The Green Planet

One Sharpshooter Way to Stop an Invasive Plant

Miconia, a plant native to Mexico, grows taller than native Hawaiian plants. A single plant can produce 10 million seeds a year, proliferating rapidly. Unable to land their helicopters, marksmen shoot Miconia plants at the stem with paintballs filled with herbicide while flying. Killing the whole plant without damaging any wild plants.

One Sharpshooter Way to Stop an Invasive Plant

2m 20s

  • Human Worlds: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Human Worlds

    S1 E5 - 55m 55s

    Sir David Attenborough reveals how humans are helping plants, many of which face extinction. From projects in Africa to re-seeding the landscape to rebuilding a Brazilian rainforest tree by tree, everyone can work to make our world a little wilder.

  • Desert Worlds: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Desert Worlds

    S1 E4 - 55m 55s

    Sir David Attenborough explores the hostile world of the desert, where plants can spend decades waiting for rain or travel to find it. Survival tactics include using weapons, camouflage and forming surprising alliances with animals.

  • Seasonal Worlds: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Seasonal Worlds

    S1 E3 - 55m 55s

    Sir David Attenborough reveals the surprising and dramatic effects of the four seasons on plant life. In order to survive the huge challenges each season presents, plants must use strategy, deception and remarkable feats of engineering.

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