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A. Status of species that have been present in the past: Spurge gowth is very heavy <br />this yeaz due to higher soil moisture content. But bull, musk and other thistles (the tall <br />spiny ones with the large, gorgeous purple to magenta flowers) have also made a <br />showing this yeaz that has not been seen in a long, long time. Although these are <br />pesky weeds and best removed, they are not usually a serious problem. They tend to <br />grow in a habitat that is similaz to spurge, but they can tolerate more dryness than <br />spurge. Tamarix control begun last yeaz has been highly successful and some <br />additional cleanup will be done this yeaz along with monitoring to see that it does not <br />come back or spread downstream. <br />B. New species: Although certainly not a serious problem at this point, two <br />individuals of Dodder (Cuscuta sp. according to Weeds of the West and either <br />Cuscuta or more likely Grammica according to Weber's Colorado Flora) were found <br />on the roadside near the pit west of the main road. This pazasitic plant can become a <br />problem in alfalfa fields. Because there is a large azea containing alfalfa a ways north <br />of this location, it would probably be a good idea to keep this plant from spreading <br />any further. Because this plant derives its nutrition from other plants rather than <br />i photosynthesis it usually can only be controlled by physical removal. If it has become <br />established it may become persistent because it tends to have a very long seed <br />dormancy. It's typical life cycle involves germination of the seed which contains <br />enough food to support the seedling until it can find a host. At that point the plant <br />detaches from the ground and continues to live off of the nutrition derived from the <br />host plant, usually an herbaceous forb. Rarely is grass a host. It flowers abundantly <br />and produces a fairly high quantity of seed. This has never before been seen on the <br />i site. Its presence maybe more indicative of the wet winter than this site being a <br />suitable habitat. Dodder is not very drought toleranl and is most readily seen these <br />days in well watered city lawns. But if moisture is sufficient such as in drainageways, <br />it can become a pest in the native environment. Dodders aze a very serious problem <br />on crops in Eurasia but tend to be less serious in the western U.S. except on irrigated <br />crop land. Although identification of the exact species of Dodder before you is very <br />difficult, identifying Dodder is easy. It looks like a bunch of yellow twine tangled up <br />~ in the vegetation. <br />21! Weed status on lessee responsibility lands: Tamarix has mostly been eradicated with final <br />cleanup to occur this year. This will be followed by monitoring to make sure it does not come <br />back. This is also a good yeaz for spurge control which will be done later in the summer. <br />OTHER INFORMATION THAT MIGHT BE USEFUL FOR FUTURE REFERENCE: <br />Nothing of special note. <br />DESCRIPTION OF UNUSUAL CONDITIONS OR EVENTS: The only unusual event <br />involved some shallow scours created by Pancost (the former grazing lessee) during the winter. <br />These were created in the lazge wetland azea and appazently were done to provide water for the <br />cattle. Although quite alarming when first found, the rapid growth of the wetland rushes and bull <br />Status report for 2007 (July 15, 2007) Page 11 of 12 <br />