| 15 weeks 2 days 2 hours ago Fighting a European invader in Maine
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(Amy Sinclair, NECN: Maine) - Volunteers fanned out along Maine's southern border at Kittery Point Monday to try and push back a European invader. The invader, a wild herb called Garlic Mustard, has already wreaked havoc in parts of southern New England. Mainers are cautiously optimistic about their defensive.
NECN's Amy Sinclair has more.
Script:
The white-blossomed plant looks harmless, swaying in the spring breeze on this Kittery Point roadside, but wildlife biologists will tell you Garlic Mustard is nothing but a stinky bully.
Volunteers, armed with gloves and trash bags, are fanning out across the Rachel Carson Wildlife Refuge uprooting the invasive plants from the forest floor before they go to seed.
A single plant can produce thousands of seeds...and because the European invader has no natural enemies in the United States, it can quickly crowd out native plants like the Trout Lily.
Under direction from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, they've been pulling Garlic Mustard for five springs...each year documenting its rate of return. So far, the volunteers are winning..good news says Maine's Department of Agriculture.
While areas in Massachusetts and Connecticut are overrun by Garlic Mustard, it's only been detected in a handful of Maine communities.
Toni Pied's heading up a citizen initiative in Gardiner to rid the local forests of the pesky plant. .
Tony: "Not only can it crowd out native species,
it creates an environment where other species aren't able to grow..."
If you're not sure the best way to tell is with your nose. Crush the leaves. They have a distinct garlic odor. Once harvested, Garlic Mustard should be contained in a plastic bag to avoid spreading seeds.
With enough watchful eyes and helping hands, the stinky bully won't become a runaway menace.
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