Winter is here and the Italian Arum invaders are coming. We need your help to get rid of this invasive plant on Lopez Island!
Starting as early as December, Arum sent up single leaves. Take a look at the first two photos to see what you should be looking for. You may find just one, which indicates that it is a new location. Or you may find a number of them together which indicates that they have been there for more than one year, spreading outwards with new bulblets. Winter through early spring is the best time to locate thembecause they are easier to spot as there are not many other green, leafy plants on the ground during these months. If in doubt as to the identity, look at underside of the leaf photo as in the third photo. Note the “webbed’ structure which distinguishes Arum from some native bulb plants such as Lilly of the Valley which have more pronounced, feather-like veins. Later on you may find more “developed” clusters of leaves which look more like houseplants with larger, elongated leaves with some striping. Click here for more information.
The task this winter is to dig them up before they have a chance to spread by creating more bulblets or by producing berries which birds and other animals spread in late summer. Click here to see photos of the bulblets and berries. When you dig, dig deeper and wider than you think may be necessary so that you get the bulblets. For a single leaf, dig at least four inches wide and five inches deep. If it is a mature clump, dig at least four inches outside of the outer-most leaves and dig 10 inches or more down. Don’t try to save the soil or otherwise sift out the bulblets as you will usually miss some bulblets and end up coming back the next year to dig again. Note that when you dig up the larger, more mature clumps, you can expect a few leaves the following year. Don’t get discouraged. You will prevail if you are persistent. Also, the soil this time of year can be quite heavy, but you will be rewarded for your efforts. After you have dug deep and wide, place all of the material (your precious soil included) in a bag and put it into the garbage bin or take it to the Lopez Dump and let them know that you have Arum. They will take it without charge.
Contact Dixie Budke if you have questions, have Arum on your property, or of you’d like to volunteer to be an “Aruminator” at [email protected] or 805-801-1805.
For more information visit: https://sanjuans.org/noxiousweeds/
