Re: Purple Loosestrife (was Gooseneck...)
Great information, Peggy, and there was an article in the Madison (WI)
State Journal today on the subject. To paraphrase:
...Purple loosestrife was unknowingly brought to this country from
Europe in the 1830's as a stowaway in ballast sand and is found today in
26 states and covers as much as 400,000 acres crowding out native
plants and destroying the habitat of birds and animals which depend on
native plants. A group of ecologists from the Wis. DNR have studied the
problem for years, and have just started tests on a lake near Madison
with biological preditors--two kinds of beetles which eat the
loosestife's leaves -- a better solution than pulling plants by hand or
using herbicides. In Wisconsin, it is also illegal to cultivate,
distribute or sell it. It is suggested that anyone who has it , dig it
up and put it in the garbage before it flowers or goes to seed...
On a drive today, I saw it along the Rock River where I'd never noticed
it before--and I know of a marsh 5 miles away where it has completely
covered over--a pretty sight until you realize what has actually
happened to the once diverse and duck frequented marsh. I admit to
having it, but no more. I want to be a responsible gardener. Out it
goes!
--
Barb Perna
Southcental WI, Zone 4
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