Sunday, April 11, 2010

When Plants go Wild


I returned to my old stomping grounds this afternoon, and to my foolishness, I was shocked to see how much more lesser celandine, Ranuncus ficaria, there was along the floodplain of the Olentangy River.  In this area alone, there were at least 30 virginia bluebell plants just two years ago.  Today?  There was ONE PLANT.  This species is such a nasty, agressive invader of floodplains, it just makes me sick.

Tom

9 comments:

  1. I have broken one of my rules here: Don't personify plants. At least I think I may have done that- but really, I'm sick about this species- If it weren't here, this area would be covered with Virginia bluebells. Ugh.

    Tom

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  2. Wow, I've not seen this plant yet. I consider myself lucky!

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  3. Holy cow! Those are thick. It is the invader that I've seen around Oxford in wetter areas? Or are there other closely related natives?

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  4. I share your sentiment. I was having the same feelings today as I looked at a mass of Japanese Honeysuckle.

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  5. ... a bluebell photo (taken by Jim Oris) for you coming soon ...

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  6. Wow, I didn't realize the lesser celandine had gotten so thick along the Olentangy. Amur honeysuckle is the one I usually notice from the bike trail.

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  7. Reminds me of the kudzu and Chinese tallow trees down here, or the purple loosestrife in Canada. Is there anywhere that's safe from such invaders? People can be so thoughtless...

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  8. Ranunculus can reproduce by seed, but it also produces tiny aerial tubers that are readily dispersed by floods. Hence, its ability to colonize and spread over floodplain sites very, very quickly. Ann Rhoads, probably the best botanist in Pennsylvania, confirmed to me that the plant can crowd out native spring ephemerals despite the fact that it's only apparent on the ground for about a month.

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  9. Oh, dear...watch your blood pressure. I know it is a shame that this is so invasive, but it is also pretty. I make a lousy naturalist when it comes to stuff like this. I like Virginia Bluebells, but I can see myself liking this, too. I haven't seen it where I live, but it may be here somewhere.

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