Around the Farm

Spudm · May 18, 2015

Mostly near a pond, or wetland borders is an ornamental grass called "Phragmite". The Michigan DEQ has tagged this grass as an invasive species, and because it grows wild along the welands, they are coming on the property and spraying it to get rid of it. Really?
If you don't know what this stuff looks like, go to Google Images and type in the word "Phragmite". Take a look and tell me what you think.....

fixerupper · May 18, 2015

So that's what it is called! I have a patch of it in a CRP filter strip on the crick bank. Real pretty silvery look in the fall. Some people plant a patch of it in a corner of their farm lawn. I can't see where it is invasive in my neck of the woods. This patch hasn't changed size for many years but maybe the heavy brome grass that surrounds it is tougher.

Spudm · May 18, 2015

Phragmites australis (frag-MY-teez), also known as common reed, is a perennial, wetland grass that can grow to 15 feet in height. While Phragmites australis is native to Michigan, an invasive, non-native, variety of phragmites is becoming widespread and is threatening the ecological health of wetlands and the Great Lakes coastal shoreline. Invasive phragmites creates tall, dense stands which degrade wetlands and coastal areas by crowding out native plants and animals, blocking shoreline views, reducing access for swimming, fishing, and hunting and can create fire hazards from dry plant material. According to the Michigan DEQ.

RBoots · May 18, 2015

I used to go to shoot in the state bowfishing tournament in Caseville in the thumb every year. That stuff is everywhere up there around the bay, lots of fish hiding in the water around it. Can walk for miles in it in some places. Don't know if is the invasive stuff or the regular stuff. Some of the things they worry about.... 20 years ago they wanted you to plant autumn olive, now that's invasive, and everywhere, but they want you to donate your time and equip to combat it.

Ross

bradley martin · May 19, 2015

In this case, the gov't boys have it right! The European variety is actually a salt water grass, so it has a competive advantage, particularly in road ditches. It is choking out and displacing bullrushes and other marshland plants.

Spudm · May 19, 2015

Now they just send people on your property with spray equipment (like it or not) to weed spray it.

Karl in MD · May 19, 2015

It has become the scourge of the wetlands here in Maryland. Thousands, if not millions of acres of native marsh plants on the east coast, have been crowded out by the stuff. If we could only get Nutreas to eat it, then die, we'd be in good shape.

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fixerupper

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Karl in MD

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