We are just so damn good at doing this sort of thing. It is almost laughable.

>>The image of a tumbleweed rolling across a dusty Western expanse is as American as apple pie—but, of course, less palatable. But tumbleweed are, in actual fact, invasive plants that can wreak havoc upon native ecosystems, agriculture and property—just ask residents of the town of Victorville, California, which was buried by an invasion of tumbleweeds last year.

Now, as Peter Dockrill reports for Science Alert, a new study has taken a closer look at a relatively new tumbleweed species already causing problems in the Golden State—and found that the plant’s genetic makeup may help it become even more invasive in the future.

Salsola ryanii is a hybrid of two other invasive tumbleweeds: Salsola tragus, which is native to Russia and China and invasive in 48 U.S. states, and Salsola australis, which is native to Australia and South Africa and invasive in California and Arizona. Salsola ryanii was first identified 15 years ago, and scientists initially predicted that it would soon go extinct because it did not seem well adapted to the hot, dry conditions of the West. But as it turns out, Salsola ryanii thrived in California; over the course of just 10 years, it spread from two to 15 areas. It can also grow taller than its parent species, reaching a towering height of six feet.

Worryingly, Salsola tragus, one of the parent species of Salsola ryanii, has shown resistance to glyphosate, a common herbicide. Learning more about S. ryanii could help scientists figure out a way to suppress the plant before it too starts tumbling through dozens of states.<<

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/monster-hybrid-tumbleweed-out-growing-its-parent-species-180973072/

PermeateFree said:

We are just so damn good at doing this sort of thing. It is almost laughable.

>>The image of a tumbleweed rolling across a dusty Western expanse is as American as apple pie—but, of course, less palatable. But tumbleweed are, in actual fact, invasive plants that can wreak havoc upon native ecosystems, agriculture and property—just ask residents of the town of Victorville, California, which was buried by an invasion of tumbleweeds last year.

Now, as Peter Dockrill reports for Science Alert, a new study has taken a closer look at a relatively new tumbleweed species already causing problems in the Golden State—and found that the plant’s genetic makeup may help it become even more invasive in the future.

Salsola ryanii is a hybrid of two other invasive tumbleweeds: Salsola tragus, which is native to Russia and China and invasive in 48 U.S. states, and Salsola australis, which is native to Australia and South Africa and invasive in California and Arizona. Salsola ryanii was first identified 15 years ago, and scientists initially predicted that it would soon go extinct because it did not seem well adapted to the hot, dry conditions of the West. But as it turns out, Salsola ryanii thrived in California; over the course of just 10 years, it spread from two to 15 areas. It can also grow taller than its parent species, reaching a towering height of six feet.

Worryingly, Salsola tragus, one of the parent species of Salsola ryanii, has shown resistance to glyphosate, a common herbicide. Learning more about S. ryanii could help scientists figure out a way to suppress the plant before it too starts tumbling through dozens of states.<<

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/monster-hybrid-tumbleweed-out-growing-its-parent-species-180973072/

Introduced by the German immigrants for cattle feed.

An expensive day at the office:

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-09-10/hyundai-glovis-car-carrier-capsizes-off-georgia/11494214

Sorry. Wrong thread.

AwesomeO said:

PermeateFree said:

We are just so damn good at doing this sort of thing. It is almost laughable.

>>The image of a tumbleweed rolling across a dusty Western expanse is as American as apple pie—but, of course, less palatable. But tumbleweed are, in actual fact, invasive plants that can wreak havoc upon native ecosystems, agriculture and property—just ask residents of the town of Victorville, California, which was buried by an invasion of tumbleweeds last year.

Now, as Peter Dockrill reports for Science Alert, a new study has taken a closer look at a relatively new tumbleweed species already causing problems in the Golden State—and found that the plant’s genetic makeup may help it become even more invasive in the future.

Salsola ryanii is a hybrid of two other invasive tumbleweeds: Salsola tragus, which is native to Russia and China and invasive in 48 U.S. states, and Salsola australis, which is native to Australia and South Africa and invasive in California and Arizona. Salsola ryanii was first identified 15 years ago, and scientists initially predicted that it would soon go extinct because it did not seem well adapted to the hot, dry conditions of the West. But as it turns out, Salsola ryanii thrived in California; over the course of just 10 years, it spread from two to 15 areas. It can also grow taller than its parent species, reaching a towering height of six feet.

