Wild flower composition for resisting invasion of alien plants and application of wild flower composition

Abstract

The invention provides a wild flower combination for resisting alien plant invasion and application thereof, and belongs to the professional field of landscape gardens and ecology. The wild flower combination comprises the following flower species: laces, common spilanthes, lythrum salicaria, pennisetum alopecuroides, perennial salvia, rhododendron simsii, sanguisorba officinalis, polypogon fugax, salvia plebeian, roegneria erecta, linaria lingua, salvia palustris, echinacea purpurea, sessileflower desmodium, corn poppy, cirsium setosum, hispid arthraxon, duchesnea indica, potentilla serrata, selfheal, dandelion and herba violae. By considering the reasonable configuration of plants with different heights, the phenological difference of perennial root plants and annual and biennial plants and the competitive relationship between the planted plants and weeds, a high-density vegetation area is created, ecological design is performed from three dimensions of space, time and functions, the alien plant invasion resistance of the wild flower combination community is remarkably enhanced, and the survival rate of the wild flower combination community is increased. Meanwhile, the biodiversity protection and the landscape effect improvement are both considered.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the fields of landscape architecture and ecology, and mainly relates to a wildflower combination for resisting the invasion of alien plants and its application. Background Technology

[0002] Wildflower combinations have high landscape value, and are increasingly favored for their natural, wild beauty, high biodiversity experience, low cost, and low maintenance. At the same time, wildflower combinations also play an important role in agricultural production and ecological restoration.

[0003] However, the community stability of wildflower communities has always been a technical challenge, directly affecting their functional benefits and lifespan. The community stability of wildflower communities is related not only to the internal composition and structure of the community but also to environmental and external disturbances. Among these, the invasion and disturbance of wildflower communities by invasive alien species is a significant factor affecting their stability. On the one hand, the emergence of "empty niches" or imbalances in interspecific competition in the soil can lead to a competitive vacuum in the community, providing opportunities for invasive alien plant seeds to invade. On the other hand, the presence of weed seeds in the soil can, under suitable conditions, lead to competition for resources between these native weeds or invasive plant seeds and artificially sown wildflowers.

[0004] Current methods for controlling plant invasions include physical control, chemical control, biological control, and alternative control. Physical control is costly and has limited effectiveness against large-scale invasions. Chemical control poses potential risks to non-target species (wildflowers, pollinating insects) and the environment. Biological control is unsuitable for complex situations involving mixed invasions of various weeds. Alternative control is the most ecological method, and existing research on alternative control often focuses on a single invasive plant species. However, in actual ecological restoration, especially in the maintenance of wildflower combinations, the situation often involves a mixture of multiple invasive plants with insufficient resistance to invasion. This prevents wildflower combinations from establishing a competitive and stable target plant community, thus failing to provide more lasting landscape and ecological benefits. Summary of the Invention

[0005] To address the above problems, this invention provides a wildflower combination for resisting the invasion of alien plants and its application.

[0006] In a first aspect, the present invention provides a wildflower seed assemblages for resisting invasive alien plants, comprising, by seed weight percentage: Annual and biennial plants: *Scutellaria barbata* (5-7%), *Gnaphalium affine* (5-7%), *Gnaphalium affine* (3-4%), *Gnaphalium affine* (3-4%), *Gnaphalium affine* (1-2%), *Gnaphalium affine* (2-3%), *Gnaphalium affine* (2-3%), *Papaver rhoeas* (2-3%). Perennial creeping plants: Duchesnea indica (5-6%), Potentilla chinensis (5-6%), Prunella vulgaris (6-9%); Perennial herbaceous plants: Thistle (3-5%), Dandelion (3-5%), Viola yedoensis (6-8%), False dragonhead flower (6-8%), Pennisetum alopecuroides (5-6%), Echinacea purpurea (3-4%), Blue sage (3-5%), Perennial sage (3-4%), Lythrum salicaria (1-2%), Mountain peach grass (6-7%), Sanguisorba officinalis (4-5%).

