Elizabeth Barrette (ysabetwordsmith) wrote,
Elizabeth Barrette
ysabetwordsmith
  • Mood: frustrated

Genetically Engineered Eucalyptus

Apparently people haven't learned the lesson "Do not introduce foreign species" from dandelions, kudzu, killer bees, etc.  Now they're introducing genetically engineered eucalyptus to northern Florida.  The gengineering was done to make the trees frost-resistant.  In other words, they removed the primary safety catch that prevents the trees from spreading.  Not a good idea.
Tags: nature, news
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  • 42 comments
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ysabetwordsmith

*laugh*

ysabetwordsmith

June 9 2010, 20:02:18 UTC 11 years ago

>> What an earth did they want to introduce dandelions for?<<

Almost everyone has forgotten this, but dandelions are EDIBLE! The newest spring leaves are good for salad. Somewhat older greens can be cooked and eaten. The root can be boiled and eaten, or roasted and used as a coffee substitute/additive. The flowers can be made into dandelion wine, a popular folk beverage.

The problem is, dandelions are wind-riders. Those little parachute seeds go everywhere, and the plants are extremely opportunistic. Fortunately they can also be eaten by various wildlife, and the flowers are good sources of nectar, so it's not a total disaster. But as a general rule: Do not introduce anything that is pollinated and/or seed-dispersed by the wind. That means it is going to get everywhere. This is why GE corn is also an extremely bad idea, because now those GE genes are trespassing all over the world.
fayanora

Re: *laugh*

fayanora

June 10 2010, 00:28:38 UTC 11 years ago

Apparently kudzu are edible, too. Kudzu is a kind of Japanese pea.

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