Worryingly, Salsola tragus, one of the parent species of Salsola ryanii, has shown resistance to glyphosate, a common herbicide. Learning more about S. ryanii could help scientists figure out a way to suppress the plant before it too starts tumbling through dozens of states.<<

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/monster-hybrid-tumbleweed-out-growing-its-parent-species-180973072/

Introduced by the German immigrants for cattle feed.

> Salsola australis, which is native to Australia and South Africa …

Um, what? I didn’t think we had any tumbleweeds in Australia.

From VRO Agriculture.

“There currently exists considerable confusion over the taxonomy of Salsola species within Australia. Salsola is a genus of 100-150 species around the world. Naturalised populations of Salsola tragus (or S. kali or both if considered separate) in North America and Australia are thought to have originated in Eurasia. However, early explorers reported Buskbush in the Australian outback, well before settlement of these regions. Recent studies in Western Australia have suggested that some, if not all, of these inland populations are of Salsola australis and probably a truly native species.”

“The taxonomic and native status of eastern Australia populations are unknown. The older species name of ‘kali’ originates from the Arabic ‘al qaly’ (from kali) which is the basis for the word alkali. The plant contains up to 30% sodium carbonate and was an important source of soda ash, until the early 19th century, for the manufacture of glass, soap and other products. Because of their oxalate content, the plants are potentially toxic to grazing livestock. The species is generally considered to be a weed, particularly in agricultural areas.”

mollwollfumble said:

AwesomeO said:

PermeateFree said:

We are just so damn good at doing this sort of thing. It is almost laughable.

>>The image of a tumbleweed rolling across a dusty Western expanse is as American as apple pie—but, of course, less palatable. But tumbleweed are, in actual fact, invasive plants that can wreak havoc upon native ecosystems, agriculture and property—just ask residents of the town of Victorville, California, which was buried by an invasion of tumbleweeds last year.

Now, as Peter Dockrill reports for Science Alert, a new study has taken a closer look at a relatively new tumbleweed species already causing problems in the Golden State—and found that the plant’s genetic makeup may help it become even more invasive in the future.

Salsola ryanii is a hybrid of two other invasive tumbleweeds: Salsola tragus, which is native to Russia and China and invasive in 48 U.S. states, and Salsola australis, which is native to Australia and South Africa and invasive in California and Arizona. Salsola ryanii was first identified 15 years ago, and scientists initially predicted that it would soon go extinct because it did not seem well adapted to the hot, dry conditions of the West. But as it turns out, Salsola ryanii thrived in California; over the course of just 10 years, it spread from two to 15 areas. It can also grow taller than its parent species, reaching a towering height of six feet.

Worryingly, Salsola tragus, one of the parent species of Salsola ryanii, has shown resistance to glyphosate, a common herbicide. Learning more about S. ryanii could help scientists figure out a way to suppress the plant before it too starts tumbling through dozens of states.<<

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/monster-hybrid-tumbleweed-out-growing-its-parent-species-180973072/

Introduced by the German immigrants for cattle feed.

> Salsola australis, which is native to Australia and South Africa …

Um, what? I didn’t think we had any tumbleweeds in Australia.

From VRO Agriculture.

“There currently exists considerable confusion over the taxonomy of Salsola species within Australia. Salsola is a genus of 100-150 species around the world. Naturalised populations of Salsola tragus (or S. kali or both if considered separate) in North America and Australia are thought to have originated in Eurasia. However, early explorers reported Buskbush in the Australian outback, well before settlement of these regions. Recent studies in Western Australia have suggested that some, if not all, of these inland populations are of Salsola australis and probably a truly native species.”

“The taxonomic and native status of eastern Australia populations are unknown. The older species name of ‘kali’ originates from the Arabic ‘al qaly’ (from kali) which is the basis for the word alkali. The plant contains up to 30% sodium carbonate and was an important source of soda ash, until the early 19th century, for the manufacture of glass, soap and other products. Because of their oxalate content, the plants are potentially toxic to grazing livestock. The species is generally considered to be a weed, particularly in agricultural areas.”

I was talking American specifically the prairie country. German settlers brought the tumbleweed with them. They also ploughed up the long rooted prairie grass which was adapted to hot summers and snowy winters for grain crops, who when died, allowed the top soil to blow away during the famous dust storms of the 30s.

Owns up to sheltering 4 small tumbleweeds :D One is a double!

kii said:

Owns up to sheltering 4 small tumbleweeds :D One is a double!

Tumbleweeds are like cats, you never own them.

Peak Warming Man said:

kii said:

Owns up to sheltering 4 small tumbleweeds :D One is a double!

Tumbleweeds are like cats, you never own them.

Yes, hence why I said that I am “sheltering” them.