UC Weed Science

A drive around parts of the San Joaquin Valley revealed some fields with Palmer amaranth (Amaranthus palmeri) rising above the crop canopy (See image below).

[From the Spring issue of the UC IPM Retail Nursery & Garden Center News and the Pests in the Urban Landscape blog] I hate crabgrass! is a common lament I've heard from residents during my 35 years in UC Weed Science.

Don't miss UC Cooperative Extension Weed Specialist emeritus Clyde Elmore's photo exhibit The Great Outdoors. If you attend Weed Day 2018 (July 12, 2018) you'll get a chance to see the exhibit. The Great Outdoors July 3-Aug.

According to the CalFlora website (http://www.calflora.org/), 21 species of amaranths occur (to some extent) in California. While many are non-native, a few, including prostrate pigweed (Amaranthus blitoides) and Palmer amaranth (Amaranthus palmeri), are indigenous.

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.