Common Name: Goat Head.
Scientific Name: Puncturevine
Description: small, green, spindly plant with little pointed
poky seeds called nicknamed “Goat Heads.” Its leaves are tiny, ovular-like
shaped, glossy leaves.
Things that make the Goat Head plant
successful: its spiky seeds, “its seeds can remain dormant and viable in the soil
for several years Punturevine seedlings grow quickly and develop a deep, sturdy
taproot very soon after emergence. The taproot enables the plant to use water in
the soil unavailable to other plants, and makes Puncturevine capable of
withstanding very dry conditions” (https://extension.usu.edu/weedguides/files/uploads/Zygophyllaceae.pdf)
I believe that Goat Heads arrived in my yard from being
tracked in by shoes or animals probably.
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Common Name: Lacebark Elm Tree
Scientific Name: Ulmus parvifolia
Description: The one in my yard is smaller, with dark green,
pointed, pudgy, riveted leaves. Its leaves have a smooth texture with a
brownish colored stem connecting them.
Things that make it successful: it sends out runners and its
roots go very deep. It can also grow in various soil types.
I’m not quite sure how this plant ended up where it did. My
best guess would be that either the wind blew its seed, or animals or humans
tracked it here.
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Common Name: Carolina False Danilion
Scientific Name: Pyrrhopappus carolinianus.
Description: it is a small plant that grows along the
ground. It has pretty, yellow flowers, tiny, bunched, green leaves and thick
(for the size of the plant) brown stems.
Things that make it successful: its leaves are sharp, it can
have many stems with flowers on them, and it can cause allergic reactions when
eaten.
Like the others, I’m sure it was spread by humans, animals
or the wind.
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Non Native invasive species can alter ecosystems by:
1.
Crowding out the native species. This causes the
native species to start to diminish.
2.
Crowd out animals. When the plants take up too
much space in either of the instances, it causes lack of room for the other to
grow and/or survive.
3.
Less species diversity. With so much of one
species there is bound to be less of the other diverse populations.
4.
If the
plant is toxic to an animal native to that area then that could also cause
problems.
5.
It costs money to have them removed which affects
economics.
Goat Heads heads look harmless but they can do a lot of harm. They hurt for days when you step on them. Tonya Melhad BIO105 Oellers.
ReplyDeleteOh the Goat Head. The literal bane of my bike riding childhood. It is interesting to learn how hardy this weed is. I didn't know that its seeds could live dormant in the ground for years. It's no wonder why this plant continues to attack innocent and helpless children year after year. :)
ReplyDeleteI think you did an excellent job of presenting your topic and information in an organized and professional manner.