Ever heard the expression ‘A tornado with pretty eyes and a heartbeat?’

In a nutshell, this is exactly what you are experiencing when looking at these ‘harmless ornamental foreign’ pieces of colourful greenery. But let you not be fooled – these 5 plant species are the worst of an estimated 139 species of invasive deadly weeds recorded in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area including Azolla filiculoides (red water fern), Argemone mexicana (Mexican poppy), Datura stramonium (jimsonweed), Gutenbergia cordifolia and Parthenium hysterophorus (famine weed). Of these plants, Gutenbergia cordifolia is the most widespread occupying more than half of the Ngorongoro Crater floor.

Attributed mainly to overgrazing from the rising livestock populations within the conservation area, native palatable indigenous grasses preferred by wild animals lose their competitive ability, allowing non-palatable species to proliferate. In consequence, the natural rangelands are reduced and the wildlife moves away or to the periphery of their normal range.

While the native weeds such as the Gutenbergia cordifolia, have become abundant due to poor land management, the alien invasive species have been aided by factors including construction of roads and viewpoints, movement of vehicles, presence of tourist hotels and campsites, and movement of livestock.

Efforts are being put in by the Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority to contain these invasive killers largely through mechanical means such as mowing but more has to be done to control the ‘wildfire’ that might soon change the balance of this world heritage as we know it.