[0007] Preferred, by weight percentage, it consists of the following plant seeds: *Scutellaria barbata* (7%), *Gnaphalium affine* (7%), *Gnaphalium affine* (4%), *Gnaphalium affine* (3%), *Gnaphalium affine* (1%), *Gnaphalium affine* (3%), *Gnaphalium affine* (3%), *Papaver rhoeas* (2%), *Duchesnea indica* (5%), *Potentilla fruticosa* (5%), *Prunella vulgaris* (9%), *Cirsium japonicum* (4%), *Taraxacum officinale* (3%), *Viola yedoensis* (6%), *Pseudorasbora chinensis* (8%), *Pennisetum comosum* (5%), *Echinacea purpurea* (4%), *Salvia splendens* (5%), *Salvia splendens* (4%), *Lythrum salicaria* (1%), *Prunella vulgaris* (6%), and *Sanguisorba officinalis* (5%).

[0008] Secondly, the present invention also provides a wildflower community formed by planting the above-mentioned combination of wildflowers.

[0009] Thirdly, the present invention also provides a method for constructing a wildflower community.

[0010] Further steps include seed harvesting and storage.

[0011] Preferably, the seed harvesting is carried out based on the species' biological characteristics and phenological stages.

[0012] Preferably, the seed storage conditions are a temperature of 4–10°C.

[0013] Preferably, the seed storage conditions are a humidity of 30–50%.

[0014] Further steps include conducting a survey of the current status of invasive plants.

[0015] Preferably, the invasive plant status survey includes identifying common alien species, quantities, and / or transmission routes.

[0016] Further steps include removing invasive plants from the soil.

[0017] Furthermore, this includes the sowing step.

[0018] Furthermore, the sowing process includes mixing the seeds according to the above proportions and adding 3-5 times the volume of sawdust, fine peat, or sieved river sand as a carrier. Furthermore, this includes maintenance and management steps, including management during the seedling stage, the growth stage, and / or the stationary stage.

[0019] Preferably, the management of the emergence period includes recording the emergence time, density and coverage of each species, and evaluating the niche filling effect and community construction progress; Preferably, the management of the seedling stage includes the immediate identification and manual removal of invasive plant seedlings.

[0020] Fourthly, the present invention also provides the application of the above-mentioned wildflower combinations or wildflower communities in resisting the invasion of alien plants.

[0021] Furthermore, introduced plants include Erigeron candelilla, Solidago canadensis, and / or Erigeron simonii.

[0022] Fifthly, the present invention also provides a method for controlling the invasion of alien plants, comprising the following steps: removing invasive plants from the soil; sowing seeds of a wildflower combination on the soil; and forming a wildflower community.

[0023] This community was ecologically designed from three dimensions: spatial, temporal, and functional, ultimately forming a clearly structured and well-organized vertical community. The community is divided into upper, middle, and ground cover layers according to height, and it works in concert to resist invasive alien plants through a dual mechanism of year-round resource competition and physical interception.

[0024] This invention is divided into three vertical layers. The upper layer plants are Lace Flower, False Dragon Head Flower, Loosestrife, Pennisetum alopecuroides, Perennial Sage, Mountain Peach Grass, and Sanguisorba officinalis. The middle layer plants are Clematis armandii, Lychee Grass, Erect Eriobotrya prostrata, Willow Cattail, Blue Sage, Echinacea, Dwarf Snowball, Poppy, and Thistle. The ground layer plants are Rhizoma Cymbidium, Duchesnea indica, Potentilla chinensis, Prunella vulgaris, Taraxacum officinale, and Viola yedoensis.

[0025] The upper-layer plants grow the tallest and occupy the vertical space first, forming a shading layer that effectively inhibits the germination and growth of many light-loving invasive plants (such as many annual weeds). On the other hand, the stems of plants such as foxtail grass, lace flower, mountain peach grass, and false dragon head flower are relatively soft, and can intercept seeds of invasive plants that are dispersed by wind when there is wind.

