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Pge4 the HERALD Wednesday July Monster plant Continued from page Since its not a native plant to North America it has no natural enemies to impede its spread the OFAH release indicates Neither the plants seeds roots stems or leaves provide food or shelter Instead the woody- stemmed plant displaces the areas native plants which do pro vide sustenance and cover loosestrife thrives two feet into and out of the water which is a critical area for fish and wildlife said Mr Hopper 3tie native plants in this zone provide food cover nesting habitat brood rearing habitat spawning and nursery habitat Morris a biologist for the Credit Valley Conservation Authority CVCA has seen how the displacement of natural vegetation by purple loosestrife such as cattails bullrushes bureed and arrowhead emergent marsh plants is wildlife species such as the Redwing Blackbird The Redwing Blackbird nests in cattails by weaving the cattail reeds into a nest The hardy stem of the plant supports the weight of the birds and the nest he said In some areas where the cat tails have been squeezed out the birds have tried to nest in the loosestrife but the plants just fall over The only class of wildlife that seems to utilize the plant are in sects which feed on the blooming flowers nectar Insects take advantage of the plant but that cant be considered a benefit because those insects can do quite well on the native flowering vegetation said Mr Hooper Whats worse is that the plant is virtually impossible to destroy save for massive spraying of her bicide which when used would destroy the natural vegetation along with the purple loosestrife Spot spraying can be done but due to immense mass plants is unfeasible said Mr Hooper Cutting and pulling the plant is also useless because the loosestrifes incredibly strong roots simply fragment and sprout thicker clumps of new plants Even if a plant is pulled roots intact it cant be thrown onto the ground to die because it will sprout nodules which will root themselves into the ground to sprout more plants he explained Once purple loosestrife starts blooming in midsummer it pro duces millions of seeds each plant can produce million seeds which can lie dormant in the mud and sprout under ideal conditions years later said Mr Hooper The only effective control would be the introduction of the plants natural insect and disease enemies which are maintaining the plants spread in Europe But researcch into the feasibility of controls has only just begun in the United States and could take decades before scientists find something that wont further threaten our native wildlife said Mr Hooper All the Ministrys efforts art now being focused on educating the public to ensure they dont un wittingly contribute to the spread of purple loosestrife Astonishingly few people realize the plants threat and carefully cultivate the blossoms in their own gardens said Mr Morris Maybe the blame should be laid on the Ministry of Agriculture and Food which is responsible for listing threatening plants as nox ious weeds to make the sale of them illegal So far purple loosestrife hasnt been classified as a noxious week despite urging from environmental organiza tions such as Ducks Unlimited It doesnt help that most nurseries sell purple loosestrife as a garden perennial All the nurseries listed in the yellow pages for Halton Hills Birchway Farm and Sheridan Nurseries admit they either sell the plant or have no knowledge of the effect it has on Ontarios wetlands A nursery owner said be has plants in stock because it Is a popular seller Another said now that if she knew about purple loosestrife she would stop selling it Shes angry that nursery trade magazines havent carried any articles warning nursery owners MOM SAYS HOW MUCH Mom wants to make room and is ready to make a deal so Hurry In Ontario Chesterfield Wholesalers Behind Auto Malt Guelph OFF BATH OR CUP AT PET JUNCTION Clip This Coupon Save All Breed Grooming Welcome I PHONE FOR ATPOINTMENT I I Appointments not 9 MIES I Passive Reducing Salon Sessions FREE Eyebrow Wn with Full Leg Bikini 8734907 1 16 Guelph St Rear Entrance Georgetown Sharon of Glen Williams looks out over the Credit River everyday from Prestons Grocery and Meats where she works but she like many people never realized the purple loosestrife Invading the river is anything other a pretty plant WIN A PRINT NAME THE ORIGINAL THE WINNER OF THE TITLE WE CHOOSE WILL RECEIVE A PRINT AT J Coma visit uat the and Iff out your ballot during regular Frfday and Saturday buainas hours An to our marquee ALMAR AH STUDIO LTD Guelph St GEORGETOWN 8734229