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| Last week south of Gonzales along Highway 183 |
Awhile ago, I posted the following and the photo above on the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center's Facebook page:
"Invasive
species are a huge concern, I know. But the rate that some are
spreading, particularly the bastard cabbage, is frightening. On our way
coming and going to the coast from Central Texas this past week, we only
saw one scenic pasture covered with bluebonnets. Bastard cabbage was
everywhere! Say farewell soon to our state flower along with Indian
paintbrushes, prairie verbenas, and, oh, so many more beautiful native
species. Is this an issue that our new Texas First Lady could take up in
honor of Lady Bird and her wildflower efforts? We've got to do
something and FAST!"
To me, the issue is getting SCARY! We've GOT to eradicate this species! But how? I have no clue!
The species I'm referring to is Rapistrum rugosum. Apparently, there's just not much we can do to fight it, but I sure wish we'd try.
Can you help, Mrs. Abbott?
6 comments:
California is mostly some kind of cabbage already. We are really having harm done by everything thing from starlings to elephant ears to this plant.
We Are Doomed.
We can pull it out. I don't have any on my lot but if I saw one piece I would kill it. I have quite a different weed to contend with. I wonder if goats would eat it. In Idaho they are using goats to eat an invasive plant.
What timing! Yesterday a friend and I drove out to see a friends yard full of wildflowers and on the drive commented about the horrible bastard cabbage that is taking over the sides of 1604 and other roadsides. We both said that when we first saw the plant years ago we thought it was pretty. Then we learned about it and realized what it is doing to our native wildflowers. Thank you for sounding the alarm Sheryl! The state of Texas needs to start getting rid of this invasive plant ASAP!
Also, others need to be told but unless they realize how damaging it is nothing will be done. I was visiting a bird sanctuary called Warbler Way last year and when I saw bastard cabbage growing in a meadow there and told the owner he should get rid of it and why, he just shrugged his shoulders and said he liked it. Ugh! At least I tried.
Driving back from east Texas to the Austin area I noticed the same thing. A very few of our beloved wildflowers were noticeable but the tiny yellow bastard-cabbage flowers were everywhere along the road.
Does anybody know what the ordinances are with regards to individuals stopping and pulling plants out roadside? Of course we cannot pick wildflowers, but what about trying to get out at least some of the seed stock for the cabbage? Is it OK for private citizens to pull it?
I don't think there is an ordinance against picking wildflowers, but I could be wrong.
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