Krkonoše meadows threatened by invasive plant, park turns to public for help
The Krkonoše National Park in the northeast of Czechia is facing a serious challenge: an invasive plant known as lupine is taking over its meadows. To combat the spread, park authorities recently called on visitors for help, encouraging them to pick the plants while they are still in bloom.
Lupinus polyphyllus, or large-leaved lupine, is native to North America. With its tall spikes of striking bluish or purple flowers, it was originally cultivated as an ornamental garden plant. From there, it began to spread into the wild.
The plant has a highly efficient survival strategy: it produces large quantities of seeds and forms dense patches of vegetation that are hard to remove once mature. That’s what makes it so difficult to control, explains Radek Drahný, spokesperson for the Krkonoše National Park.
“It forms dense carpets that, once it takes over an area, almost completely crowd out the original native herbaceous species. That is its strength from an evolutionary perspective, but a big disadvantage in terms of nature conservation. Naturally, we don’t want the Krkonoše meadows to become dominated by lupine alone.”
To limit its spread, the park authorities have decided to involve the public by inviting visitors to pick the plants while they’re in bloom. While picking plants in the park is normally prohibited, this case is an exception, says Drahný:
“It is an invasive species, so people are indeed allowed to pick it. We recommend doing so now while it’s in bloom—take a bouquet home, enjoy it, and at the same time help the Krkonoše ecosystem. Visitors don’t need to worry, because fortunately, the lupine doesn’t grow in the restricted access areas.”
In addition to getting help from visitors, the park’s staff are also mapping the places where lupine is spreading. Once those spots are marked, the information is handed over to the next team in line, explains staff member Marcela Nosková:
“They notify me, and based on the recorded data, I contact the relevant landowners. We send them requests for access permission. After that, the work crew heads out, trying to remove as much of the root system as possible.”
Radek Drahný says dealing with lupine is a long-term challenge, not something that can be solved in just a year or two. The park faced a similar situation in the past with another invasive plant, monk’s rhubarb, which took decades to get under control.
“Invasive species are called that precisely because they are so successful in outcompeting other plants. If they’re not controlled or removed, they eventually displace the native species. Its removal requires sustained effort—pulling the plants when they bloom, and even uprooting them entirely when possible.”
The best time to remove lupine is while it’s in bloom. But because it continues to spread, field teams will be working to control it throughout the autumn.
