Invasives | Curbstone Valley

Rough Cat’s Ear (Hypochaeris radicata)

by Clare | Aug 17, 2012 | Farm Blog, Flora and Fauna, Invasives

In the mornings, at this time of year, our road cuts, orchard, and especially the meadow area, are awash in a sea of yellow. This cheery swath of yellow is Hypochaeris radicata, commonly known as Rough Cat’s Ear, False Dandelion, or Flatweed. One of the most...

Sheep Sorrel (Rumex acetosella)

by Clare | Jun 12, 2012 | Farm Blog, Flora and Fauna, Invasives

When we cleared the slope for the orchard, we cleared a small area that had been choked with vegetation, including a number of invasive species, and dead, or diseased trees. This resulted in much more sun reaching the slope, and a significant amount of soil...

Oxalis pes-caprae

by Clare | Mar 9, 2011 | Farm Blog, Flora and Fauna, Invasives

A few short years ago, when we first moved to Curbstone Valley, there was no Oxalis pes-caprae to be found anywhere on the property. None. I was almost smug about it, as I’d hear of friends closer to the coast constantly battling the thick choking mats of this...

Cotoneaster franchetii

by Clare | Nov 8, 2010 | Farm Blog, Flora and Fauna, Invasives

Plants in the genus Cotoneaster (prounced co-to-ne-as-ter, not cot-on-easter) are very popular with north American gardeners, and not without good reason. Cotoneasters are variable in form, from prostrate low-growing ground-covers, to tall arching shrubs, and may be...

Cirsium vulgare

by Clare | Jul 14, 2010 | Farm Blog, Flora and Fauna, Invasives

Since spring, the orchard appears to have been a haven for thistles. Sow thistle (Sonchus asper), and the occasional artichoke thistle (Cynara cardunculus) predominated in early spring, along with some wild mustard. They were removed, and now, as the weather has...

Going to Seed II – Non-Natives

by Clare | Jun 17, 2010 | Farm Blog, Flora and Fauna, Invasives, Non-Natives

Yesterday we showed you a few of our native plants that are starting to set seed, plants that we hope will continue to grow and fill in over the years. Unfortunately, we also have a number of uninvited guests that like to call Curbstone Valley home. I’m not...