" From 1 September, around thirty foreign plants are banned from Swiss territory. These include “Ticino” palms, cherry laurels and David’s buddleias. The new rule prohibits selling, importing or giving away.
From 1 September, around thirty foreign plants will be banned from Swiss territory (illustration image).
Plants on the list of 31 affected species that are already present in gardens do not fall under the ban and therefore do not have to be uprooted.
The Federal Council has also extended the ban on use. In other words, it will be forbidden to put on the market, plant or reproduce various invasive alien plants. This concerns, for example, the ailanth, ragweed or giant hogweed.
Insect habitat
The prohibited plants are invasive neophytes, i.e. plants that have recently been introduced in Switzerland. While some species disappear on their own sooner or later, others manage to establish themselves and cause ecological damage, to the point of endangering native plants.
They are then considered invasive. This not only reduces biodiversity among plants, it also has consequences for other species. For example, insects, caterpillars, fungi, mites or butterflies, which are deprived of habitat or food by the eviction of certain plants.
One in six
In Switzerland, there are now around 1300 exotic species – animals, plants and fungi – established in the environment. About 200 are invasive, with nearly 90 of these being plants.
The damage caused by these biological invasions is significant. According to a study published last year in the journal Environmental Sciences Europe, invasive plant and animal species cause damage of just over €26 billion in Europe alone.
“Ticino” palm trees in the crosshairs
One of the plants targeted by the new regulations is the “Ticino” palm, also known as hemp palm. It proliferates at low altitudes south of the Alps.
According to studies by the Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research (WSL), this increases the risk of forest fires, weakens the protective function against natural hazards and harms biodiversity.
Despite these negative consequences, the Asian invaders enjoy a good image among the Swiss population. In a poll conducted last year, nearly 60 percent of respondents had a positive opinion of the palm tree."