[0026] The intermediate layer of plants grows at a height between the upper and ground cover layers. They effectively fill the central space of the community, making the community structure denser and more continuous. This increases shading capacity and strengthens the physical interception of invasive plant seeds spread by wind and animals. This layer includes a variety of ornamental flowering plants, such as poppies, echinacea, blue sage, and dwarf snowdrops. These flowers attract pollinating insects (such as bees and butterflies) and beneficial insects, promoting the formation of more complex food webs. Insects not only feed on the seeds or seedlings of invasive plants but also indirectly inhibit the establishment of alien species by enhancing the pollination and reproduction of native plants.

[0027] Although the aboveground and middle layers of plants may wither in winter, some species (such as burnet, perennial sage, and echinacea) can still grow as ground cover in the low winter temperatures. They work together with winter-active ground cover plants such as wild strawberry to maintain ground cover, prevent soil from being exposed, and thus inhibit weed germination.

[0028] Subsurface plants spread rapidly through their stolons, quickly forming a dense layer of vegetation that clings tightly to the soil surface. This subsurface occupies all possible space on the ground, preventing seeds of invasive plants from reaching the soil and thus eliminating their germination conditions. At the same time, the dense foliage completely blocks out the ground surface, competing with weed seeds for the light needed to germinate.

[0029] In winter, the ground cover layer contains plants such as *Prunella vulgaris*, *Viola yedoensis*, dandelion, *Potentilla chinensis*, and *Duchesnea indica*, maintaining a high level of coverage. In the middle and upper layers, plants like *Lysimachia nummularia*, *Centipeda minima*, *Gnaphalium affine*, *Gnaphalium affine*, *Lysimachia christinae*, *Papaver rhoeas*, *Thistle*, *Echinacea purpurea*, *Sanguisorba officinalis*, and perennial sage also contribute to ground cover through their basal leaves. In summer, the ground cover layer, including *Potentilla chinensis*, *Viola yedoensis*, dandelion, *Potentilla chinensis*, and *Duchesnea indica*, provides strong coverage, while the middle and upper layers, with their dense basal leaves, also play a significant role in ground cover.

[0030] Technical effects of the present invention: This invention does not simply combine plants together, but rather conducts a comprehensive ecological design from three dimensions: space, time, and function. It significantly enhances the ability of wildflower communities to resist the invasion of alien plants, while also taking into account biodiversity conservation and landscape enhancement.

[0031] Spatially, the rational arrangement of plants at different heights creates a distinct, continuous, and dense vertical structure, occupying ecological niches both above and below ground, blocking the dispersal of invasive seeds, and inhibiting their germination and establishment. The upper layer of plants forms a shading layer, blocking sunlight, with its sturdy and flexible stems effectively blocking and capturing wind-borne seeds of invasive plants. The middle layer of plants further densifies the community structure, enhancing both shading and interception effects. The lower layer of plants forms a dense vegetative cover on the soil surface, preventing invasive plant seeds from contacting the soil.

[0032] In terms of time, the phenological differences between annual and biennial plants and perennial plants are utilized to achieve year-round ground cover without bare surfaces. In winter, the evergreen basal leaves of perennial ground cover plants and the ground-hugging foliage of some middle and upper layer plants are used to maintain the cover; perennial plants, with their developed root systems and early sprouting characteristics, occupy resources in early spring and suppress weed growth.

[0033] Functionally, the roots of the three-tiered plants extend to different depths in the soil, forming a dense root network that competes for water and nutrients, thus suppressing weeds in the long term. Perennial plants germinate early in spring, seizing space and plundering water and nutrients. Some plants (such as dandelions) can also release allelochemicals, inhibiting the germination and growth of seeds from surrounding plants. Pollinators attract pollinating insects and natural enemies, increasing the complexity and stability of the ecosystem and indirectly enhancing the community's resistance to invasion. Attached Figure Description

[0034] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the experimental plot setup. Detailed Implementation

[0035] The present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to embodiments, so that those skilled in the art can implement it based on the description.

