[MAIPC] FW: Canadian Thistle in Deale

[Marc Imlay]

Who can help David? 

 

Marc

 

From: David and Candy [mailto:svendeavor at gmail.com] 
Sent: Sunday, August 16, 2015 9:39 AM
To: invasives at mdflora.org
Subject: Canadian Thistle in Deale

 

My name is David Masters and I am a retired natural resource manager from
the west coast.  Invasive species issues were a subject I dealt with for
several decades as part of my job.

 

I was recently at the Anne Arundel County Library in Deale (which is a
wonderful library) and discovered a HUGE Canadian thistle in their landscape
plantings, right out front where everyone can see it.  This sucker is at
least six feet tall and very robust.  I went in and mentioned to the staff
that this was a very invasive species and should be removed before it
flowered.  They informed me that no, this was milkweed and they were very
proud of their efforts to further butterfly survival.  

 

So, two problems:

1)      The library staff have misidentified this plant (their landscaped
guy did the ID) and are spreading erroneous information about invasive
plants to their patrons.  Their hearts are in the right place and they
generally do a great job, but they are working with bad info and are telling
anyone that asks that this noxious invasive plant is milkweed and should be
protected whenever possible.

2)      This plant is huge, having been well cared for, and is about to go
to seed.  The first bloom opened yesterday and there are a very large number
of flowers getting ready to open.  I have seen no other thistles in this
area and would like to see it stay that way.

 

I've tried in person to re-educate them with no luck, after all I'm just a
walk in and their gardener assures them this is milkweed.  I've written to
the head librarian with my concerns and suggested they consult with a
botanist and have received no response.  The plant will start seeding later
this week given the hot dry weather we are having. 

 

Would you please forward this email or put me in contact with someone in the
area who might be able to go by the library, educate the staff,  and get
this thing out of the ground before it goes to seed.  There are a lot of
fields around here and they don't need to add this to the list of plants
they are fighting.

 

I'd be happy to help in any way I can, but I think I've had my shot with
educating the library staff.

 

I sent this email to Kerrie Kyde at DNR but she/he is out of the office till
the 27th and this plant will start seeding this week. 

 

Thank you,

   David Masters

  703-667-0459

 



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