African Rue, an Invasive Species

As I go through photo files of 2015 & 2016 travels, some plants resist identification.

African Rue (Peganum harmala) is one of these. It is an Invasive Species, apparently brought to the Deming, New Mexico area about 1930, for possible use as "Iranian red" dye.

The plant decided it liked the area so much, it started to spread, primarily through southern New Mexico, West Texas, Arizona, and parts of California and Oregon. 

It is toxic to humans and livestock, but livestock usually avoid it because of its bad taste, unless they are sick or starving. Apparently, studies of the toxic seeds by pharmaceutical companies suggest a possible use as an antidepressant.

Because of its characteristic deep taproots, it is difficult to uproot. And it is a prodigious producer of seeds.

Now that I have learned about this plant, the soft "frilly" leaves seem to be a good identifier, though Tumbleweed (aka Russian Thistle) - also invasive - sort of have "frilly" narrow leaves, too.

(This particular photo was taken in 2015 at the I-10 Allamore - Hot Wells exit, east of Sierra Blanca.  This exit is the one for the Eagle Mts.)

Resources:

Plants of Texas Rangelands

Texas Invasive Species Institute

Texas Cooperative Extension Service

White Sands National Monument 

As the Spirit Moves Me...

Not to make excuses for my absences,...

Years ago, I used to have the idea that, as I got older, "life would be simpler", as I would "have everything figured out".  Not a chance.

Anyway, when I began teaching at a junior college in 2001, I started leading short on-campus "field trips", in lieu of the class routines in my Geology and Environmental Science classes.  The particular campus on the Georgia Piedmont was adequate for Physical Geology (metamorphic rocks, erosion, soils, creek dynamics, geomorphology) and even better for Environmental Science.

I found that in order to more effectively retain student attention in the Environmental Science field trips, I needed to teach myself more about the local flora and fauna, as well as the "local" Exotic Species.  In other words, I needed to become more well-rounded in my science knowledge.  (This would be beneficial a few years later when my son entered Cub Scouts and then Boy Scouts.)

As college-level teaching and being an Assistant Scoutmaster are now - apparently - in my past, I still retain a strong drive to continually learn more about aspects of nature beyond "just Geology", i.e., when time permits, I spend as much time photographing wildflowers (and other living things) as I do photographing Geology.

Thus "as the spirit moves me", I plan to post random wildflower, bird, bug, mushroom,...photos, as these living things are important components of their respective ecosystems.  As plants form the "base" of every consequential ecosystem and local food web, the soil often influences the local plant community.  Common and scientific names will be included to facilitate further internet searches.