04 April 2009 - 16:31, Tinman said
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There was still adequate moisture in the soil, despite a dry March, to weed the grasslands effectively, so that’s what our experienced team of volunteers and staff did this month. These are probably the richest and most important areas on Mt D.

Here Ron expertly snags out the long tap root of the hairy dandelion:

The narrow-leaf mule’s ears (Wyethia angustifolia) are particularly spectacular right now:

Without doubt, though, the most dramatic bloom on the hill is Fritillaria affinis aka mission bells or checker lily:

The most visible problem are the patches of oxalis. This invasive produces small corms that snap off when you pull it, which seems to encourage regrowth. The only successful approach to oxalis is herbicides, but unfortunately the Natural Areas Program staff lack the budget and manpower to deal with these threatening patches right now.

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