Loudoun County Recognizes Volunteer Efforts

Speaking of invasives, I am excited to note that the Weed Batallion at Banshee Reeks Nature Preserve, aka "the Wee Bees" was awarded the "Outstanding Volunteer Project" award from the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors. This team of Virginia Master Naturalist volunteers has contributed over 1500 hours to managing invasive plants at the nature preserve and educating other people about invasive species issues. Great job, team!

A New Virginia Invader: Wavyleaf Basketgrass

As if Virginia's list of invasive plants that can harm native communities and ecosystems were not long enough, we have a new species of concern. Wavyleaf basketgrass (Oplismenus hirtellus ssp. undulatifolius) was first found in North America in Maryland and, as of 2008, has spread to Virginia. Unlike some invasive plant species, this species seems to be able to invade healthy, intact forests, not just disturbed areas. Like Japanese stilt-grass (Microstegium vimineum), wavyleaf basketgrass creates a green "carpet" on the forest floor, outcompeting native plants. This plant has been documented in Shenandoah National Park, The Nature Conservancy's Fraser Preserve, and another nature preserve in Fauquier County.

On a positive note, this is an early detection, so there is hope that we can prevent this species from becoming widespread and detrimental in Virginia. There has been some success at eradication at certain sites in Maryland.

Virginia Master Naturalists are asked to familiarize themselves with this species and report any new observations of it in the state. Check out the fact sheet posted at http://www.virginiamasternaturalist.org/downloads/wlbg_fact_sheet.pdf. Note that it is a subspecies and that there are native species of basketgrass that are not similarly invasive.