Insects invading Virginia and Pennsylvania could be 'most destructive species in 150 years'...

.foxnews ^ | 10/20/2108 | Madeline Farber

[huldah1776]

LOL...you are probably right. I loved the prairie grass in MO. This stuff, nope.

“Chinese Lespedeza makes “Most Hated Plants” List”

I am NOT alone!

http://www.ecosystemgardening.com/chinese-lespedeza-makes-most-hated-plants-list.html

Native to Asia and Australia, Chinese Lespedeza was first introduced to the U.S. in 1899 in Arlington, VA as an erosion control and forage plant. It spread across the Southeast, and now occurs throughout the U.S. and Canada.

A single plant can persist for more than 20 years

Plants grow into large stands by spreading root systems

Because it spreads so fast, it blocks native plants and prevents their colonization

It thrives during drought because of a deep tap root
Because of this taproot, it cannot be eradicated by hand pulling

It has a lot of tannins and other chemicals which prevent other plants from growing

These tannins make older plants unpalatable to grazers
It produces a prodigious amount of seed which can spread by wind, water, and animals

Seeds remain viable in the soil for many years.

It is best controlled by burning in May, mowing a month later, and then applying herbicide in October. But this cycle must be repeated for many years to completely eradicate this noxious plant. The application of herbicide presents additional harms to the ecosystem.

[miserare]

Hah! Right on!

[Right Wing Assault]

Which cargo ship brought those in?

The last few hundred from China and neighbors.

[Right Wing Assault]

Thank goodness we often get temps below zero here in MA.

I bet they find a nice warm place to hide all winter. Adaptation is a wonderful thing.

[ViLaLuz]

I broke a rib killing them a few weeks so.