Please join us for a field day to discuss and view a new invasive rapidly spreading along the Ohio River. Japense chaff flower (Achyranthes japonica) is a perennial herbaceous plant that has rapidly spread throughout bottomland forests along the Ohio River. It has the potential to form dense stands and chaff flower seeds spreads easily via water or clinging to clothing or animal fur. This species is expanding its range at an alarming rate and has the potential to show up anywhere in southern Illinois, Missouri or Kentucky. Early detection is going to be a key component of managing this plant, so correct identification is a must. Attendees will learn to identify Japanese chaff flower, see first hand how it invades forestlands, and hear about the rapid spread of this species
Japanese Chaff Flower Field Day
When: September 8th, 9am to noon
Where: Barkhausen Wetlands Center, near Cypress, IL
Directions to the Wetlands Center: The Wetlands Center is located at 8885 State Rt. 37 South Cypress, IL 62923. It is 9 miles south of West Vienna on rte 37. Click Here to see a google map of the location.
We will meet at the Wetlands Center at 9am, view some slides and samples of chaff flower and then car pool out to Chestnut Hills Nature Preserve to tour an invaded site and learn the history of invasion. If time will allow, we may also view a site along the Cache River.
The River to River CWMA has developed a Species Alert for Chaff flower that can be view at: http://www.rtrcwma.org/
Additional pictures of chaff flower can be found at: http://www.invasive.org/
If you plan on attending, please RSVP to Chris Evans at the contact information below.
-- Christopher Evans, Coordinator
River to River Cooperative Weed Management Area
8588 Route 148
Marion, IL 62959
office- 618-998-5920
cell- 618-364-7261
RiverToRiver@gmail.com
http://www.rtrcwma.org/
