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Lessons from Weeds

Lessons from Weeds. A close look at non-native opportunistic plants. “Why do people want to kill plants that want to grow and grow plants that want to die?” . Weeds?. Non-natives Hard working & opportunistic Indicators of soil or environmental conditions pH, N – P – K, water, compaction.

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Lessons from Weeds

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  1. Lessons from Weeds A close look at non-native opportunistic plants

  2. “Why do people want to kill plants that want to grow and grow plants that want to die?”

  3. Weeds? • Non-natives • Hard working & opportunistic • Indicators of soil or environmental conditions • pH, N – P – K, water, compaction

  4. Pros and Cons? • Negative contributions • Positive contributions

  5. Contributions of hard working plants • Reduce soil erosion • Mitigate soil compaction • Improve soil (N fixing, biodynamic accumulation) • Food source and habitat for beneficial insects • Potential source of food and medicine • Indicator of soil conditions

  6. Classification review • Broadleaf (dicots) • Grasses (monocots) • “control” • Cultural (change the environment) • Physical (get down there and pull) • Biological (invasivores?) • Chemical (the last resort)

  7. Being an “invasivore” • Positive identification • Understanding of growing conditions • Free access • Ethical foraging (rule of 3)

  8. Stellaria media Chickweed - Broadleaf INDICATORS: - High N - If stunted, low P, moisture LIKELY SITES: - Shady - Fertilized CONTRIBUTION: - Food - Medicine B, P

  9. Sonchusasper Sow Thistle - Asteraceae INDICATORS: - High N - neutral pH LIKELY SITES: - Disturbed - Fertilized CONTRIBUTION: - Food, forage

  10. Taraxacumofficinale Dandelion - Asteraceae INDICATORS: - Moisture - Acidic soil LIKELY SITES: - Disturbed - Fertilized CONTRIBUTION: Food, Medicine, Insectiary

  11. Conium maculatum Poison Hemlock - Apiaceae INDICATORS: - Herbicide application LIKELY SITES: - Disturbed - Fertilized CONTRIBUTION: Insectiary, Poison

  12. Seneciovulgaris Groundsel - Asteraceae INDICATORS: - High fertility LIKELY SITES: - Cultivated CONTRIBUTION: Medicinal, wildlife food and habitat. 1 plant = 25,000+ seeds Mechanical

  13. Cyperusesculentus Nutsedge, Tigernut - Cyperaeceae - Grass (monocot) INDICATORS: - Wet soil, poor drainage - acid pH LIKELY SITES: - Overwatered - Neglected CONTRIBUTION: Nutritional tuber, medicinal, oil, cosmetics Deep fragile roots

  14. Malvaparviflora Mallow, Cheeseweed - Malvaceae INDICATORS: - Deep N - Disturbed soil LIKELY SITES: - Disturbed - Neglected CONTRIBUTION: - Food - Medicine P, B

  15. Urticaurens Nettle, Annual nettle, Small nettle - Urticaceae INDICATORS: - Deep NPK LIKELY SITES: - Disturbed CONTRIBUTION: Insectiary, Biodynamic accumulator Medicine, Food

  16. Parietariaofficinalis Pellitory of the Wall - Urticaceae INDICATORS: - Heavy metals? LIKELY SITES: - Neglected - the Wall CONTRIBUTION: Medicinal

  17. Portulacaoleracea Purslane, Verdolaga -Portulacaceae INDICATORS: Deep moisture and soil nutrients. LIKELY SITES: - Compacted, - Cultivated sites CONTRIBUTION: Food (linoleic acid), medicinal, companion plant

  18. Getting a handle on BROOM

  19. CytisusScoparius SCOTCH BROOM

  20. Genistamonspessulana French Broom - Fabaceae INDICATORS: - Low N LIKELY SITES: - Disturbed - Eroded CONTRIBUTION: - Forage, dye - Prevents erosion Mechanical. Seeds viable for 30+ yrs http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/pn74147.html

  21. Oxalis pescaprae Sourgrass, Bermuda buttercup - Broadleaf INDICATORS: - High N - neutral pH LIKELY SITES: - Disturbed - Available CONTRIBUTION: - Food - Prevents erosion

  22. Fred Bové Fred@fredbove.com Gardenswithbenefits.com

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