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by Kevin Strauss
When we hear the word “alien,” thoughts often turn to “little green men” or UFO's, but biologically speaking, an alien species is one that isn't native to a region. Usually biologists draw the line at plants that weren't native to this area before European settlement in the 1800's. It is easy to spot these non-native plants because they make up most of the flowers on roadsides right now. Three of our most prolific alien flowers are ox-eye daisy, common mullen and orange hawkweed.
Ox-eye daisy (Leucanthemum vulgare)
How this daisy got it's common name isn't clear, since oxen don't have bright yellow eyes. The common name “daisy” or “day's eye” seems to fit it better, reminding us of the sun as the “day's eye.” But the actual term day's eye probably comes from England , where daisies close during the night and open their “eyes” during the day.
The scientific name for this flower means “common white flower” which seems appropriate, given the fields of ox-eye daisies in some areas. This might have been one of the earliest non-native flowers to arrive on our shores. At least one account mentions a John Winthrop, Jr., who brought garden and flower seeds (including ox-eye daisy) from London and planted them in the Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1632.
In Europe , farmers may not love these rapidly-spreading flower, but others like the flower because of the folk belief that a bundle of ox-eye daisies would keep lightning from striking houses or barns.
Ox-eye daisies, like many successful plants, reproduces both sexually (though seeds) and vegetatively (through roots). The flower head produces hundreds of seeds that blow in the wind. It also sends out rhizomes, or underground stems, that will sprout into clone flowers. This flower can tolerate poor soil and mowing or stomping on them only encourages them to put more energy into their roots, leading to more daisies next year. These 12-36 inch tall flowers bloom from early June to mid-August.
King Devil (Hieracium piloselloides) and Orange Hawkweed (Hieracium aurantiacum)
Hawkweeds like king devil and orange hawkweed are blooming now as well. These 12-24 inch tall plants color our roadsides with yellow and orange flowers. Like most weeds, these European flowers have survived and thrived on dry roadsides and waste areas. Hawkweeds, with their “paintbrush” texture gets common names like “devil's paintbrush, fairy paintbrush and artist brush.” The genus name “Hieracium” comes form the Greek term for hawk. Some ancient naturalists told stories of hawks rubbing these flowers on their eyes to give them clear vision. So far, optometrists haven't explored this medical option. You can see hawkweeds from June through August in the region.
Roadsides are a great place to scout for alien flowers. Look for tall common mullen plants with their 3-7 foot tall stalks and yellow flowers from July to September. Watch for 1-3 foot tall umbrella-shaped cluster of white flowers and aromatic feathery leaves from the common yarrow.
While some ecological purists and green-lawn advocates look down on these non-native “weeds” but I have to appreciate the energy and downright “toughness” of these survivors. What's more, they are so prolific that that they are the perfect flowers for children to pick in bouquets for their parents.
The Ely Timberjay
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