|
|
Article: The Purple Plague.(the battle to control loosestrife plants will take a biological turn as beetles that eat it will be introduced)
- Article from:
- The Evening Standard (London, England)
- Article date:
- April 1, 2000
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2000 Carus Publishing Co. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
|
A magnificent sea of purple fills the marsh near my home in Ross Township, Michigan. It's August, and the familiar tall spikes of purple loosestrife flowers are in full bloom. Although the sight is as lovely as any drift of blooms in a carefully planned flower garden, when I look out at it, all I can think is: The purple plague has struck again!
Why are these beautiful flowers considered a plague? Thick stands of loosestrife choke out cattails, sedges, rushes, and other native wetland plants, including some that are rare and endangered. Hundreds of species of birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, fish, and insects depend on these native wetland plants. They ...