like that of Ontario, Canada, where this issue has started. It is an ornamental plant that has very good cold resistance, needed in Canada, and can bloom right after snow melts, making it perfect for this climate. It is also quite easy to cultivate, which makes it a favorite amongst gardeners but also terribly invasive.
For those who have never seen a specimen of this flower, it features drooping, deep blue flowers marked by a central dark stripe on each of its six narrow, bell-like petals. Once the flowering period ends, it develops plump seed pods that gradually dry and darken, supporting the plant’s propagation across the areas where it is planted.
It usually begins to flower around early April, with small variations depending on the climate that year has had, but the impressive part of this dainty looking flower is its resistance to the humans and other species around it. Just as some of the very good qualities it has, tolerates foot traffic, bounces back after being uprooted, and is not affected by local wildlife as it is not native to the area and thus not a part of the ecosystem that would help regulate its expansion.
This means that the flower can easily compete with other native species for space, as, as soon as these are consumed or displaced, the Siberian squill can take their place with little to no competition for resources.
Why this flower is so dangerous for the local North American ecosystem
Another reason for this plant to be dangerous, besides the fact that it is an invasive species and can take over territories without competition, is that it is quite toxic both for humans and animals, which further makes it a bad idea to plant in and around your home. All parts of the plant, flowers, leaves, bulbs, and seeds, contain compounds that can be harmful if ingested, and while most adults would know better than to ingest a random plant that they have found, the same can not be said for smaller children, who might be attracted to the bright color and dainty shape and may be tempted to crush the flower in their hand and lick it after.
For now the problem resides mainly with pets, like cats and dogs, who can have symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, excessive drooling, and abdominal pain if they accidentally consume the plant. Veterinarians are quite concerned and have issued warnings to owners making them aware of the flower and its dangerous qualities.
In children (or humans in general, but most adults will not be affected by this) the symptoms after consuming the plant can include gastrointestinal distress and if it comes in contact with the skin it can lead to irritation or rashes in sensitive individuals.
If you live in Canada and ant a similar look without all these issues, maybe try planting some of the local species that are safe for the wildlife and children, like Virginia bluebells, trillium, or Canada anemone.