I thought this was an interesting campaign against a couple of local offenders...
The sign was spotted where we parked at the head of the Hood River Penstock Flume Pipeline Trail. Of course the stylized presentation caught my eye, but I don't know that I could successfully ID the plant from those small photos. What about you?
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When I grew up, we had a hedge of this plant shielding our dining table from the nearby neighbors. Every fall, my dad would cut it down, and every spring, it would sprout back up in a matter of days. We found it extremely useful, of course, and so very easy. Mind you, this was in Sweden, so a completely different setting and climate than here. I imagine it would translate to zone 5, or maybe even 4. That said, I would never ever try it here, for the reasons mentioned on that poster. You are right - the photos don't quite do it justice. A scale figure would have helped - they tower over a standing human, and each leaf is bigger than a hand with all fingers splayed. Come to think of it - maybe I have this plant to thank for my love of large leaves? Hmmm...
ReplyDeleteI don't know that I've ever actually seen it, and I had no idea it could act as a hedge. Interesting!
DeleteYou are right about the photos, esp. since they want to inform those who are less familiar with plants.
ReplyDeleteMissed opportunity!
DeleteI'm glad to see the county trying to recruit help from visitors. A local park posted similar signs - with even smaller photos - mainly to encourage visitors to avoid planting the "wrong" plants in their gardens. I haven't visited that park all year. I may have to pay a visit to see how their effort to replace invaders with natives is going, assuming it's been reopened.
ReplyDeleteIn our latest round of measures to control COVID our governor has closed all gardens, I wonder if that means parks too? Hmm...
DeleteOnce you see this plant up close and personal you would have no trouble identifying it. It is massive and so very different than what is growing around it. It's a bit scary actually.
ReplyDeleteI don't think I've ever actually seen it!
DeleteI agree about the small scale of the photos being less helpful. But I can personally ID it anywhere now, because it is screaming through parts of Astoria, and I'm very worried about its proximity to my garden. I read that that in England, if you have it on your lot you are legally required to declare it when selling your house. It is truly nasty stuff.
ReplyDeleteInteresting, I think that's a good requirement!
DeleteOh, God, you DO NOT WANT this plant in your environment. Once established, it is nearly impossible to eradicate, as even a 1" piece of root will start a new plant. I'm sure they thought it was a pretty and useful plant when it was introduced from Asia, but what a nightmare. It owns much of our river along our property and is increasing exponentially. I hope it doesn't get a hold out there and folks stay on top of it.
ReplyDeleteI've seen photos of it taking over cliffsides. Sorry to hear you've got fist hand experience.
DeleteIt's a big problem here, too. Good that they're asking people to call a specific number to have the professionals actually eradicate it.
ReplyDeleteIt must be working since we didn't see any?
DeleteIt would be scary if this got loose in a waterway. It took me years to get it out of my garden.
ReplyDeleteSounds like you were successful though? Congrats!
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