A photo of the “knotweed” area of the slope, from April, 2012. The straw is still helping to suppress the low perennial type of invasives, such as Euphorbia cyparissias (“cypress spurge”), which is rampant on the slope. While tiny, it’s still very difficult to get rid of. It’s listed as “likely invasive” on the MA invasive plant list.
Some low, nuisance plants seen in the above photo:
- Lepidium campestre – “field pepperweed,” was ubiquitous. This particular plant is not on the MA invasive plant list, however, Lepidium latifolium, “tall pepperweed,” is. Still, field pepperweed is not native, and will take over, given the chance.
- Tanacetum vulgare – “common tansy,” in lower left corner, is another aggressive perennial on our site, and is hard to get rid of. Constant mowing in the back acre takes care of it. We don’t mow the slope, so we’re constantly pulling it out. (A different plant, Senecio jacobaea, “Tansy ragwort,” or “stinking Willie” is listed as likely invasive in MA)
- Verbascum thapsus – “common mullein” in middle right, is a perennial herb. In its first year, it forms a low rosette that sort of looks like lamb’s ears. There are always a few around the slope, however, they haven’t ever become a problem. I’ve just let them be mostly; sometimes we pull them out.