[MAIPC] lesser celandine control

[Bailey, Whitney - FS]

>From http://www.nps.gov/Plants/alien/fact/rafi1.htm: 

"MANAGEMENT OPTIONS
Due to its short life cycle, the window of opportunity for controlling fig buttercup is very short but it can be accomplished with persistence over time using methods that are appropriate for the site and size of infestation. While manual methods are possible for some (small) infestations, the use of systemic herbicide is more effective because it kills the entire plant including the roots and minimizes soil disturbance. 

Biological
No biological control agents are currently available or being investigated for fig buttercup. 

Chemical
In order to have the greatest negative impact to celandine and the least impact to desirable native wildflower species, herbicide should be applied in late winter-early spring, generally February through March. Start applications prior to flowering and up until about 50 percent of the plants are in flower, around April 1, then stop. After that, control success declines and many more native wildflowers have emerged that could be killed by spray. Native amphibians would also be emerging and could be harmed. Apply a 1 to 1.5% rate of a 53.8% active ingredient glyphosate isopropylamine salt (e.g., Rodeo(r) which is labeled for use in wetland areas), mixed with water and a non-ionic surfactant to foliage, avoiding application to anything but the celandine. Glyphosate is systemic; that is, the active ingredient is absorbed by the plant and translocated to the roots, eventually killing the entire plant. The full effect on the plant may take 1-2 weeks. Retreatment the following year will likely be needed. Applications can be made during the winter season as long as the temperature is 50 degrees Fahrenheit or above, and no rain is anticipated for at least 12 hours. Because glyphosate is non-specific, spray should be directed such that it contacts only fig buttercup and does not drift onto desirable native plants. To minimize impacts to sensitive-skinned frogs and salamanders, some experts recommend applying herbicide in March and then switching to manual methods. 

Manual-Mechanical
For small infestations, fig buttercup may be pulled up by hand or dug up using a hand trowel or shovel. It is very important to remove all bulblets and tubers. Due to the abundant tiny bulblets and tubers, all material must be bagged up, removed from the site and disposed properly in a landfill or incinerator. A major consideration when manually removing invasive plants like this is the disturbance to the soil which can encourage the target invasive as well provide openings for invasion by other exotic species. For these reasons, manual and mechanical removal is probably inappropriate for larger infestations in high quality natural areas."


Whitney Bailey 
Forest Ecologist
Forest Service 
Monongahela National Forest
p: 304-636-1800 x280 
whitneybailey at fs.fed.us
200 Sycamore St. 
Elkins, WV 26241
www.fs.fed.us 

Caring for the land and serving people



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Message: 1
Date: Wed, 29 Apr 2015 10:54:44 -0400
From: Kathy Michels <kathleen.michels at verizon.net>
To: Ruth Douglas <cvilleruth at embarqmail.com>,	"'Bergmann, Carole'"
	<Carole.Bergmann at montgomeryparks.org>,	"'Farrah, Mary'"
	<mfarrah at udc.edu>,maipc at lists.maipc.org
Cc: 'Larry Haller' <Larry at flamboyantcottage.com>
Subject: Re: [MAIPC] lesser celandine control??New EDRR species in the
	Mid-Atlantic
Message-ID: <504611c0-648b-4928-bab3-510e2c5c06dc at email.android.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"

Speaking of lesser celandine it has taken over everywhere in our local stream valley parks (Sligo Creek and Northwest Branch especially) and is destroying the foremerly extensive bluebell fields on Northwest branch.

How can we control lesser celandine?? Pulling is counter productive  and the parks are not likely to nor should they do whole sale spraying. So what to do??? On my steamside property ive actually been  digging up and disposing of the mats of plants along with the soil the bulbs are in. But not doable for huge fields of it.

*********************