Just a reminder to folks sending, receiving, and growing plants from around the world; some of these can escape and create significant environmental damage. As a botanist, I understand and appreciate growing all kinds of interesting plants, but it’s good to be careful. I regularly collect and purchase seeds and make it a point to not share species that have the potential to become problems. I’m currently in the process of eliminating all the Euphorbia mellifera from my new home in coastal Northern California. This an interesting large shrub from Madeira and the Canary Islands planted by the previous owner. Unfortunately, it has spread throughout my 0.8 acre property and into the neighbors’ yards. It has great potential to spread into the coastal redwood forest as well, so eliminating every single one is my current goal. Fortunately, the fruits do not seem to be spread by birds, the seeds appear to have limited dispersal range, and the shrubs are relatively easy to dig out. I have no idea how long the seed lasts in the seed bank, so I’ll try to be on top of things and eliminate any new seedlings encountered. Unlike the weedy annual euphorias, this species appears to take some time before it flowers; thus, It’s fairly easy to exterminate. Other non-native invasives slated for removal on my property, and elsewhere in this part of California, include Cotoneaster, English ivy, Himalayan blackberry, and Ilex. Fortunately, there’s no Cape ivy (Delairea odorata) or Pampas grass, which are much harder to eliminate and serious problems in coastal California plant communities. All these were introduced as ornamental plants. The Himalayan Blackberries do produce really tasty fruit, but the canes have gnarly thorns and can quickly get out of hand. I’ll be growing more well-behaved varieties. > > > Today's Topics: > > 1. Re: Fresh seeds (Lee Poulsen) > > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > > Message: 1 > Date: Thu, 11 Dec 2025 09:47:45 -0800 > From: Lee Poulsen <wpoulsen@pacbell.net> > To: Pacific Bulb Society <pbs@lists.pacificbulbsociety.net> > Subject: Re: [pbs] Fresh seeds > ……….. As far as I can tell, in the case of some new highly desirable > species, everyone has resorted to slipping a few into a card or letter in a > regular first class envelope (which doesn?t work for recalcitrant seeds), > since letters still don?t have to be inspected or have a permit or > anything. Not what I think the authorities intended when they created all > these new rules and regulations!] > > --Lee Poulsen > San Gabriel Valley, California, USA - USDA Zone 10a > Latitude 34?N, Altitude 340 ft/100 m > _______________________________________________ pbs mailing list pbs@lists.pacificbulbsociety.net https://lists.pacificbulbsociety.net/cgi-bin/… Unsubscribe: <mailto:pbs-unsubscribe@lists.pacificbulbsociety.net> PBS Forum https://…