---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Sat, 31 May 2008 06:17:44 -0400
From: ecuebel@...
To: carolebergmann@..., jeanw@..., jil_swearingen@...,
kathy@...
Subject: Re: Weeding and observing at Liberty Reservoir

Everyone in the Worthley group should see the Oplismenus hirtellus subsp.
undulatifolius?and be able to recognize it without hesitation.? No one knows for
sure where this stuff is growing and where it isn't. We do know that it was
found in the Little Paint Branch Park in Beltsville and on the nearby Beltsville
Agricultural Research Center.

Charlie Davis found this grass at the Hernwood Landfill and thinks that this is
source of the massive infestation in the northern section of the Patapsco Valley
State Park and Liberty Reservoir.

But there is no guarantee that it is confined to this area. One might expect to
find it almost anyplace, including the Parks of Montgomery County.? So wherever
the Worthley Class goes, they should make a conscious effort to look for it.?
Soldiers Delight joins Liberty Reservoir, so there is a possibility that this
grass in growing there; especially in the northern section, north of Wards
Chapel Road.

This grass somewhat resembles a Panicum, but all of the Panicums grow in a
caespitose clump.? The Oplismenus grows from an above ground stolon, which makes
it easy to identify in any season of the year.


There are several places where this grass can be found without much trouble: 1)
McKeldin Area of the State Park off Marriottsville Road, 2) the horse trail
south of Old Court Road in Woodstock, 3) in the pines near the boat ramp off of
Oakland Mill Road.

I don't know of any invasive plant that has been eradicated once it has become
established, so if the Oplismenus can be eradicated, it may be the first.

Perhaps, the Wavyleaf Basketgrass people, should have their own listserver or
Yahoo or Google group, so they can discuss this exciting project.? What do you
think about that?

- Ed
(of the Evasive Plant group)



-----Original Message-----
From: Carole Bergmann <carolebergmann@...>
To: ecuebel@...; jeanw@...; jil_swearingen@...; kathy@...
Sent: Fri, 30 May 2008 9:37 am
Subject: Re: Weeding and observing at Liberty Reservoir



Hello Ed,

I know that everyone is appreciative of your letting us know about the wavy
leaved basket grass site.

I personally have not responded to your email because I am not leading the
class, and I don't think I am going to be able to join the class on Saturday at
all, no matter what the activity is.

?

Though this Saturdays Botany class may not be the best way to get a handle on
controlling this particular outbreak of Oplismenus, I do have two ideas as to
people you might contact for help in dealing with it:

?

1) Marc Imlay has lead several group volunteer efforts on outbreaks in the
Prince Georges County area. Would you like me to put you in touch with him?
Perhaps he can organize something soon.

2) Kerrie Kyde who works for Maryland DNR as an Invasive Specialist is also very
interested in controlling this species on a statewide basis. I could put you in
touch with her...

?

Would either of these ideas work for you?

Carole

?

----- Original Message -----


From: ecuebel@...

To: ecuebel@... ; jeanw@... ; jil_swearingen@... ;
kathy@... ; carolebergmann@...

Sent: Friday, May 30, 2008 6:12 AM

Subject: Re: Weeding and observing at Liberty Reservoir




For want of a nail the shoe was lost.
For want of a shoe the horse was lost.
For want of a horse the rider was lost.
For want of a rider the battle was lost.
For want of a battle the kingdom was lost.
And all for the want of a horseshoe nail.

In the case of Oplismenus, the nail is stopping it at Liberty Reservoir and the
Patapsco Valley State Park.? If it gets beyond that, the kingdom is lost!

Since I have not heard from anyone, I assume that you do not want to switch the
Saturday meeting from Soldiers Delight to Liberty Reservoir and you don't need
my assistance.

I want to get back to my work area on the petroleum pipe line trail sometime in
the near future. I have learned one thing--? I need to be more careful about
pulling up those poison ivy vines, because I have a poison ivy infection on my
hands. Weeding?can be dangerous work.

Ed Uebel
Evasive Plant Specialist


-----Original Message-----
From: ecuebel@...
To: jeanw@...; jil_swearingen@...; kathy@...;
carolebergmann@...
Sent: Mon, 26 May 2008 3:13 pm
Subject: Weeding and observing at Liberty Reservoir



Greetings:

?

I was wondering if the field trip to Soldiers Delight could be changed to
Liberty Reservoir to see the O. hirtellus ssp. undulatifolius in its late spring
development.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oplismenus_hirtellus_subsp._undulatifolius


This would involve car pooling to the trail head on Ward's Chapel Road and
walking up hill for about 30 minutes. This location is about midway along the
fire road trail between Ward's Chapel Road and the Old Liberty Road. This is
where I found it growing in 1996 and is about the worst area at Liberty
Reservoir.


It is extremely important that?people learn how to recognize it, and also see
how devastating it can be to the natural environment.


Sunday, I went to section of Liberty Reservoir that is south of the end of
Bollinger Mill Road parking area and pulled up some of this grass. Here is my
report for that day.

http://home.comcast.net/~ed_uebel/WLBG.html


This is first time that I have tried pulling it up. And I did clear several
small areas, but it was slow going. The next time that I go there, I want to
take a garden rake along and try that.


The Wavyleaf Basketgrass, an invasive species of National Prominence in your own
neighborhood, surely you want to take advantage of the opportunity to observe
it.


Thank you,

Ed Uebel

Stay informed, get connected and more with AOL on your phone.


Stay informed, get connected and more with AOL on your phone.