Is there such a thing as a forbidden being?
A forbidden being sounds strange, I think. I imagine mythical creatures from folklore, myths, and legends, beings with unique and fantastical powers or beings with cultural taboos or restrictions. But I don't think about plants.
In Norway, 28 terrestrial plants are on the Climate and Environment Directorate's list of species that are banned from trade and cultivation (1). In this case, the forbidden beings are so-called invasive plants that are not native to this area and are seen as a threat to the local ecosystem. These species are considered as not belonging and are subject to various measures of control and removal.
The concept of forbidden beings is closely related to the question of belonging - or not belonging. While the idea of a forbidden being raises questions about the implications of being considered restricted, prohibited, or banned from a particular community, society, or authority, the concept of belonging asks similar questions about what it means to not be accepted or included. Both can refer to a wide range of things, including ideas, beliefs, practices, behaviors, and physical entities.
From a philosophical perspective, the concept of not belonging and being forbidden can be seen as a reflection of human fears and anxieties about the unknown, and the desire to exert control over our environment. By categorizing certain species as not belonging and invasive, we use authority to strengthen cultural, economic, or social norms. On one hand, invasive species can be seen as a threat to the local ecosystem, and efforts to control or remove them can be seen as necessary for the preservation of biodiversity and ecological balance. On the other hand, these efforts to control invasive species raise questions about the impact of human activities on the natural world and the limits of our ability to take responsibility for and nurture the environment.
Invasive species are a direct result of human activities such as globalization and the movement of people and goods across borders. And as we continue to practice this very same behavior, we hold invasive species responsible for the results. In other words, our way to solve the problems caused by our own activities is to ban and prohibit other species.
In many cultures, forbidden beings are seen as dangerous or malevolent entities that must be avoided. This can be seen in the lore surrounding dragons, vampires, and other creatures that are feared and shunned by society. Yet other forbidden beings, such as fairies or mermaids, are viewed as mysterious and powerful entities that possess great knowledge or magic. Real beings have always been the inspiration for tails and lore, and may as well hide elements of both good, bad, magical, or powerful. But real beings are not forbidden by nature, only by culture. And the plants considered invasive by us may have been appreciated – even worshiped – in other communities, cultures, and time periods. In the PhD Project, The Settlers - Towards new Territories in Design, and this web-page I look for and present the yet unseen signs and the yet untold stories about the unwanted plants. Once we discover their well-hidden mysterious and powerful entities, maybe there will be a different place for them, than on a list of forbidden species?
These 28 plants have been banned from marketing and planting in Norway:
Alaskakornell/amerikakornell (Swida sericea)
Alpegullregn (Laburnum alpinum)
Balsampoppel (Populus balsamifera)
Berlinerpoppel (Populus x berolinensis)
Blomstermispel (Cotoneaster monopyrenus)
Dielmispel (Cotoneaster dielsianus)
Filtarve (Cerastium tomentosum)
Gravbergknapp (Phedimus spurius)
Vanlig gullregn (Laburnum anagyroides)
Grønnpil (Salix x fragilis)
Hagelupin (Lupinus polyphyllus)
Hydridslirekne (Reynoutria x bohemica)
Høstberberis (Berberis thunbergii)
Jærlupin (Lupinus perennis)
Kanadagullris (Solidago canadensis)
Kjempebjørnekjeks (Heracleum mantegazzianum)
Kjempegullris (Solidago gigantea)
Kjempespringfrø (Impatiens glandulifera)
Kjempeslirekne (Reynoutria sachalinensis)
Parkslirekne (Reynoutria japonica)
Prydstorklokke (Campanula latifolia macrantha)
Rynkerose (Rosa rugosa)
Sandlupin (Lupinus nootkatensis)
Sibirbergknapp (Phedimus hybridus)
Skjørpil (Salix euxina)
Sprikemispel (Cotoneaster divaricatus)
Sølvarve (Cerastium biebersteinii)
Tromsøpalme (Heracleum persicum)
Photo credit: Naturvernforbundet
Reference:
1. The Climate and Environment Directorate's list of species that are banned (Naturmangfoldsloven), https://www.regjeringen.no/no/tema/klima-og-miljo/naturmangfold/innsiktsartikler-naturmangfold/fremmede_arter/id2076763/
