By CHRISTINE HEINRICHS
The Cambria Forest Committee has updated its Guide to Cambria’s Invasive Weeds with more “nasty” weeds included, along with additional suggestions for removing and controlling them.
Cambria’s native Monterey Pine forest is threatened by exotic invasive weeds, which disrupt natural plant relationships. Although “native forest” suggests a natural condition, the forest requires specialized management and maintenance to remain healthy.
Exotic in this context does not mean beautiful. It refers to plants that are not native to this area, or even this continent. They arrived in many ways, but once here, they became established. Many invasives are also highly flammable. Invasive weeds are a serious environmental problem in Cambria. They crowd out native species, and some are more flammable than the native plants they displace, adding to fire danger.
Every Cambrian can help control invasive weeds. Weed abatement is mandated by Cambria’s Community Services District, to the extent of mowing them on vacant parcels, and applying updated standards to developed parcels. But beyond that, Cambrians can take aim at some specific weeds. Pride of Madeira and Pampas Grass are two especially obnoxious weeds.
Pride of Madeira, Echium candicans, is an evergreen shrub that can grow three to six feet or taller, with candelabra-like blue-violet flowers on side shoots. Those flowers produce huge numbers of seeds that disperse and start new plants. While bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds are attracted to its large, multiple flowers, they are better off relying on local sources of nectar, such as Sticky Monkeyflower. It is poisonous to humans, dogs, cats and horses
It is best to remove these plants when they are small. Use gloves to pull it out–the leaves are kind of bristly. Removing the blooms, especially before they go to seed will help control it. If they have already gone to seed, cut them off the seed heads anyway, bag them, and dispose of them in the green waste cans to reduce fire danger.
Pampas Grass, (Cortaderia selloana), is topped with graceful feathery blooms. Each one produces up to 100,000 seeds that are widely dispersed by wind and develop without fertilization. Its big, showy clumps, five to seven feet tall, are highly flammable and increase fire danger.
This nasty invasive is so difficult to remove that local lore says prison crews were relieved of removing it on grounds of cruel and unusual punishment. Thick gloves are needed to protect gardeners from the sharp, sawtooth-edged leaves. Ideally, cut down large plants and remove the root mass. Professional help may be needed to get rid of the plant, as it may require a machete or chain saw to completely remove the plant. Short of that, reduce the spread of Pampas Grass by removing the plumes. Bag them first to contain those seeds and dispose of them in the green waste can. Be persistent. New plumes may bloom.
Cambria Community Services Board Director Michael Thomas contributed to the revised Invasive Weed Guide through his experience in his work at Fiscalini Ranch Preserve. Director Thomas takes a special interest in parks and open space and has led the Wednesday Weeders to remove weeds from the ranch for several years. To join this volunteer effort, go to: fiscaliniranchpreserve.org/connect/volunteer/. The new edition adds several invasive grasses to the 20 that were included in the 2017 book. Each weed is pictured with suggestions for removing or controlling it.
The guide is available on the iNaturalist at: inaturalist.org/projects/cambria-s-invasive-weeds, and in Spanish at: inaturalist.org/guides/7596. Keep it handy on your phone. The Invasive Weed Guide is also available from Christine Heinrichs at: Christine.heinrichs@gmail.com for a $15 donation to the Cambria Forest Committee (P.O. Box 23, Cambria, 93428).
Photos courtesy of Christine Heinrichs
