Queen Anne's Lace seed

[pugs]

Martin,

I've heard that. Oregon is doing everything it can to prevent it from getting started here. We are already fighting scotch broom, a few patchs of kudzu, star thistle, english ivy, and a few others I can't remember. We don't want Purple Loosetrife here too.

Pugs

[cff]

I've never seen Purple Loosestrife growing here in the south east, is that something predominant in northern states ?

[sammyqc]

That's what I was trying to say, maybe it didn't come out right?! What I was saying was don't plant it! I know it's not native here, as purple loosestrife isn't, but QAL is here now, and not much one can do to get rid of it. Loosestrife is taking over habitats, now, as well. Not a good thing for ecosystems. It's a real problem, as there is nothing here to keep it check. Same kind of thing as the Zebra mussel problem. No natural predators, nothing to take it down.

[Alan]

We are now fighting Kudzu pretty heavily in Washington County Indiana with the warmer winters we have had in recent years. I hope desperately that it is under controll but I have my doubts.

[bluelacedredhead]

Kudzu is edible you know, and apparently, quite nutritious and tasty. Beware of the areas where municipalities spray however...

www.azcentral.com/home/food/articles/0320cookingkudzu0320.html

Alton Brown, one of my al-time (in joke, lol) favourite Food Network folks, devoted a small segment of one of last season's Feasting on Asphalt episodes to Kudzu. And a quick google did snag me a few recipe suggestions, such as the Quiche recipe link at the end of the aforementioned article...

[plantsnobin]

It's funny how we look at things. Native versus alien plants, when things have been changing since the begining. Native purists say that only things here more than 200 years ago should be allowed. They always say that natives are 'better adapted' to the conditions. So, if that were true, why would 'aliens' be able to get the upper hand on natives? Don't take this wrong, please. My favorite plant of any on the planet is 'Virginia Bluebells'. I love our native plants, and grow many. I just think that we tend to think in terms of our lifetime, not in terms of the 'overall scheme of things'. Fossil records indicate that Ginkgo grew in Indiana a very long time ago. Kudzu is useful for all kinds of things. We just need a Booker T kind of person to utilize it. But then, Monsanto wouldn't really want anyone to use it, now would they? State governments spend a lot on Roundup for these 'invasives'. With the drought the south has had, maybe it is time to start baling Kudzu. I know it is a more complex issue than this, But if the Earth is in a warming trend, time to start growing what will survive the conditions we will be facing.

[sammyqc]

In some ways you're right, but the major problem with invasive aliens (haha) is that they displace natives partly because they have no natural enemies. Kinda like when Europeans came to North America, just look what happened! But seriously, it's a balancing act, all of nature is, and when one species is displaced, the flora and fauna that depend on that one species are also affected! It's a whole domino effect. And it's the human introduction of these species, not the natural introduction. But then again, maybe that is natural.
It's not all black and white, just like everything!

[plantsnobin]

Please don't misunderstand me here, I'm not trying to be argumentative at all. I think that people are the most destructive force on the planet. Well, at least the typical north American type of people. Pavement has destroyed more native habitat than any alien plant will. Lawngrass has displaced more native habitat than any other alien plant will. I just think it is funny where we place all our attention sometimes. I am certainly guilty of this myself. Last year my daughter and I went for a walk along the old railroad line that seperates our property from my grandparents place. There was some garlic mustard that we pulled, and I told her how important it was not to let it go to seed, we will do it again this year too. But, at the same time, I mow two acres of lawn. How stupid is that??? VERY. Who knows, with the price of hay, maybe this year I can talk my husband into baling the yard. That would make more sense than mowing every week.

[sammyqc]

Not argumentative here! Baling the yard sounds like sense (or rent it out to someone with a couple horses?) Get some manure at the same time as getting the grass cut! And I agree it is funny where we put our attention. I was at a forum, can't remember where, but we were talking about birds. People were encouraging others to kill House Sparrows, because they are not native, they take over other birds' nests! I just kept thinking, we are bird watchers, we are here because we like birds, and so why should I want to kill them? And that's true about pavement, and lawns. It's so funny how much effort goes into a lawn. For what?

[Alan]

"invasive species" can definetly be controversial. I can see it from both sides in all honesty. The only thing I worry about with Kudzu is how it overtakes trees and woodlands, which worries me because the big cash crop of ginseng I have planted and definetly don't want to loose.


I can defientely see it both ways thats for sure. I have eaten friend Kudzu before, it's not bad but at the same time not great.

I don't think it will ever take hold in Indiana like it has down south and I certainly hope it doesn't , but that doesn't mean that it won't.

[americangardener]

Just thought you guys might like this link. I came across it while looking for historical plants. Apparently it has some other medicinal uses that you guys haven't mentioned yet, or at least regular carrots do. www.suite101.com/article.cfm/historical_plants/117382

Hope that's usefull for something. As far as around here they are just considered weeds, and darn hard to get outta my garden.

Dave