Friday, July 16, 2010

Invasives everywhere

It really makes me sad to look out on the hill behind my house and see 90% of the plants are invasive non-natives.
Here is a list of non-native invasive plants I have found:
Bull Thistle
Canadian Thistle
Perennial Sowthistle
White Campion
Garlic Mustard
Hoary Alyssum
Motherwort
Ground Ivy
White Sweet Clover
Yellow Sweet Clover
Buckthorn
Nightshade
Spotted Knapweed
And whatever the vine that is taking over everything is.

But in the midst of all this invasive crap I do find some native plants.

This I think is Solidago nemoralis (Gray Goldenrod) 


And I think this is Solidago canadensis (Canada Goldenrod)

This is Spotted Touch-me-not. Its a very cool plant. The hummingbirds like it, the sap from the plant can be used to treat athletes-foot, poison ivy & Stinging Nettle. Its leaves and stem look like impatiens but gets much taller.   
So if you find these in your yard they aren't weeds! They are native plants.

I think the definition of "garden weed" needs to be re defined. Invasive non-natives should be considered weeds. Itchy /spiny plants that are native should be given an astrix (*) that yes they are undesirable because they cause skin rash's they shouldnt be out right destroyed from your property. And any native that plant should no longer be considered a weed. 

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