Downright Dangerous

Cows won't eat it, sheep won't eat it, even goats won't eat it. If a goat won't eat it, you know something's wrong. I'm talking about smut-grass, a stubborn and invasive perennial bunch grass originating from tropical Asia that has found its way into pastures across the United States. Smut-grass didn't appear over night, farmers and ranchers have been fighting the troublesome "weed" for nearly fifty years, and this invasive species has plenty of other company. It seems obvious why farmers and ranchers should be concerned about invasive plants, or weeds; invasive plant species crowd out native and desirable plants while robbing the area of fertilizer and water. But these invaders aren't just a farming problem. For anyone that enjoys the great outdoors, whether biking, hiking, camping, or fishing, invasive plants not indigenous to the area can make these activities highly unpleasant by taking over campsites, causing severe dermatitis, a possibility of poisoning, or just making it darned hard to navigate around. Even with my great love of plants I recognize that not all plants are pleasing or desirable, in fact, some of them can be downright dangerous.