The Economic Times

In the 1950s, California brought in Cape ivy as an ornamental vine; it spread across 500,000+ acres, cutting native seedling variety by as much as 95%

Cape ivy, introduced to California in the 1950s for ornamental purposes, has turned into a destructive invasive species. Its rapid growth shades native plants and competes for essential resources, leading to a significant loss of biodiversity in many regions. Efforts to eliminate this resilient vine have been challenging, but new biological control initiatives show promise in curbing its spread and rehabilitating affected ecosystems.