From The Copy Desk: We spend much time on, or seeking, those small corners on cyberstreets where things are mostly text and there’s minimal click-bait and popups. Thusly, we have a plot for our furry protagonists.
The monster had grown for years deep in the raspberry thicket, Japanese knotweed - almost literally the plant from hell as it evolved in lava fields - and when Warren spotted it he knew they had to act fast. “Hey Marty we got trouble that needs spades,” Warren said.
“What are you bleating about, a bush,” Marty asked.
Warren, who has been researching invasive species, said, “Hardly, it’s Japanese knotweed, but there’s only one big one that I see, but there’s probably more.”
With that, The Boys headed out and chopped down the 6-foot stalks and very efficiently dug as much of the root they could find - bagging it all for trash day.
“I didn’t see any other plants, but I know we didn’t get all the root. It’s almost impossible - a few grams are enough for it to regrow,” Warren said. “We’ll have to watch this spot for years.”
Marty, who knew of Warren’s invasive research, figured he’d up on the hits - giant hogweed, European swallow-wart and purple loosestrife - but had he heard of the dark menace spotted overseas? “I think Sisyphus had it easy. There was only one rock, we got at least three invasive to battle and don’t forget the native poison ivy,” Marty said. “And now all the emerald ash borer-killed ash trees are falling in inconvenient places.
“Enough of our troubles, have you seen the report about black fungus growing in areas with lots of whiskey barrel houses,” Marty said, “apparently there’s so much ethanol in the air that it promotes this strain of fungus. They’ve begun to study it in Ireland.”
From The Copy Desk: While the Angels’ Share feeds fungi, we find mental nourishment at The Conversation, an ad free site of current events written by academics. Stay safe, be well. Love and lettuce.🥬
