The 21st Century Oxalis pes-caprae
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The 21st Century Oxalis pes-caprae
I think that something must be done to contol the active and rapid spread of Tropaeolum majus (Nasturtium) in our country before it is too late andwe would have the Oxalis pes-caprae effect in few decades time in our valleys. Fortunately it is not prone to spread on garigues.
I seen one potted-plant in a farmhouse above this valley (was it the source?) of M'Forn. When I arrived down the valley bed, it was full of Nasturtium. I walked 1km along and could still see scattered plants here and there.
The pics speaks for themselves.
The seeds are able to float in water and germinates readily a soon as they touch ground when the temp gets warmer (typ February).
Hope there are no more fans of this plant regarding its spread in valleys.
I seen one potted-plant in a farmhouse above this valley (was it the source?) of M'Forn. When I arrived down the valley bed, it was full of Nasturtium. I walked 1km along and could still see scattered plants here and there.
The pics speaks for themselves.
The seeds are able to float in water and germinates readily a soon as they touch ground when the temp gets warmer (typ February).
Hope there are no more fans of this plant regarding its spread in valleys.
- Attachments
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- This stretch was 120m long and up to 1km, there were scatters plant of Nasturtium.
- NastutiumSpread3.JPG (465.46 KiB) Viewed 45599 times
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- The Maltese flora is below
- NastutiumSpread2.JPG (265.71 KiB) Viewed 45600 times
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- Large populations of Tropaeolum majus with their large umprella like leaves.
- NastutiumSpread1.JPG (209.35 KiB) Viewed 45600 times
That's a lot certainly. However (not to try to make a point or anything) again this seems to be very much taking over disturbed land, again, land in close proximity to human activities which therefore suppress the natural vegetation and allow such species to multiply.
Let's hope so anyway. Consolation, it is easy to control this, no perennial root structures and oftentimes a single plant covers a large area so the problem is smaller than it appears to be.
RB
Let's hope so anyway. Consolation, it is easy to control this, no perennial root structures and oftentimes a single plant covers a large area so the problem is smaller than it appears to be.
RB
Yes, it may need labour work for a week, for 3-5 consecutive years in case some seeds are still viable. The fact it does not form bulbs is a good factor compared to Oxalis.
What worries me was not the populations at that putrid water in the 3rd photo (pollution in action
) but the fact that it is carried away into the heart of the countryside (where the valley was smaller, a humble spring I would say) 1km or so from the source and would take over there and propgate further in.
Well I posted this to make authoriteis aware what's happening in certain valleys perhaps they deem tha action should be taken.
What worries me was not the populations at that putrid water in the 3rd photo (pollution in action

Well I posted this to make authoriteis aware what's happening in certain valleys perhaps they deem tha action should be taken.
- Conchiolin
- Veteran member
- Posts: 222
- Joined: Sat Mar 10, 2007 9:20 am
- Location: Malta
I suppose that makes for cheaper maintenance, but shows a distinct lack of foresight or understanding of the environment.
Here's an interesting link - again from Wikipedia -
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Invasive_plant
Environment nil: Tropaeolum 10 !
g
Here's an interesting link - again from Wikipedia -
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Invasive_plant
Environment nil: Tropaeolum 10 !

g