The other day Julie took me to task for calling these delightful yellow flowers weeds rather than wildflowers. My definition of a weed is a non-native plant that spreads prolifically, displacing native plants. So by my definition I guess these are still weeds even though I love 'em. Fortunately they tend to colonise sunny roadsides rather than the bushland.
Words to walk with:
Here is an update with info from the Weeds Australia site:
Native to central and south-east United States of America ... In Western Australia it is a garden escapee along the roadside between Perth and Albany and it is known in the Blue Mountains in NSW. In Queensland it was first recorded as naturalised in Kingaroy in 1944 and is currently spreading as a roadside weed from Tin Can Bay to the NSW border. It is also abundant in the Stanthorpe district and has the potential to become a major ground cover weed in forested areas in coastal and sub-coastal districts of Queensland and NSW.
Golly it is most attractive up-close, isn't it? I would tend to agree with your definition but, in this instance, how do you know this plant is non-native?
ReplyDeleteYes, what indeed is this plant?
ReplyDeleteJulie and Z, I have updated the post with some info from the Weeds Australia site which you will find interesting. As I was born and raised in the Kingaroy area where these flowers also flourish I guess I grew up knowing they were weeds and watched them spread further and further with each passing year (a bit like cane toads there seems to be no stopping their march across the country).
ReplyDeleteAs for other plants, I am not always sure, like today's post shows.
Waah ... blogger ate my comment. I will go back to my house-work.
ReplyDelete