FRIENDS OF EDGEWOOD NATURAL PRESERVE
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FRIENDS OF EDGEWOOD NATURAL PRESERVE
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YELLOW STAR-THISTLE UPDATE By Ken Himes With the arrival of Labor Day, volunteers from the Friends of Edgewood and the California Native Plant Society have nearly completed the planned removal of yellow star-thistle for 2003.
Removal has taken place in nine sites situated along the Service Road. The combined size of these sites is about 15 acres. Except for partial mowing of one site and weed whacking on two additional sites by Parks staff, all work has been accomplished by manual (hand) removal. This is a significant development for 2003. It would have been impossible to consider manual removal on such a wide scale when our project began. Most of you are aware that our partnership with San Mateo County Parks and Recreation is only in its fourth year, but it’s been a productive four years. Extensive mowing by Parks staff took place the three previous years. Volunteers removed resprouts in mowed areas and very little seed has dropped. Each year has seen a further reduction in yellow star-thistle densities. It is the result of well-timed mowing with volunteer follow-up that has allowed manual removal to be possible over such a wide area. As we continue to reduce yellow star-thistle densities, it will be possible to expand into new areas. I mentioned one partner, San Mateo County. We also need to give credit to our insect partners. There are four insects present at Edgewood County Park and Preserve that have been released as biocontrol for yellow star-thistle (see Paul Heiple’s article on page 5). The larvae either damage the stems or bore into the flower head. This results in very little seed production. A large percentage of YST plants have damaged flower heads. This lack of seed drop has allowed our removal season to be extended by at least one month. I have recently found some heads with visible achenes. (The achene is the fruit that contains the seed). We will now begin to work on bristly ox-tongue, another aggressive non-native member of the sunflower family. It is widespread in the complex of meadows that are situated near the west kiosk. Come out and give us a hand. We will continue to work Wednesday evenings until daylight savings ends. Contact Drew Shell at shell@corp.webtv.net for more information. We also work Friday mornings throughout the year. Contact John Allen, jcakwa@aol.com. Or call me. Edgewood Weeding Special
Paul Heiple and I are hosting a special Saturday session on October 25 from 9 am to noon. We will be targeting bristly ox-tongue. Meet at the intersection of Cañada Rd. and Edgewood Rd., or at the West Kiosk if you are late. We will enter Edgewood along the Edgewood Trail, which will give us an opportunity to see the rare Lessingia hololeuca, or Woolly-headed Lessingia. |
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