When Kathy Atherton sees the golden glow of tansy ragwort, she hones in for the kill.

B次元官网网址淚 pull it wherever I see it,B次元官网网址� she said of the invasive plant, which can be removed easily due to its shallow root system. B次元官网网址淭he roots usually arenB次元官网网址檛 substantial. If theyB次元官网网址檝e been cut with a mower, the roots get much stronger.B次元官网网址�

Around her home on La Bonne Road and up Liberty Drive in Metchosin, ragwort is getting harder to find, but it once flourished. B次元官网网址淚 have been pulling it for 12 to 15 years, just yanking it out whenever I see it.B次元官网网址�

Atherton hopes others take similar initiative and nip the problem in the bud before it becomes more pervasive, as has Scotch broom.

B次元官网网址淚 suddenly realized, if we let this plant keep growing itB次元官网网址檒l just keep moving. ItB次元官网网址檚 a survivor,B次元官网网址� she said.

The tansy ragwort is more often found in rural areas, such as Metchosin, East Sooke, Sooke and on the Saanich Peninsula.

B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檝e seen masses of it on the Malahat,B次元官网网址� Atherton said.

She encourages volunteers in Metchosin to join Tackle Tansy Ragwort Day, July 28. People can participate by pulling the plant on their own properties or heading out to public areas such as the Galloping Goose Trail.

B次元官网网址淲e are having this day to raise peopleB次元官网网址檚 awareness of it.B次元官网网址�

The plant can be poisonous if eaten by cattle, horses or goats. While the animals wouldnB次元官网网址檛 instinctively eat it, the plant can get mixed into hay fields and accidentally be fed to animals.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 cumulative and the toxicity builds up over time,B次元官网网址� Atherton said.

On the other hand, sheep can tolerate the plant to some extent and can be used as a biological control to keep the plantB次元官网网址檚 spread in check.

As well, cinnabar moths have been brought in from Europe to help control the plant. They eat the flowers and work their way down the plant.

B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檝e seen patches of ragwort that donB次元官网网址檛 have cinnabar moths on them and I am considering bringing some from other plants,B次元官网网址� Atherton said. B次元官网网址淭ansy ragwort doesnB次元官网网址檛 recognize borders.B次元官网网址�

To volunteer to pull ragwort in a specific area or to partner up with someone else on July 28, call Atherton at 250-474-1016.

charla@goldstreamgazette.com