Kudzu is now a huge problem in some southern states. The plant grows very fast and can completely take over an area out-competing native plants for space and sunlight. Beauty Turns to Beast Purple loosestrife was planted in gardens in the U.S. because of its beautiful flowers. The plants adapted to their new home and began growing in the wild and crowding out native wetland plants and wildflowers. One plant the loosestrife drives out is the cattail.
Cattails are one of the favorite foods of muskrats.
If a pond is taken over by loosestrife, cattails die and muskrats will leave the pond. . Going Wild Sometimes domesticated animals like cats, dogs and horses become wild or feral. Feral animals can cause problems for native plants and animals. Some plants in Hawaii are endangered because feral pigs eat them and destroy them by rooting around for food. Feral cats can kill native birds.