Re: Cinnamomum camphora

At 2:15 PM -0500 23/11/98, K1MIZE@aol.com wrote:
>Michael:
>
>Although I have seen a few "volunteer" camphor tree seedlings in my garden, I
>have never heard of or seen any that have escaped from cultivation here in
>California.  I have, however seen numerous "wild" almond trees, fig trees,
>etc.  Birds seem to be the principle agents of dispersal.  Which brings me to
>a point I wished to make regarding exotic species.  In most of California, as
>I imagine is true in other arid regions, exotic species of plants, whether
>cultivated or naturalized, provide a diversity of habitat and forage that has
>become important for many native species.  This is especially true in light of
>the almost universal destruction of their natural habitat for agriculture,
>industry, and urban sprawl.  In parts of our state, nonnative trees are the
>only trees present in some areas (eucalyptus and tamarisk come to mind), and
>to launch an all-out eradication program would have far-reaching effects on
>the rest of the ecosystem.  In particular, I think of the many species of
>winter-flowering eucalyptus that provide food and shelter for over-wintering
>hummingbirds and warblers.  Any eradication or control program should take
>usage by nesting and wintering birds into consideration.

Which Michael are you replying to Kurt ?
i think the whole weed thing is a bit of ajoke.
Human beings have changed the make-up of the world's plant communities for
ever.
It is far to late to grumble.
I agree many "weeds" are now part of a new ecology - which- if we try to
change will cause futher ecological problems.
Admitedly thee are some plants like Mimosa pun?icuata that is taking over
world heritage areas like Kakadu national Park that I would like to see
stopped. Also It is very interesting to see the wonderfull efect of the
rabit eradication programme on the outback etc but
camphor laurel is a pretty heardy, fragrant (flowers and foliage) tree that
survives well in its new urban environment. Many horticulturalists. would
like there to be no eucalyptus grown in Oz new urban areas. as the ones
left are usaully rainforest varieties that fall over when they are not part
of arainforest environment.


Michael Bailes.
Herbarist
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