[0036] Example 1:

[0037] A wildflower composition for resisting invasive alien plants, comprising, by weight percentage, the following plant seeds: Annual and biennial plants: *Scutellaria barbata* (7%), *Gnaphalium affine* (7%), *Gnaphalium affine* (4%), *Lysimachia christinae* (3%), *Symplocos lanceolata* (1%), *Lady's lace* (3%), *Symplocos dwarfusa* (3%), *Papaver rhoeas* (2%); Perennial creeping plants: *Duchesnea indica* (5%), *Potentilla anserina* (5%), *Prunella vulgaris* (9%); Perennial herbaceous plants: *Cirsium japonicum* (4%), *Taraxacum mongolicum* (3%), *Viola yedoensis* (6%), *Pseudorasbora chinensis* (8%), *Pennisetum comosum* (5%), *Echinacea purpurea* (4%), *Salvia splendens* (5%), *Salvia splendens* (4%), *Lythrum salicaria* (1%), *Prunella vulgaris* (6%), *Sanguisorba officinalis* (5%).

[0038] The ground cover plants are *Potentilla fruticosa*, *Duchesnea indica*, *Potentilla chinensis*, *Prunella vulgaris*, *Taraxacum mongolicum*, and *Viola yedoensis*; the middle layer plants are *Hedysarum heterotropoides*, *Lysimachia christinae*, *Eriocaulon buergerianum ...Papaver rhoeas*, and *Cirsium japonicum*; the upper layer plants are *Eriocaulon laceum*, *Eriocaulon buergerianum*, *Lythrum salicaria*, *Pennisetum comosum*, *Salvia splendens*, *Prunus armeniaca*, and *Sanguisorba officinalis*.

[0039] Example 2:

[0040] The planting method for wildflower combinations is as follows: 1) Seed collection and preservation Seed collection: Seeds were collected according to the proportions in Example 1.

[0041] The classification and implementation are based on the biological characteristics and maturity phenology of various plants.

[0042] Annual and biennial plants such as *Scutellaria barbata* and *Gnaphalium affine* produce fruits that ripen from late May to mid-June. Harvest the spikelets on a sunny day when the fruits are dry, discolored, and not yet cracked. After numbering and recording, spread them out indoors to dry for 2-3 days, then winnow to remove impurities and select plump seeds. These seeds have low moisture content and are suitable for conventional dry storage.

[0043] Perennial herbaceous plants such as Viola yedoensis, False Dragonhead Flower, and Dandelion have seeds that mature from May to September. Some of them have downy hairs or are easily scattered by the wind. They should be harvested in the early morning when the wind is not strong, and hung in net bags to dry in the shade to avoid exposure to the sun in order to maintain their activity.

[0044] Creeping plants such as wild strawberry and Potentilla chinensis have small, hygroscopic seeds that mature from late June to early August. Fruiting branches can be cut, air-dried until the fruit cracks, and the seeds extracted. The seeds must be thoroughly dried and sealed for storage to prevent mold and aging.

[0045] Storage: All seeds should be individually sealed and labeled with scientific name, place of origin, date, treatment method and batch number, etc., and stored in an environment of 4–10°C and 30–50% humidity. Germination rate and quality should be tested regularly to ensure that the seed source is controllable.

[0046] 2) Field survey and sowing 2.1 Preparations before sowing 2.1.1 Current Status Survey of Invasive Plants Before sowing, a survey of the current status of invasive plants in and around the project site is required to identify the types, quantities and transmission routes of alien species, which will serve as the basis for subsequent monitoring and intervention management.

[0047] 2.1.2 Removal of invasive plants During construction, it is necessary to thoroughly remove surface weeds, invasive plant roots, construction debris, and soil layers containing invasive plant remains, and to lightly till the soil to loosen the topsoil (to avoid damaging the micro-topography) and improve seed contact ability.

