From: "Roger Peffer" <rpeffer at ctc.ctc.edu>
To: tweeters at u.washington.edu
Subject: Re: The Great Purple Loosestrife Pull has begun

In message <9506051935.AA18966 at axys69.nwest.mccaw.com> writes:
> Mike wrote:
>
> > Stuart, where does one put the loosestrife once pulled? Does CUH have a
> > spot for it? Or is each puller responsible for disposal (a bad idea)?

I thought (sometimes I get in trouble for doing that) I read somewhere that PL
also reproduces via shoots along its roots. Could someone report on this??? I
roots. Are there any natural diseases or parasites to this obnoxious stuff?

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YEs, it spreads from the roots. Two European beetles are in field tests
in various parts of the country. The closest in the NW is near Corvallis
Oregon. Preliminary results are promising. One beetle attacks the plant
stem and roots, the other the seeds. If the beetles are found safe for
release they may control the plant. Pulling has little impact except for
the theraputic release on the puller. The plant will come back healthy and
thick the next year or two later. Cutting simply denies more seeds and
hence tends to control the spread by that means.

Steve Hallstrom