[Fwd: Ferula communis in California]

Sorry, I meant this for everyone, not just for Trevor
-- 
Tony & Moira Ryan <theryans@xtra.co.nz>
Wainuiomata, New Zealand. (on the "Ring of Fire" in the SW Pacific).
Lat. 41:16S Long. 174:58E. Climate: Mediterranean/Temperate

  • To: t*@picknowl.com.au
  • Subject: Re: Ferula communis in California
  • From: T* &* M* R*
  • Date: Tue, 23 May 2000 09:47:48 +1200
  • References: <01280487552718@picknowl.com.au>
tnottle@picknowl.com.au wrote:
> 
> I had seed of 2 sp of Ebenus - creticu and biebersteiniana (I think
> that was it). It germinated erratically in Winter in a standard potting
> mix with a gravel topping but the seedlings went off, not with
> mildew but what looked like just plain rain damage to the
> cotyledons. It was disappointing.
> 
> Ferula communis has been released here as a garden perennial.
> Mine looks great but it does seed fairly willingly and I am careful to
> cutr down the stalk before the seeds ripen. Last winter while
> walking in a national park about 15km away I noticed large stands
> of it growing on the steep cliff faces of waterfalls (they only run in
> winter) and thought to myself how odd it was to have gotten there.
> While the site is not remote it is a long way from cultivated
> gardens. It would seem that someone must have deliberately
> dropped seeds there. We all should take responsibility for making
> sure aour garden plants are well maintained, especially if there's a
> chance they could become naturalised and invasive as have
> Lavender stoechas, Watsonia sp, Freesia sp, Babiana sp,
> Oenothera sp, Verbena sp, Ox-eye daisies, Iris florentina (not a
> problem tho'), Rosa rubiginosa, Rosa canina, and quite a few other
> garden escapees - mostly from the 19th C.

Hi Trevor
it's frightening isn't it how so may plants can spread and quickly
become pests when beyond the reach of their natural checks and balances.
Our Government has  become so concerned that a whole raft of species,
many beloved by gardeners, such as some of the gingers and the Mexican
daisy, have been declared persona non grata and most garden centres have
entered into a covernent to no longer offer them for sale,  while
extensive eradication programmes have been undertaken in areas (mainly
in the north) where they are invading native bush. Actually it is not
only bush we have to worry about, in parts of our South Island Rosa
rubiginosa is an horriffic pasture pest, worse than thistles!!

I know OZ has is own problems too, having see paddocks full of Soursops
and Patterson's Curse outside Adelaide. Coming in by air I was puzzled
by the brilliant yellow fields and thought they might possibly be
mustard, I never thought of Oxalis till I went out among them.

And then one hears of Lantana in various countries and wattles in South
Africa. The problems seem never-ending.

I think we all need to be careful that our search for novelties does not
increase the World's already-horrendous problems in this regard. One
thing which needs to be watched carefully is the ability to set viable
seed. Any plant wich can do this vigouously and successfully  in a new
home has the potential for pest status.

Moira
-- 
Tony & Moira Ryan <theryans@xtra.co.nz>
Wainuiomata, New Zealand. (on the "Ring of Fire" in the SW Pacific).
Lat. 41:16S Long. 174:58E. Climate: Mediterranean/Temperate

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