Misgivings over Miscanthus

The distinctive inflorescence of Chinese silver grass. Photo by James H. Miller, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org.

Contact:  Michael Ellis, M-NCPPC | Michael.Ellis@pgparks.com | Written by Kerrie Kyde. ANNAPOLIS, MD (November 1, 2017) – Tall silver and white and even purple plumes of grass nodding from old fields and road edges may catch your eye as they are tossed by autumn winds. Graceful and attractive in gardens, some ornamental grasses are rapidly becoming natural […]

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Where Have all the “Flowers” Gone?

Before — Exit Ramp from I-495 to MD185 (SHA Photo)

Contact: Shelley Brunelle, Maryland SHA | SBrunelle@sha.state.md.us ANNAPOLIS, MD (October 01, 2017) – When did you last travel along congested I-495, I-95 between Washington DC and Baltimore, or on US 50 toward Annapolis, and notice something missing? Missing are certainly not angry red taillights or flashing blue lights or even cautious amber work lights. Missing is […]

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A Wavyleaf Wannabe

Leaves of Arthraxon fully encircle the stem, distiguishing the species from many other invasive grasses of Maryland. Photo by K. L. Kyde.

Contact Marc Imlay: ialm@erols.com | Written by Marc Imlay and Kerrie Kyde. ANNAPOLIS, MD (September 01, 2017) – In the last days of summer, walking in the lawn in your bare feet, you may encounter small carpetgrass, Arthraxon hispidus. Also known as hairy joint grass, jointhead, and occasionally referred to as small carpgrass, this Asian annual has […]

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Maryland Oaks Would Rather “See No Weevil”

AsiaticOakWeevil Photo courtesy of Chris Joll © 2017

Contact: Cathy Stragar, MDA | Catherine.Stragar@maryland.gov Photo courtesy of Chris Joll © 2017 ANNAPOLIS, MD (August 01, 2017) – A minor player on the invasive team’s bench of heavy hitters, the Asiatic oak weevil is still an invader to watch, especially for forest managers and invasion ecologists. Indigenous to Japan, the Asiatic oak weevil was first […]

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Not a Professional Scientist? You Can Contribute Regardless!

MAEDN

Contact: Kerrie Kyde kerrie.kyde@maryland.gov and Jil Swearingen jilswearingen@gmail.com ANNAPOLIS, MD (July 04, 2017) – Even if you don’t have a degree in science, you can help support scientific research through a number of “citizen science” efforts. For invasive species research in Maryland, one of the best ways to help is through data collection. Collecting data is […]

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No Pot of Gold at the End of THIS Rainbow!

Iris pseudacorus

Contact: Dawn Miller | Dawn.Miller2@maryland.gov ANNAPOLIS, MD (June 04, 2017) – Although it is an attractive herbaceous perennial named after Iris, the Greek goddess of the rainbow, yellow flag iris is a wolf in sheep’s clothing.  Because of its invasive tendencies and negative impacts in natural and agricultural systems, Iris pseudacorus, commonly known as yellow flag iris, […]

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An Incisive Invader

Corydalis incisa

Contact: Damien Ossi | Damien.Ossi@dc.gov ANNAPOLIS, MD (May 01, 2017) – Incised fumewort (Corydalis incisa), also known as purple keman, is a biennial, shade-tolerant forb in the poppy family, related to bleeding-hearts and to the showy garden perennial spring fumewort. It is native to eastern Asia. Incised fumewort appears to be uncommon in the horticultural trade, […]

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Choose Your Viburnums with Care

Doublefile viburnum

Contact: Sylvan Kaufman | Sylvan.Kaufman@gmail.com ANNAPOLIS, MD (April 01, 2017) – Gardeners love viburnums for their white spring flowers, compact growth, and colorful fall fruits and foliage. Few gardeners know that some viburnums have become invasive plants and should be avoided. Linden viburnum (Viburnum dilatatum), doublefile viburnum or Japanese snowball (V. plicatum), and Siebold viburnum (V. […]

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Sudden Oak Death Could Be Back in Maryland, and You May Have It.

Sudden-oak-death

Contact: Ramesh R Pokharel, Plant Pathologist, Maryland Department of Agriculture| ramesh.pokharel@maryland.gov ANNAPOLIS, MD (January 05, 2017) – Sudden oak death, a relatively new disease, caused by the pathogen Phytophthora ramorum, was found for the first time in 1995, infecting oaks in California. The disease was known only in California and southwestern Oregon until 2002. However, the U.S. […]

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Invasive Species: They’ve Got “Good Genes”

Callery Pear Field

Contact: Matt Salo, Naturalist, Town of CheverlyKerrie L. Kyde, Maryland DNR Kerrie.Kyde@maryland.gov ANNAPOLIS, MD (December 01, 2016) – Invasive plants cost the U.S. economy billions of dollars each year due to losses they incur in agriculture, forestry, fisheries and the recreation industry, plus the damage they do to native ecosystems. Does genetic make-up affect a plant’s […]

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