Natural History Wanderings

Sahara Mustard (Brassica tournefortii) has been in the news, or at least the wildflower news a lot this year.  It is an invasive alien mustard that easily spreads in sandy habitats.  It competes (often extremely successfully) with our native plants of limited water.  The example many are aware of is Henderson Canyon in Anza Borrego State Park where it was taking over a popular wildflower site.  Much of it was pulled out by volunteers at that site, but it may be a losing battle as Sahara Mustard is rapidly expanding over large areas.  For more information on what it is and how it is a threat you can read this article from the desert museum: http://www.desertmuseum.org/invaders/invaders_saharamustard.htm