July 24, 2013
Wednesday

Thanks to the Ketchikan Daily News for an article on invasive plants. However, they neglected to mention a highly toxic weed, tansy ragwort, that spreads like wildfire. The tall yellow flowers radiate from terminal clusters, and the leaves are deeply cut.It grows alongside another invasive that has 5 star shaped petals with thin leaves, looking similar but not toxic.

For the past 5 years I have been pulling tansy ragwort out by the roots. It is especially noticeable aroung Ward Cove and spreads further each year. Nathan and Dorica Jackson have been pulling the plants even longer but the plants spread beyond our ability to pick. We now are concentrating on the south end of town where tansy has taken hold but not spread as much. Because of its toxicity, we wear gloves, long shirts and pants. It's a plant to be taken seriously.

Formerly, we were able to take sacks to the dump for incineration but the dump is no longer accepting invasive plants. That means we must find a suitable place to incinerate; if they are not burned millions of seeds will quickly germinate .

The area around Ward Cove is completely infested with tansy and will require substantial effort if this scourge is to be eliminated. Hopefully, people on the north end will volunteer to work together. The amount of tansy in that area would undoubtedly fill a dump truck, possibly two, and with each passing year, the plants increase.

In agricultural areas of Idaho and other western states, tansy is recognized as a toxic weed that kills livestock. Property owners are required to eliminate the plant or pay $15.00 for EACH plant. The toxicity of the plant is recognized elsewhere, whereas many locals think of it as a pretty yellow plant.

If anyone is willing to be part of a work group to eliminate tansy on the north end, you can call me at 254 0914 or sign up on Sitnews and donate a few hours, carefully stuffing plants into plastic bags that must be incinerated. Please act soon before the plants spread seeds for the summer of 2014.

Sincerely,

Victoria McDonald
Ketchikan, Alaska

About: "A local who is concerned about toxic invasive tansy ragwort"

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