That's one terrible invasive_ far worse than the Scotch Broom we have here in western Oregon. LandDesk was reporting another invasive pest plant in the Four Corners area, cheatgrass. And I hope Poodle Dog Bush doesn't extend its range outside the Mojave! That's a real nasty customer!
I remember reading that about Casa Grande Nat'l Monument in the news recently. Good information, Jan, thanks! I haven't noticed it yet in the Flagstaff area, but will keep my eye out. Also good to know when hiking around the state.
So glad to hear it's not reached Flagstaff. I think the elevation and climate might help. Yes, the last thing we want to do is bring foreign seeds back to our home on our clothes/boots/pets.
It’s crazy how fast it grows! The main issue with kudzu is that it chokes the life out of the plants around it, and it’s tough to get rid of once it starts growing.
There's an irony in the introduction. Honeybees are also invasive / not-native to the continental US. All honey bees were introduced by settlers and displaced local critters.
The common mesquite is also non native and came up with the cattle grazing from Mexico. It threatens current ecosystems in Sonoita / Cochise county and is being removed because it provides too much advantage to coyotes / mountain lions who prey on the pronghorn antelope in the grasslands.
As I mentioned in your note on this topic, there's a really weird line in calling something invasive... because that's what plants and animals have been doing across the planet for hundreds of millions of years. To draw a line and say hereforeto nothing shall change is really kind of ... unnatural.
Thank you. I see what you're saying. I guess it's easy to look at one species and get tunnel vision about it. I know that's what my perspective is at moment.
I was up in Casa Grande yesterday (in between Tucson and Phoenix) and the Stinknet was EVERYWHERE! I don't know how one would battle this. Perhaps mowing before going to seed would help?
Good information, Jan. Thanks for educating your readers. I’ve been personally dealing with invasive species since childhood, pulling up a certain toxic weed in our family’s cow pasture. If the cow eats it, it not only poisons Bossie, it also poisons her milk.
Great post, Jan. I didn't know about this weed but know a little about fighting invasive plants. It can be SO challenging. The bit about animals not eating it and therefore eating less is something I've not considered before; super interesting and adds a dimension to the problem. Also, thanks for the mention of Longmire. I didn't know about that series but just placed the first 3 seasons on Hold at the library.
I really loved the Longmire series. When I was watching it, I knew it was filmed in my favorite Northern New Mexico. It was only in the past two weeks that I was able to visit the main locations.
Thank you for all of this information Jan! Here in Central California we have not had it in the central San Joaquin Valley. It would be horrible for agriculture if that took route. I hope scientists in Arizona discover a way to curb it’s spread!
This is great information on how to avoid being a plant vector. Scotch Broom is a big problem in Northern California and Tansy Ragwort in Western Oregon, especially the Willamette Valley. The same principles apply and it’s good to think about it as we start enjoying the great outdoors in the warming weather.
Sadly I've been having to pull stinknet plants out on my property in eastern Pinal County. We overlook the lower San Pedro River valley as well. I hate to think it must be spreading into our precious river valley! I don't know whether there is any official awareness that it has gotten this far. This is the first year I've seen it here.
That's one terrible invasive_ far worse than the Scotch Broom we have here in western Oregon. LandDesk was reporting another invasive pest plant in the Four Corners area, cheatgrass. And I hope Poodle Dog Bush doesn't extend its range outside the Mojave! That's a real nasty customer!
There are so many other organisms that are bad. This one seemed urgent to me since I live in Tucson and want it kept away!
Good luck!!
I remember reading that about Casa Grande Nat'l Monument in the news recently. Good information, Jan, thanks! I haven't noticed it yet in the Flagstaff area, but will keep my eye out. Also good to know when hiking around the state.
So glad to hear it's not reached Flagstaff. I think the elevation and climate might help. Yes, the last thing we want to do is bring foreign seeds back to our home on our clothes/boots/pets.
Sounds a lot like our Southern neighbors invasive plant, kudzu. It’s pretty to look at, but oh, so invasive.
I read about kudzu in my research.
It’s crazy how fast it grows! The main issue with kudzu is that it chokes the life out of the plants around it, and it’s tough to get rid of once it starts growing.
There's an irony in the introduction. Honeybees are also invasive / not-native to the continental US. All honey bees were introduced by settlers and displaced local critters.
The common mesquite is also non native and came up with the cattle grazing from Mexico. It threatens current ecosystems in Sonoita / Cochise county and is being removed because it provides too much advantage to coyotes / mountain lions who prey on the pronghorn antelope in the grasslands.
As I mentioned in your note on this topic, there's a really weird line in calling something invasive... because that's what plants and animals have been doing across the planet for hundreds of millions of years. To draw a line and say hereforeto nothing shall change is really kind of ... unnatural.
https://www.polymathicbeing.com/p/are-humans-natural-or-supernatural
Thank you. I see what you're saying. I guess it's easy to look at one species and get tunnel vision about it. I know that's what my perspective is at moment.
As if the desert needs any more non-native allergens. Oh boy 🙄
Thanks for the heads up. Just found your essay courtesy of @charlottependragon and subscribed.
I live in Texas but my parents live in Scottsdale and I spend summers in Payson.
I was up in Casa Grande yesterday (in between Tucson and Phoenix) and the Stinknet was EVERYWHERE! I don't know how one would battle this. Perhaps mowing before going to seed would help?
🤷🏻♂️
Keep stinknet out of my hometown!
Good information, Jan. Thanks for educating your readers. I’ve been personally dealing with invasive species since childhood, pulling up a certain toxic weed in our family’s cow pasture. If the cow eats it, it not only poisons Bossie, it also poisons her milk.
Great post, Jan. I didn't know about this weed but know a little about fighting invasive plants. It can be SO challenging. The bit about animals not eating it and therefore eating less is something I've not considered before; super interesting and adds a dimension to the problem. Also, thanks for the mention of Longmire. I didn't know about that series but just placed the first 3 seasons on Hold at the library.
I really loved the Longmire series. When I was watching it, I knew it was filmed in my favorite Northern New Mexico. It was only in the past two weeks that I was able to visit the main locations.
Thank you for all of this information Jan! Here in Central California we have not had it in the central San Joaquin Valley. It would be horrible for agriculture if that took route. I hope scientists in Arizona discover a way to curb it’s spread!
This is great information on how to avoid being a plant vector. Scotch Broom is a big problem in Northern California and Tansy Ragwort in Western Oregon, especially the Willamette Valley. The same principles apply and it’s good to think about it as we start enjoying the great outdoors in the warming weather.
Sadly I've been having to pull stinknet plants out on my property in eastern Pinal County. We overlook the lower San Pedro River valley as well. I hate to think it must be spreading into our precious river valley! I don't know whether there is any official awareness that it has gotten this far. This is the first year I've seen it here.
Scary that stuff changing the landscape and maybe even making it a fire hazard. Ugh