Elk Clover (Aralia californica) on Sep 28, 2010
Submitter does not have a specimen
Description of specimen
I work for the City of Springfield and work as the mower as well as maintain the bioswales. I have been certified for invasive species indentifaction first responder. While out for an evening of photography. While hiiking up Tire Creek I came across some areas of Japanese Knotweed growing along Tire Creek. The plants are still confinded to small areas,but are seeding next to the creek. They are about 200 feet upstream from from the bridge and easy to find.
Commentary
Expert Reviewer
Mrs. Lindsey Wise
Oregon Biodiversity Information Center, inr.oregonstate.edu/orbic
Oregon iMapInvasives
Institute for Natural Resources
Portland State University
Thanks so much for reporting knotweed to the hotline. It is unfortunate to see this plant so high up in the watershed, but we appreciate your report so we can try to prevent its further spread. I am going to share this report with the Willamette National Forest as well as the Middle Fork Willamette Watershed Council to get their recommendations for how to respond. I'll let you know the outcome. Thanks again for reporting new invaders. Keep up the great work!
May I ask how you were certified as an invasive species identification first responder? Did you attend a training? Please feel free to respond directly to my email: tania.siemens@oregonstate.edu.
Thanks again,
Tania
Tania Siemens
Invasive Species Early Detection and Rapid Response Coordinator
The Nature Conservancy
WISE Program Coordinator (Watershed and Invasive Species Education)
Oregon Sea Grant Extension
tania.siemens@oregonstate.edu
541-914-0701
Tania
Tania Siemens
Oct. 6, 2010, 9:15 a.m.
I wanted to let you know that the Forest Service botanist checked on the site and found it to be the native plant, Aralia californica. I hope this is true as it would be a big relief, however I do want to double check this with you. Can you check these links and look at the photos, and confirm this is the species you saw?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aralia_californica
http://www.calflora.org/cgi-bin/species_query.cgi?where-calrecnum=504
If it turns out to be the native, then we can breathe a big sigh of relief. I am also very happy you reported this species! Your report was very valuable because it shows that you are actively looking and reporting, as well as helping us identify possible native look a likes that we can include in our early detection trainings. So, thanks so much again for submitting the report. I hope you continue to look for and report new invasive species wherever you go.
We are planning another "new invaders" awareness training next spring an I will let you know the date. Hope you can be there!
Take care,
Tania
Tania Siemens
Invasive Species Early Detection and Rapid Response Coordinator
The Nature Conservancy
WISE Program Coordinator (Watershed and Invasive Species Education)
Oregon Sea Grant Extension
tania.siemens@oregonstate.edu
541-914-0701
Tania Siemens
Oct. 27, 2010, 3:05 a.m.