Okay, so what's to see here? Some stones and a scrappy plant? Those of you who participate in trail work sessions may recognize the context of this photo as a bit of stone fill for a low spot on the trail. But the real message is in the scrappy plant. This is a lone opportunist sprout of Japanese stiltgrass, that invader of natural areas which you see along so many trails in the park. It comes from a seed which was carried here from another site on boots or fill material, and is a demonstration of how all the stiltgrass has achieved its invasion. If this insignificant bit of plant life is not exterminated, it will produce hundreds of seeds, creating an ever-expanding population of stiltgrass at this site. If hikers, trail monitors and trail maintainers are vigilant and uproot such opportunists, this new infestation can be avoided.
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The NaturalistThoughts on the park, its residents and how to preserve its natural beauty. Archives
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