Tumbleweed and careless weed are here to stay and though careless weed is an Arizona native (Amaranthus palmeri) it certainly appears, at least to me, that it has become more prolific and widespread. But really it is the introduced exotic grasses that make me grumpiest. Many of the introduced grasses were thought of as beneficial…think Lehmann lovegrass (Eragrostis lehmanniana)… or showy in an urban landscape…think green fountain grass (Pennisetum setaceum). I mean, Yikes!!! Anyway, the featured varmint in this show is Natal grass or Melinis repens, (formerly Rhynchelytrum roseum or sometimes R. repens, but always, oh dear.)
In the back of many seed catalogs you can find a section on ornamental grasses. I think that section should be called “invasive varmints”. But listen, go native my friends, because we don’t need anymore non-native grasses in the desert, the grassland or the sky islands of the borderlands.
The photos are mine and of natal grass out in the Galiuro Mountains.
The Dainty Sulfur (Nathalis iole) flies year round all over Arizona, especially on mild days. The western pygmy blue (Brefidium exile) is the smallest...
Oh my goodness, there are beetles, bees and moths that visit the open flowers of Calylophus harwegii from late afternoon and through the night....
Santa Rita Acacia or Mariosousa millefolia is found in the borderlands of Arizona and Sonora between 3,000 and 5,000 ft. Hey, two different countries...
