The past four years of gardening here at the lake have included many hours of intense, invasive plant removal. Between the Stilt Grass, the Bittersweet, the Russian and Autumn Olive, and brambles, it has seemed like an all out war.
The amazing thing is, as I remove these bad guys, the native wildflowers appear like magic. It is as if they are thanking me for giving them back their land and growing space. One of the best examples has been a large patch of Trilliums that was hidden under a massive amount of brambles.
Just a few days a go, I was standing on the pavilion down by the lake looking out over an area that has been the site of a massive clean up. This area along the lake was so overgrown that we could hardly walk along the edge. We wanted an area for the kids to stand on the shore and skip rocks and fish as I had done as a youngster. We have a wonderful little outcropping with three very large rocks that the kids love so play on and it had been invaded by weeds. But now all that area is clean.
This was three years ago and we still have to battle the young sprouts of Autumn Olive and bittersweet every spring. Thus my plans of seeding wild flowers and bulbs in this area has not yet come to fruition.
However, sometimes things work out for the best and this is the case for this area. We are able to control the invasive plants and the grassy area (this is a loose term as it is mostly Ajuga, Pussy-toes, and wild grasses) allows us to pick up the luscious droppings from the prolific persimmon tree. Plus, it has provided a wonderful space for the kids to run and play by the lake. Then again as if by magic I began to notice the overabundance of Yucca. It always amazes me that one little change can cause you to see a whole scene differently and notice what has always been there.
Yucca is everywhere on this property. All amongst the trees by the lake, in the center wild flower garden, down by the property by the highway. I got on a website that stated that the only Yucca found in Indiana has been in Johnson CO., one county over. However, in recent years it has been used more by the nursery trade for landscape plantings.
But why is it all over this property? This question sent me in to a deep deep dive on Yucca.
Yucca is not a native to Indiana.Wikipedia states that Yucca is native to the Southeastern United States. But also states that it has adapted to an "equally vast range of climate and ecological conditions". Obviously it enjoys my little piece of Brown County, Indiana.
My mind instantly was sent back to the many camping trips we took out west and in every state, except Alaska, Hawaii and North Dakota. All six kids, plus grandma Goldie, in a wood sided station wagon. They were memorable trips to say the least. The stuff crazy movies about vacations are made from, right? I fondly remember my father trying to pick up a Teddy Bear Cactus to bring home. Yeah, that did not go well and ended up in an emergency room run. So perhaps the Teddy Bear Cactus was not the only bit of vegetation he attempted to nap.
Therefore that is my story and explanation as to the Yucca invasion at the Lake. I am sticking to it as I surmise that the Yucca was quite possibly snagged on one of our Stoner Family Adventures. Dad truly loved the southwest and all it's vegetation.
However they got here, they are thriving. Plus they look amazing growing in the brown county stone rocks along the lake and all the other areas that they seem to love. During the summer the plant sends out long stocks that reach up into the air with beautiful white blooms, which are accompanied with a very subtle scent.
This shrub stays evergreen during the winter and prefers full sun. It is considered a drought-tolerant plant and by some accounts, once established can live for over 20 years. Well, I am sure more than a few of these yuccas have been here for over 20 years, since this property has been in my family for over 60 years and I was in grade school during many of our adventures out west.
During this deep dive, I discovered a very interesting fact of nature. It turns out that Yucca has a mutualistic relationship with a moth. The Yucca Moth. One can not exist with our the other. Somehow they have managed to follow the Yucca and it has moved outside its range. It is very fascinating story, and too detailed for me to try and summarize for this blog. I have attached the links to two separate articles that share information detailing this fascinating relationship.
YUCCA MOTHS( Tegeticula sp.)
https://www.fs.usda.gov/wildflowers/pollinators/pollinator-of-the-month/yucca_moths.shtml
YUCCA MOTHS
https://www.nwf.org/Educational-Resources/Wildlife-Guide/Invertebrates/Yucca-Moths
In the spring, I will look for this moth. and pass along any pictures. I am sure it is here as the Yucca is a mainstay in my landscape. Thanks Dad.
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