SANIBEL ISLAND, Fla.- Richard Richter says an aggressive, viney plant called an "air potato" is plaguing his Sanibel property.
"I've been fighting them for 15 years on the island and when I go up north the first of May i don't see anything but when I come back they'll be 30-40 feet tall and they'll be all over the place," Richter explained.
The plants have become a problem all over the island... often growing so large they cover up plants native to the area.
The city is working to get them under control by offering a free tree to those who bring in a bag of 25 or more air potatoes.
"Plants that aren't from here do well because they don't have any of their natural predators to keep them in check. This one in particular just grows really, really rapidly. It'll grow up to eight inches a day," said environmental specialist Holly Downing.
The group collected hundreds of pounds of air potatoes at the Sanibel farmer's market Sunday.. the largest donation of the day was a whopping 65 pounds worth of them.
Residents say they're glad the city is working to minimize the amount on Sanibel.
"It's not as bad as the Brazillian red pepper but its going to get there. It just grows so fast. It takes over everything and a little potato turns into a puff ball and shoots sprouts all over the place," Richter said.
Although they do resemble a regular potato, this particular variation is not edible.
For more information on how and where to look for air potatoes and how to get rid of them.. Go to http://www.mysanibel.com/Departments/Natural-Resources/Vegetation-Information/Exotic-Vegetation/Air-Potato/2nd-Annual-Air-Potato-Exchange-Day-2012