Farmers exert efforts to eradicate this weed from their property, but eventually they find them again, so keep their farms in check.
A single stalk with lots of branch stalks producing the flowers
Another photo to show the single stalk or branch with profuse flowers, which will eventually become seeds.
Above is an expanse of a hilly farm fully covered by this weed.
In February the flowers are already dried and the seeds are already starting to disperse. Burning the vegetation might not be an easy alternative as the vegetative plant parts remain green.
Umbels of dried seeds ready to disperse with the aid of the wind.
Some of my butterfly enthusiast friends say they love this weed because they see butterflies fleeting on the flowers. However, i disagree as there are many worthwhile and lovelier flowers that are more agreeable with the butterflies. In our case in the property, I seldom see butterflies and bees in these flowers. Maybe with high availability of alternatives, they also would not visit these flowers often. That is my current explanation on this matter, however I will still make a lot of observations from other places before i conclude of my theory.
we too have no spring :( that´s while we are calling for spring with the colors of spring! may be you will find some :)
ReplyDeleteWe have obnoxious weeds the insects love, but they are not native and in fact invasive...so I agree there are better flowers many times that are usually native.
ReplyDeleteIf you have not mentioned the word "obnoxious' I would have that you love this weed, having devoted 6 out of 7 photos to them. We have this unloved weed in our country too. They are such a nuisance.
ReplyDeleteBtw, how come you are so knowledgeable about it? Are you a weed Terminator ? ;D
Thanks Stiletto, the 7 photo is the meme for Wildflower Wednesday, you should link there too! I am a bit knowledgeable about it because it is in our property and i encounter it every moment i step outdoors, besides all my degrees are in the plant sciences!
DeleteInvasive plants are a real scourge, and control can be so difficult.
ReplyDeleteIt looks like this weed has few controls, natural or otherwise. It is difficult to control then and must really pose a problem to farmers.
ReplyDeleteHi Donna, reports say there are no natural controls because the normal predators of this weed did not come with it during its migration, predators are left in the country of origin. Yes it is a problem, vegetatively and as health hazards to grazing animals.
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