Invasive species – plants that are not indigenous to the area and harm humans, wildlife and other native plants – are having a boom year here in Morongo Basin.
Good news – all that rain and random snow has enabled desert blooms to pop. Bad news – the precipitation has done the same for invasive plants, and while the human eye may love green carpeting on the desert floor, it means less water for native plants and dangerous fuel for wildfires. These invaders are upsetting the natural ecosystem of our desert.
Frequent invaders include annual grasses (Red brome, Cheatgrass, Schismus) from the Mediterranean region. Cheatgrass is highly flammable and spreads easily. Unwittingly, the grass hitches a ride on our clothing and shoes. In Joshua Tree National Park (JTNP), Cheatgrass can often be founding surrounding Joshua trees which increases the risk of fire damage.
Fountain grass, another invasive, is an ornamental plant commonly sold in nurseries and easily dispersed by wind. Though the weed has appeared in many canyons in the Park, they have had help from Lake Mead’s Invasive Plant Management Team (IPMT) to tackle this.
While riding the tram up San Jacinto from Palm Springs, JTNP Vegetation Branch Chief Jay Goodwin has observed Fountain grass on the steep rocky hillside. “The near cliff to the north of the terminal is dotted with this plant and I cannot see any way to treat an infestation like this except from the air (helicopter, drone) with targeted spot spraying herbicide,” said Goodwin.
But if there is a headliner of weeds, it is definitely the mustards – primarily Sahara mustard, London Rocket and Eastern Rocket. The Park has reported “extensive infestations” of Sahara mustard and while this noxious weed is fairly low density it forms large monocultures that exclude other species, essentially a plant bully.
The presence of Sorghum and Millet are proving troublesome too.
Park management says they have been successful at reducing the weeds at west entrance but have seen new populations spring up. Invasive Plant Technician Yoselyn Ayala, who works with the Great Basin Institute at JTNP, warns that these invasive weeds often arrive via bird seed. “It is important that the public research what kind of seeds they are buying and feeding to birds in the area since that is believed to be the vector for this invasive in the Park,” said Ayala.
Goodwin stated that though it is illegal to spread birdseed in the Park, it is occurring more frequently. He suggests baking or microwaving the seed as this will kill the embryo and prevent a weed infestation.
Meanwhile, JTNP management said that Tamarisk (saltcedar) plants are currently at maintenance levels, and they’ve managed to protect water sources from encroachment.
How to help:
- When finishing a hike, pick seeds off clothing and backpacks, and put in trash.
- If you spot invasive weeds on your property, pull them by the roots! Do NOT rake them as this will further spreads the seeds.
- When buying birdseed, make sure it does not include Sorghum or Millet. And if you already did, bake the seed mix at 300F for 15 minutes or microwave on high for one minute before putting out for the birds.