[0048] 2.1.2 Sowing Sowing is best done in spring (March–April) or autumn (October–November).

[0049] Before sowing, mix the seeds according to the specified ratio, and add 3-5 times their volume of sawdust, fine peat, or sifted river sand as a carrier material to ensure even distribution. Sow manually or mechanically. Immediately after sowing, lightly till the soil to a depth of 0.5-1 cm, compact it to retain moisture, and water thoroughly to initiate germination. Subsequently, keep the soil surface moist during the emergence period, especially during the critical 20 days after sowing, to prevent soil cracking or compaction and ensure successful germination of all functional plant types.

[0050] 3) Maintenance and Management Post-sowing maintenance and management are crucial for the successful establishment of the community.

[0051] 3.1 Seedling stage During the seedling stage, soil moisture and germination status should be checked daily or every other day, and sprinkler irrigation should be carried out if necessary. In the early stage of community establishment (1-3 months), the seedling time, density and coverage of each species should be recorded to assess the ecological niche filling effect and the progress of community construction; invasive plants should be controlled, and native species with strong suppression should be pruned or water and fertilizer controlled to maintain community species balance and diversity.

[0052] 3.2 After emergence Pay attention to pest and disease control, and give priority to biological control or physical barrier measures (trapping boards, introduction of natural enemies). Use low-toxicity pesticides only locally when diseases break out, and avoid flowering period and high temperature weather.

[0053] During the winter dormancy period, prune the plants to a height of 20 cm and remove any remaining plant debris and fallen leaves to reduce overwintering substrate for pests and diseases. The debris can be crushed and returned to the field to form an organic mulch layer. At this time, it is necessary to observe the growth of the winter mulch layer. If any gaps are found, reseeding should be done promptly, and invasive plants should be monitored.

[0054] Before extreme summer weather, tall plants should be pruned to prevent them from falling over, and drainage systems should be cleared to avoid waterlogging; after rain, areas with water accumulation and fallen plants should be checked promptly.

[0055] 3.3 After the community stabilizes Once the community has stabilized, intervention should be reduced appropriately, with only targeted reseeding of degraded perennial plants. Through dynamic monitoring and appropriate maintenance, the community's self-organizing capacity can be enhanced, achieving long-term, low-maintenance ecological stability.

[0056] Example 3:

[0057] Functional validation of wildflower combinations that resist invasive alien plants 1. Pre-test processing The experiment was conducted in November 2023 in the experimental field of the Zhejiang Provincial Institute of Landscape Plants and Flowers (located in Xiaoshan District, Hangzhou). Surveys revealed that the main invasive species in the area were *Erigeron candelilla*, *Solidago canadensis*, and *Erigeron simonii*, therefore the subsequent experiments used the planting numbers of these three invasive plants as the validation standard. The experimental field had been covered with plastic film for potted cultivation for the previous five years, resulting in a very low content of invasive plant seeds in the soil seed bank. Prior to the experiment, the site was tilled, leveled, and prepared into raised beds.

[0058] 2. Test Plan The test experiment consisted of one control group (A) and one experimental group (B). Control group (A) sowed only the middle and upper layer species specified in the protocol, while experimental group (B) sowed all species, including ground cover plants. Each group sowed 10 square meters. For 20 days after sowing, both groups were thoroughly irrigated using the same irrigation methods to ensure germination. During the early seedling stage, any invasive plants appearing in either group were manually removed. Once sufficient ground cover was achieved in experimental group (B), no further intervention was taken for invasive plants in either group, and they were managed uniformly. In mid-June 2024, dead two-year-old plants were cleared after flowering, and in mid-January 2025, both groups were pruned to a height of approximately 20 cm above ground. No fertilizers or herbicides were applied during the experiment.

