Plant of the Week, by Jyneen Thatcher

April 27 , 2011 - Animal Damage

As a special request, I am asking you folks to be on the look out for two species, using your eyes to help assess whether they are invading our natural areas. Please let me know if you have observations to share on squill and lungwort.

Siberian quill

Siberian squill (Scilla siberica) is one of the "minor" bulbs, planted in gardens for early spring color and a naturalized look. It does provide a bit of color when most of the surroundings are gray, and it might provide some nectar to early insects as well as a few seeds for small critters. While its primary mode of expansion is the generation of bulblets, creating an enlargement of the colony patch, it also forms seed pods which are carried away by those critters. If these scattered seeds establish remotely, they could develop into a colony, with a density to crowd out the native flora. My observations in my yard are of relatively few plants popping up remotely, compared to the expansion of the colony, but those that do settle in capitalize on the disturbed soil in sunny, sheltered spots. If you have seen squill get established in a forested area, please let me know.

Lungwort

Lungwort (Pulmonaria [multiple species]) was introduced as a garden plant long ago. Its flower color, bloom time and preferred habitat leads to confusion with the native wildflower Virginia bluebells (Mertensia virginica). Both plants like moist woods, capturing the early spring sunlight, buds that are pink transitioning

to blue flowers at maturity. The flowers are bell-like, although the

Virginia bluebells

lungwort often face upwards. The seeds of both will result in spreading by creating new colonies. The native bluebells are true ephemerals, with the full plant going dormant and fading away by early summer. In contrast, the non-native lungwort persists, making

it a desireable shade garden plant. Based on how popular this plant (lungwort) is for adding a wildflower look to a shade garden/hosta bed, we need to ovserve whether it will invade into our native forests. Again, let me know if you have any feedback about its aggressiveness and likelihood for invasivenss.

Now for the feed-back on last week, which reinforced my disclaimer about not being a mammal expert:

First- rabbits aren't rodents, they're lagomorphs. They only act like rodents, chewing on our plants. The distinctive clean cut results from having both upper and lower incisers.

Second- deer don't have molars, but only lower incisors which rip and tear the tips of the stems as they bite on our shrubbery.

Third- the rodents aren't after the bark, they are after the nutrient-rich cambium layer below the bark. The bark just gets in the way.

Thanks to all who provided comments, making this an educational opportunity for me, too.

Learn about past Plants of the Week: