Updated Florida Non-Native Plant Management Guidelines

Posted on November 8, 2011 by Sylvan Kaufman

The University of Florida IFAS Extension has published a revised edition of “Integrated Management of Nonnative Plants in Natural Areas of Florida” by K. A. Langeland, J. A. Ferrell, B. Sellers, G. E. MacDonald, and R. K. Stocker (SP 242).  This book covers management of non-native plants growing in Florida, but not identification.  The authors recommend Langeland, K. A. and Craddock Burks, 2008. “Identification and Biology of Non-Native Plants in Florida’s Natural Areas” (SP 257) for identification.

Both books are availaable to purchase from http://ifasbooks.ifas.ufl.edu/c-103-invasive-and-non-native-plants.aspx.  The management publication can be downloaded from  http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/wg209 and the identification guide can be downloaded from http://www.fleppc.org/ID_book.htm

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Stop the seeds, stop the spread? Sterile burning bush developed.

Posted on August 24, 2011 by Sylvan Kaufman
Euonymus alatus seeds

A new cultivar will be seedless

Researchers at the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station  have painstakingly developed a sterile triploid cultivar of Euonymus alatus, winged burning bush.  This ever-popular landscape plant has created dense thickets when it escapes into forests.  The process for developing the sterile cultivar is being patented by the researchers and the University of Connecticut.  It will take several years before the sterile plants are available at a nursery near you.  Sales of burning bush currently reach $38 million/year in the U.S.

Thammina et al. 2011. In vitro regeration of triploid plants of Euonymus alatus ‘Compactus’ (burning bush) from endosperm tissues. HortScience 46:1141-1147.

http://today.uconn.edu/blog/2011/08/uconn-scientist-develops-sterile-variety-of-invasive-plant-2/

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Swallow-wort leaf-eating beetles for biocontrol

Posted on August 17, 2011 by Sylvan Kaufman

Two moths have passed a major test towards becoming approved biocontrol agents for swallow-wort vines (Vincetoxicum spp.).  Swallow-wort is related to milkweeds, but these moth larvae appear to specialize on swallow-wort and don’t touch native milkweeds. 

http://www.northeastipm.org/about-us/publications/ipm-insights/swallow-wort-biocontrols-pass-test/

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Could Phragmites be a major allergen?

Posted on August 2, 2011 by Sylvan Kaufman

Two University of Minnesota researchers propose that the rapid spread of Phragmites australis around urban areas could be responsible for high levels of allergenic pollen.  Currently most people are simply tested for allergies to grass pollen without differentiating different species of grasses, but since Phragmites pollen is a distinctive size, the authors propose setting up pollen traps to see how abundant the pollen is compared to other grass pollens.  More than 90 million people could live close to large stands of Phragmites in the U.S.

Schimpf, D. J. and White, N. A. 2011.  Did Cryptic Invasion of North America by Common Reed Change Exposure to Pollen Allergens?  University of Minnesota Duluth Occasional Papers.  http://d-commons.d.umn.edu:8180/jspui/handle/10792/135

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Herbicide resistance in weeds

Posted on July 24, 2011 by Sylvan Kaufman

The current issue of Weed Science (vol. 59 issue 3) includes several articles on the growing resistance of agricultural weeds to herbicides. Several plant species show resistance to glyphosate, commonly used in invasive plant control. Some agricultural weeds can become invasive in natural areas and if they develop glyphosate resistance alternative control techniques will have to be used.

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Lyme disease, Japanese barberry and flame throwers

Posted on June 20, 2011 by Sylvan Kaufman

Two Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station researchers have been spending a lot of time among the barberry.  One frequently cited study of theirs links the prevalence of Lyme-disease carrying ticks with Japanese barberry infestations.  Another study discusses control techniques including herbicides and propane torches.

Williams, S.C. et al. 2009. Managing Japanese barberry (Ranunculales: Berberidaceae) infestations reduces blacklegged tick (Acari: Ixodidae) abundance and infection prevalence with Borrelia burgdorferi (Spirochaetales: Spirochaetaceae).  Environmental Entomology 38(4): 977-984.

Ward, J. S. et al. 2009. Controlling Japanese barberry (Berberis thunbergii DC) in southern New England, USA. Forest Ecology and Management 257(2):561-566.

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New uses for Japanese honeysuckle

Posted on June 10, 2011 by Sylvan Kaufman

There is always controversy about finding uses for invasive plants because you don’t necessarily want to turn them into a commodity in their non-native range, but here are two uses for Japanese honeysuckle that I recently learned about:

1. Using extract of honeysuckle as a UV blocking coating on wool clothing.  Researchers in China found that an extract of Lonicera japonica may be effective as a UV block on clothing.  It is used traditionally in China as a medicine to treat colds and fevers and an ingredient made from honeysuckle is used in cosmetics to keep skin looking younger and as a food preservative.

Sun, S. and R. Tang. 2011. Adsorption and UV protection properties of the extract from honeysuckle onto wool.  Industrial and Chemical Engineering Research 50(8):4217-4224. DOI: 10.1021/ie101505q

2. Making an infusion of honeysuckle flowers in vodka.  What a great way to stop seed production!  Here is one recipe: http://diggineats.blogspot.com/2011/05/infusion.html

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Texas Invasive Species Citizen Science initiative

Posted on June 9, 2011 by Sylvan Kaufman

A partnership of organizations in Texas has put together a citizen scientist program for reporting invasive species across the state.  The web site has online training tools and a handbook as well as a section on information for individual species, including many invasive plant species.  The informational pages include native-look alikes and control techniques.  http://www.texasinvasives.org/i101/

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