[0059] 3. Results In August 2025, three grassland quadrats were selected from each group using 1*1m quadrats. Figure 1 Record the number, height, and coverage of all species in the quadrat, and statistically analyze their importance. Where IVi represents the importance value of species i in the community, Ci represents relative coverage, Hi represents relative height, and Ni represents relative abundance. Oringin was used to perform a two-sample t-test between the two groups for each invasive plant (Table 1). The results showed significant differences in the number, importance value of *Erigeron breviscapus*, and importance value of *Solidago canadensis* between the control and experimental groups, with all indicators in the experimental group significantly lower than those in the control group. At the mean level, the number of *Erigeron breviscapus* plants planted in the experimental group was 89.9% lower than that in the control group, the number of *Solidago canadensis* plants planted was 94.7% lower, and the number of *Erigeron canadensis* plants planted was 28.6% lower.

[0060] Table 1. Two-sample t-test of various indicators of invasive plants between the two groups.

[0061] Note: Homogeneity of variance is assumed to be significant below the 0.05 level.

Claims

1. A wildflower assemblage for resisting invasive alien plants, characterized in that, The following are included by seed weight percentage: *Scutellaria barbata* (5-7%), *Gnaphalium affine* (5-7%), *Gnaphalium affine* (3-4%), *Gnaphalium affine* (3-4%), *Gnaphalium affine* (1-2%), *Gnaphalium affine* (2-3%), *Gnaphalium affine* (2-3%), *Papaver rhoeas* (2-3%), *Duchesnea indica* (5-6%), *Potentilla fruticosa* (5-6%), *Prunella vulgaris* (6-9%), *Cirsium japonicum* (3-5%), *Taraxacum mongolicum* (3-5%), *Viola yedoensis* (6-8%), *Pseudorasbora chinensis* (6-8%), *Pennisetum comosum* (5-6%), *Echinacea purpurea* (3-4%), *Salvia splendens* (3-5%), *Salvia splendens* (3-4%), *Lythrum salicaria* (1-2%), *Prunella vulgaris* (6-7%), and *Sanguisorba officinalis* (4-5%).

2. The wildflower assemblage for resisting invasive alien plants according to claim 1, characterized in that, The following are the percentages by seed weight: *Scutellaria barbata* (7%), *Gnaphalium affine* (7%), *Gnaphalium affine* (4%), *Gnaphalium affine* (3%), *Gnaphalium affine* (1%), *Gnaphalium affine* (3%), *Gnaphalium affine* (3%), *Papaver rhoeas* (2%), *Duchesnea indica* (5%), *Potentilla fruticosa* (5%), *Prunella vulgaris* (9%), *Cirsium japonicum* (4%), *Taraxacum officinale* (3%), *Viola yedoensis* (6%), *Pseudorasbora chinensis* (8%), *Pennisetum comosum* (5%), *Echinacea purpurea* (4%), *Salvia splendens* (5%), *Salvia splendens* (4%), *Lythrum salicaria* (1%), *Prunella vulgaris* (6%), and *Sanguisorba officinalis* (5%).

3. A wildflower community formed by planting the wildflower combination as described in claim 1 or 2.

4. A method for constructing a wildflower community as described in claim 3, characterized in that, Seeds are sown in the soil according to the proportions in the wildflower combination as described in claim 1 or 2 to form a wildflower community.

5. The application of the wildflower assemblage of claim 1 or 2 or the wildflower community of claim 3 in resisting the invasion of alien plants.

6. The application according to claim 5, characterized in that, Introduced plants include Erigeron candelilla, Solidago canadensis, and / or Erigeron simonii.

7. A method for controlling the invasion of alien plants, characterized in that, The process includes the following steps: removing invasive plants from the soil; sowing seeds in the soil according to the proportions in the wildflower combination as described in claim 1 or 2; maintaining and managing the wildflowers to form a wildflower community.

8. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that, The procedure includes a step of conducting a status survey of invasive plants, which includes identifying common alien species, their numbers, and / or transmission routes.

9. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that, Introduced plants include Erigeron candelilla, Solidago canadensis, and / or Erigeron simonii.

10. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that, Maintenance and management include management during the seedling stage, the growth stage, and / or the stationary stage.

Images