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Itchgrass
1a.) Itchgrass,Rottboellia
exaltata, was first discovered
in Arkansas in September of 1982 on a farm west of Hamburg in Ashley
County. The infestation was believed to have started from an uncleaned
combine from Louisiana used in previous harvesting years on this
property.
In December,
of 1982, the Arkansas State Plant Board took action to declare itchgrass
a public nuisance and placed in on our noxious weed list.
Itchgrass gets
its name from the hairs or trichomes on the stem which easily break
off and can work into the skin on contact. The plant itself looks
very similar to johnsongrass, however, has aerial brace roots which
helps support the stem. When in the seed stage, identification can
be made from the distinct seed head. The seeds are one-fourth inch
long and stacked one on top of the other which easily break apart
at maturity. The seed usually germinates readily; however, if the
conditions aren't optimum, the seed can lay dormant in the soil
up to six or seven years before germinating. This characteristic
has made it an extremely successful plant and in turn a nightmare
to eradicate. Due to aggressive eradication measures of the staff
and cooperation from affected farmers, the populations have been
reduced from millions of plants and seed over nearly 80 acres in
1982 to no plants found last year. Due to the nature of the seed,
the Plant Board's survey and detection campaign will continue several
more years until such a time we can declare it eradicated.
1b.) The
state continues to implement a control project for itchgrass (Rottboellia
exaltata) at locations in Ashley and Arkansas Counties.
The Plant Board has been very active since 1982 fighting itchgrass
in Ashley County and has been successful at drastically reducing
the acreage and intensity of the isolated "hot spots".
3 farms have been eliminated from the survey in Ashley County and
3 other farms are presently being controlled. We are controlling
one location in the city limits of Hamburg, AR. These locations
are monitored on a 2 week interval from mid-June through frost.
The Arkansas
County location is a farm east of DeWitt, Arkansas. The Plant Board
is working with the farmer by locating round-up ready soybeans to
plant as well as providing the materials costs for one extra roundup
application on a 30 acre field. This field is also monitored on
a 2 week interval from mid-June through first frost.
Loosestrife
2a.)
Purple Loosestrife is a wetland plant native to Europe and Asia.
In the early 1800's, loosestrife became established in the Northeastern
port areas and has methodically spread westward through the waterways.
It is not beginning to show up in Arkansas. Its presents represents
a threat to our wildlife, as well as our agricultural industry in
this State.
Purple loosestrife
Lythrum salicaria is a tall, hardy, aggressive perennial.
It's most easily identified when it blooms in June through August.
The flowers are clustered up and down spikes and are very showy
being a purple-pink or magenta color. The flowers are 1/2"
to 3/4" wide with 4-6 wrinkled petals. These leaves are either
opposite or whorled and can be 1 1/2" to 4" long. The
leaves are attached directly to the stalks (no petioles).
During the bloom
season, plants can have multiple flower stalks and often looks like
a whole top of the plant is purple-pink. These plants will be found
between the low water to high water marks on the banks of rivers,
streams, lakes, ponds, irrigation channels, drainage ditches, swamps,
and marsh areas.
If you see any
plants next Summer that might be suspect, I would appreciate you
contacting us.
In 1990, regulations
concerning loosestrife was formalized into regulation. The regulation
is in Circular 11, Section VII under Miscellaneous Regulations,
Item 8.
2b.) Purple
Loosestrife. Since all Lythrum
species were designated noxious weeds in 1990, the Plant Board has
continued eradication efforts on 3 areas known to have purple loosestrife.
The infestation in southern Randolph County, first found in 1991,
was treated with 2 applications of Rodeo in 1998, one in July and
one in early September. The 1/8 acre in Horseshoe Bend and the ½
acre patch in Southern Stone County are also currently being monitored.
Have
You Seen This Plant?
3a.) Giant salvinia,
Salvinia molesta, is an aquatic fern prohibited in the United States
by Federal law.
Status:
Currently invading sites in Texas and Louisiana, giant salvinia
has the potential to infest aquatic habitats, wetlands, and rice
fields across the South. Native to South America, its introduction
by humans has caused severe economic and ecological problems in
many counties including New Zealand, Australia and South Africa.
The Problem:
Giant salvinia grows rapidly to cover the surface of lakes and streams,
spreading aggressively by vegetative fragments. It forms floating
mats that shade and crowd out important native plants. Thick mats
reduce oxygen content and degrade water quality for fish and other
aquatic organisms. Mats impede boating, fishing, and swimming and
clog water intakes for irrigation and electrical generation.
Characteristics:
Oblong floating leaves, ½ to 1 ½ inches long. Young plants have
smaller leaves that lie flat on the water surface. As plants mature
and aggregate into mats, leaves are folded and compressed into upright
chains.
Leaf surfaces
have rows of cylindrical hairs topped with four branches that are
joined at the tips to form a "cage" (view with hand lens).
These hairs give a velvety appearance and repel water. Distinguish
from common salvinia, Salvinia minima, which has leaf hairs with
branches always free at the tips.
Underwater root-like
structures conceal stalks with egg-shaped spore cases attached.
Spore cases are not found on young plants.
Prevention:
Plants can be carried overland on anything entering infested waters.
Boaters and anglers can help prevent spread by removing all aquatic
plants from propellers, intakes, trailers and gear before leaving
a launch area. Always blow out jet ski intakes and wash boats and
equipment land-side before traveling to a new waterway.
Help
Protect Our Aquatic Resources
Watch Out For And Report Giant Salvina
Giant salvinia
may be introduced with aquarium or water garden plants. Please notify
the Plant Board if you suspect seeing this plant.
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