UC Weed Science (weed control, management, ecology, and minutia)

I recently attended a Santa Ana River - Orange County Weed Management Area (SAROCWMA) meeting and there was the opportunity for participants to update the group about new invasive plants as well as give an update on management of these and others.

Last week during California Invasive Species Action Week (June 2 June 10), we highlighted several pests, but there are many more invasive species out there. Now that you know about them, share your knowledge of invasive species with others.

As a commodity-based CE Advisor with a background in entomology, weed science is not a familiar subject to me, especially weed identification.

A new UC Cooperative Extension podcast that focuses on growing orchard crops in the San Joaquin and Sacramento valleys is now available free at http://growingthevalleypodcast.com, Apple iTunes and Google Play Music.

No, I'm not talking about ticks or fleas on your dog. Actually, I'm talking about a parasitic weed that lives by attaching itself to the roots of other plants. This parasite is broomrape, a plant that has no chlorophyll and lacks conspicuous leaves.