A Natural Areas Inventory of the - Kansas Natural Heritage Inventory ...

purposely planted in the late 19 th century in northeast Kansas for livestock fencing. It often
invades prairies, savannas, and open forests with a history of grazing. It is found in open areas
on a variety of soils. It is often found in pastures and hedgerows but also along riverbanks and in
disturbed forests. It does not tolerate heavy shade well, and will not reproduce under those
conditions. Control can be achieved by cutting and/or burning. Cutting works best during the
summer months. Burning will keep young plants from establishing but older trees may be
resistant to fire.
Osage-orange is not currently a problem at FLMR (but see general considerations for exotic trees
and shrubs).
Melilotus spp (Fabaceae; M. albus (white sweet-clover) and M. officinalis (yellow sweetclover))
Melilotus spp. are native to the Mediterranean area through central Europe to Tibet and were
reported as early as 1664 in North America. These biennial legumes have been used in the
production of honey, as wildlife cover, as a forage crop and as a soil builder. They can easily
invade open habitats and will remain a problem for managers because of continued planting due
to their economic importance. They are found on roadsides, abandoned fields, pastures and other
open habitats such as prairies. They can grow in cold and hot climates in full sun to partial
shade. Light infestations can be controlled by hand-pulling stems in late fall or early spring.
Large colonies can be cut close to the ground after the leaves on the lower stem die but before
seeds form. Prescribed burning with an April burn the first year and May burn the following year
can be effective.
White sweet-clover and yellow sweet-clover are not thought to be a major threat to native
biodiversity at FLMR at this time. These species are generally associated with disturbed habitats
(roadsides, abandoned fields, construction areas), and can become abundant in native prairie
where there has been disturbance. They can appear during the early years of prairie restorations,
but in successful restorations will generally not persist as a problem species. These species are
often relicts of past agricultural plantings and, because of their potential to interfere with native
and restored areas, should not be planted in the future. Extreme care must be exercised in
controlling these species where they occur within or near native communities so as not to damage
non-target species.
Phalaris arundinacea (Poaceae; reed canary grass)
Native to the temperate regions of Europe, Asia, and North America, reed canary grass is a large,
coarse, perennial grass that can grow to 2 m tall. Planted widely for forage and erosion control, it
poses a threat to natural wetlands and marshes due to its aggressiveness, hardiness, and rapid
growth. It can replace native wet prairie and wetland species several years after establishment. It
is found in a variety of wetlands including stream banks, swales, fens, wet meadows, wet
prairies, and marshes. Prescribed fire in the form of repeated late fall or spring burns over
several years can be an effective control especially in areas where native species are present or in
the seed bank. Fire may not be effective in dense monocultures of this species. Hand removal
may be feasible in small stands. Mowing is probably not effective.
NATURAL AREAS INVENTORY OF FT. LEAVENWORTH II 196