Garlic Mustard (Alliaria petiolata) on Aug 23, 2010
Submitter does not have a specimen
EDRR Status: Population treated
Description of specimen
Extensive garlic mustard and Clematis vitalba infestation. Clematis vitalba is mixed with ivy, and probably well known (at least between Sam and I). Garlic mustard was an additional surprise.
GM seemed to cover at least half an acre of the understory of mixed hardwoods. Did not survey for additional plants across (S. side) road, nor uphill or downhill. This central location in PDX is a good area of dispersal of the plants, so worrisome unless treated quickly.
Reporter
Aug. 23, 2010, 9:35 a.m.
The area you've described is one of the busier infestations of garlic mustard in Portland; unfortunate, and maybe predictable, given the traffic, but not unique. Treatment occurs on Burnside from 25th to Skyline, and then up Skyline, as well as in all directions from the spot you've identified. At that spot, there is a patchwork of public and private ownership, which makes the management challenging, though we are starting to close the loop. The roadsides there, and some private properties, have received herbicide treatment for at least 2 years and in some cases 3 years, though I was disappointed to see in your picture that we missed some plants this past year.
As for clematis, we consider it too widespread in Portland for our EDRR program to effectively manage. It seems ironic, but that is the catch-22 of Early Detection programs.
In the absence of a local weed board, more help is always welcome. Feel free to contact me at mitch.bixby@portlandoregon.gov, or 503-823-2989, and we can get synchronized.
Thanks again for the check-in!
-Mitch
Mitch Bixby
Aug. 23, 2010, 10:49 a.m.