A weekly report prepared by the staff of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA). If you require further information, regarding this report, call the Elora Resource Centre at 519-846-0941. Office hours: 8:30am to 4:30pm. For technical information, call the Agricultural Information Contact Centre at 1-877-424-1300 or visit the OMAFRA website: www.ontario.ca/omafra.
DOG STRANGLING VINE
An unwanted invader – Dog Strangling Vine – has been now found established in Wellington County.
This plant is a perennial in the Milkweed family that grows aggressively on roadsides, woodlots, ravines, fence lines and waste areas, out-competing other plants to establish a near impenetrable carpet of vegetation that dies back to the ground at the end of each year.
It contains enough toxins to be poisonous to grazing livestock and wildlife.
It appears as a dark green plant with opposite, oval to oblong leaves with a pointed tip growing erect before leaning over and entwining with another plant to start the carpet effect.
The flower is dark maroon with five petals forming a small star that matures into a long slender smooth pod containing a large number of seeds (that are similar in appearance to the Milkweed seed) that will be dispersed by the wind.
The roots are fibrous, fine and spreading, bearing buds that can produce several shoots. Pulling to eliminate the plant and digging must remove all the roots or it will regrow.
Another negative to this plant is that it attracts monarch butterflies to lay their eggs on it, but the emerging worms are unable to feed on this plant and so perish.
Do not let this plant establish on your property.
Copies of a factsheet about this plant are available at OMAFRA – Elora Resource Centre 519-846-0941 or www.invadingspecies.com or contact the Invading Species Hotline 1-800-563-7711.
by John Benham, weed inspector
COMING EVENTS
Aug. 18 to Sept. 4 – CNE (Canadian National Exhibition). For more information, call Paula Ellis at 416-263-3835, email pellis@theex.com or visit theex.com.
Aug. 22 to 23 – The Costs and Consequences of Soil Degradation – Delta Hotel, Guelph. For more information and to register, visit soilcc.ca/soilsummit/2017 or call 204-792-2424.
Aug. 25 to 26 – Grand River Fair and Exhibition (Woolwich Agricultural Society). For more information, call Dorothy Key at 519-846-8879, email info@grandriverfair.com or visit grandriveragsociety.com.
Aug. 25 to 27 – Markdale Fair (Markdale Agricultural Society). For more information, call Barb Caswell at 519-830-7314, email markdaleagsociety@live.ca or visit markdalefair.ca.
Aug. 25 to 27 – Palmerston Fair (Palmerston Agricultural Society). For more information, email Angela Schneider at a-schneid@hotmail.com.
Aug. 26 to 28 – Teeswater Fair (Teeswater Agricultural Society). For more information, call Kathie Emke at 519-357-7860, email teeswaterfair@gmail.com or visit teeswaterfair.org.
Sept. 1 to 3 – Kincardine Fair (Kincardine Agricultural Society). For more information, call 519-396-3393, email whiter@hurontel.on.ca or visit kincardineagsocietyfallfair.com.
