Crews take ax to invasive weeds in Tahoe marsh
The invasive mullein weed is scattered about the Upper Truckee Marsh. Photo/Kathryn Reed
By Kathryn Reed
Long stalks lay lifeless on the ground; others are being carted away to be disposed off-site.
Mullein looks pretty, with stalks that can grow to 10 feet, and yellow flowers blooming every other year.
The problem is mullein is a weed – and an invasive one.
“They take resources away from plants that are indigenous,” Sarah Werick, land steward with the California Tahoe Conservancy, told Lake Tahoe News.
She was out at the Upper Truckee Marsh last month leading a crew that was removing the weed.
Where the plant is in its lifecycle determines how the agency handles it. What are left behind are portions of the plant that don’t have seeds. Just a little moisture and the mullein will reproduce. That is why the sections with seeds are removed from the area.
Mullein is scattered about this more than 400-acre section of the South Shore. Werick said the plant could take over a location – another reason to get rid of it.
Mullein can be allergenic, so some of the crewmembers have donned surgical masks to keep from inhaling anything that might make them ill.
As part of Werick’s job, she is always keeping an eye out for invasive plants.
“When we see a growth spurt, we come out and do a big weed removal,” she explained.
Also being removed on this particular day were thistles that are not native to the basin. However, there is indigenous thistle that remains untouched.
It takes a trained eye to know what is “good” vs. what is “bad,” which is why Werick discourages the public from pulling plants.
Invasive mullen weeds have come into my yard. Pull them out and get rid of them.They spread quickly!
Happy weedding. OLS
So as the climate changes, aren’t all species that are going to be adapting and populating new areas going be considered ‘invasive’? Let’s spend more money fighting the inevitable.
Since we are on this Mullen Lake Weed topic again, here is a reply I received from “League To Save Lake Tahoe”
Starting with my question and their response;
Me
Hello, I’m sure you are more then aware with Tahoe keys preparing to put in herbicide into their lagoons! I wanted to know your thoughts on that, and also would you find it appropriate to demand that close off the two Tahoe Key’s lake entrances with sand bars at the marina and west lake entrances? If anything if this herbicide does go through, should they not wait till the end of October so it will sit through winter with the lake entrances closed off from toxic spillage into Lake Tahoe?
Thank you
Dear Concerned Citizen,
Thank you for contacting the League to Save Lake Tahoe with your concerns regarding the Tahoe Keys Draft Integrated Weed Management Plan.
The issue of aquatic invasive species and herbicide as a potential tool for control is deeply important to Lake Tahoe and must be scrutinized carefully. League staff have been engaged in these discussions for two years with all parties: the public, our members, the Tahoe Keys Property Owners Association, the regulatory agencies, and science experts. The Tahoe Keys Integrated Weed Management Plan is still in draft form and has not yet been finalized or submitted to the public regulatory agency, which will be the Lahontan Regional Water Quality Control Board. We are holding judgement until we see a final proposal and will proceed diligently through the public process, which will begin once the proposal is submitted to Lahontan.
If TKPOA’s plan is accepted by Lahontan, it would then become the subject of an environmental review process that will last for a year or more, and that must consider a range of alternatives. We encourage you to bring suggestions such as yours to the process, and we also appreciate you sharing your suggestion with us.
The League will remain deeply engaged in this process. We welcome any information you would like to share on this issue to help inform our work and ensure that the outcome is in the best interest of the Lake – please feel free to send me any additional information you feel we should consider.
Thank you again for contacting the League and for your concern for the health of Lake Tahoe.
Regards,
Zack Bradford
Natural Resources Manager
League to Save Lake Tahoe
2608 Lake Tahoe Boulevard
South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150
P 530.541.5388 · F 530.541.5454
Mullen and Bull thistle are multiplying rapidly and need to be removed. The title invasive means just that and the more it propagates the more difficult to eradicate.
Invasive doesn’t necessarily mean “invasive.” This week the Western Regional Panel on Aquatic Nuisance Species had their annual meeting in South Lake Tahoe. The conference brought together 80 invasive species managers from all of the states and provinces west of the Rockies. The liveliest and most contentious session at the conference was a group discussion on: “When is a species invasive?”
The AIS managers could not improve upon the official federal definition that has been in place since 1996: “An invasive animal or plant is one that is non-native to the ecosystem, and whose introduction causes economic or environmental harm or harm to human health.” Other than being non-native, mullein doesn’t meet the federal definition.
That is not to say that if volunteers want to spend their time harvesting it on public land that they shouldn’t be allowed to do so. But when TRPA and other public agencies spend resources and money to harvest non-harmful aquatic weeds in the wetlands and the lake, it is a misuse of public funds.
I like mullein. It is a beautiful, stately herb with great medicinal properties. The grass in your yard is ‘not indigenous’.
Blame the author Steve.
The person quoted didn’t say ‘invasive’. A weed is whatever plant a person doesn’t want around. And invasive does mean invasive.
-the duke
Is mullein indigenous? I thought it was brought up from somewhere. If it’s good eaten like some species of seaweed is, then hey, here’s a market, like crawdads!
I pulled up some mullen this morning, that would be the big ones that were blossoming. Lots of little ones around the yard as well. Yes they are pretty, but boy do they spread!I was told the Washoe used the leaves they picked as bandages for flesh wounds.Lots of free mullen around here if you want it!! OLS
Please stop poisoning plants and animals you consider invasive. Mother Nature will have her way. Things are always changing and evolving. I agree we need to do all we can to keep the lake clean but some things are done, with my tax dollars, that I consider unnecessary .
OLS. Looks like mullein was introduced to North America in the early 1800’s and was reported in California by 1876.
@Rock-early to late 1700’s, by my quick search. Mullein is a biennial plant…the little ones are first year nubbin’s. After wintering they will shoot their stalks which then flower…
Billy the mountain,As an unofficial spokesperson, I’ll say Flo and Eddie say hello!
Thanks for bringing up an oldie and goody Zappa song.
Don’t smoke mullen weeds just pull them up and get rid of them and don’t use poison on weeds!!
Yours truly, OLS
Well – we finally get to see something GOOD the Tahoe Conservancy is doing – too all their other self preservation tactics vastly outweigh this small deed.