Waiting for warm-ish weather

Strolling around the yard produced no inspiration for photos today. A few shrubs and trees are starting to show signs of life, but not camera-worthy yet. So let's look at hammerhead worms!

This photo is courtesy of the Purdue University Landscape Report, as is the text below.

Hammerhead worms, sometimes called shovel-headed garden worms, are a type of land planarian, or flatworm. Flatworms are worm-like organisms that lack the segmentation of earthworms and have the ability to regenerate from parts and pieces. Hammerhead worms belong to a subset of planarians, the genus Bipalium; while there are a few native species of Bipalium, most are from tropical regions. It is believed that hammerhead worms have been present in North America for long time, preferring environments that stay warm and moist through most of the year. Hammerhead worms are named for their spade-shaped head and typically have bright colors with dark lines running the length of their bodies. They are often found in indoor spaces and greenhouses that are temperature controlled and maintain humid conditions. Hammerhead worms can also be found living under rocks, fallen trees, or anywhere that can maintain a high enough relative humidity. While some flatworms are able to live in drier conditions, Bipalium need moisture in order to survive.

Members of Bipalium are predatory, consuming invertebrates like earthworms, snails, slugs, and some soft-bodied insects. Once they capture a prey item, they envelop it in a mouth-like organ located on the underside of their bodies. The primary issue with hammerhead worms is the potential damage they can do by preying on beneficial organisms that maintain soil and plant health. Hammerhead worms, and all other planarians, lack a closed body plan that uses a one-way digest system. Once they eat something, it is digested and waste is excreted through that same mouth-like opening. Some members of Bipalium can also use a toxin called tetrodotoxin to subdue their prey; however, they only produce a small amount and lack a way to use it on a larger organism. While they are often confused for more dangerous species, the Bipalium in North America do not represent a human health concern. Just keep any pets or children away from them, and if found, use gloves if you’re forced to handle them.

As mentioned above, one of the more unique traits of Bipalium, and planarians in general, is their capacity to regenerate new individuals from parts and pieces. A piece as small as 1/279th of the whole can regenerate into a new individual. Do not attempt to chop up or crush hammerhead worms, or you may be dealing with several dozen when new worms develop in two weeks. However, even though it seems like hammerhead worms could reproduce very quickly, it’s still fairly uncommon to see one. If found, place it in a bag or bucket with either salt, alcohol, or vinegar until the worm is dead. As long as you do not cut or chop up the worms, it is very unlikely you’ll have to deal with more than one at any given time. Just keep your eyes open and remember to report any sightings to 1-866-NOEXOTICS!

I doubt I will ever have to deal with this oddball invasive at my current location, thank goodness.

Fall cleanup is winding up - just a few more things to do. I'm getting antsy to plant something - anything! - but I will have to wait. This morning's dog walk required a parka, mittens, and hat. At least the sun is shining and the goldfinch are back.

Creeping Charlie and his cousins

I complain a lot about the Creeping Charlie in my yard, but some plants I've been referring to as CC are actually something else.

Borrowed photo (can't recall from where)

Creeping Charlie (Glechoma hederacea), a member of the mint family, is known by several other names: Ground Ivy, Creeping Jenny, Field Balm, Alehoof, and more. While eschewed by most gardeners, it does have its uses: provides nectar to some pollinators in early spring, is edible, has medicinal uses, was used in place of hops when brewing beer, etc. Some no-mow lawns include it in their seed mix.

Last summer I let it run rampant on the south side of the house while trying to keep it out of the garden beds there (it may have allelopathic qualities that cause it to compete with other plants). I thought it might be a natural (if non-native and invasive) no-mow alternative to lawn, but it doesn't withstand light traffic very well, so that area is a bit muddy now. Elsewhere in the yard, it gets treated with a broadleaf herbicide. For more info, see this post.

Purple Deadnettle (Lamium purpureum) is also a member of the mint family. It may be known as Red Deadnettle or Purple Archangel. It too provides forage in early spring, is edible, and has medicinal uses (as described here). I have it in my yard, but being a winter annual, it dies when the weather gets hot and isn't that much of a problem, or where it does pop up, it is easy to pull.

Henbit (Lamium amplexicaule) is yet another mint relative that is very similar to Purple Deadnettle. I probably have this in my yard, but I have not noticed it or assumed it was Deadnettle. To read a comparison between Purple Deadnettle with Henbit, visit this site.

What *is* growing in my yard is Bleeding Heart. They seem particularly prolific this year. I love them, wish they hung around longer.

While I whine about the lack of bugs in my yard, this year I've noticed a lot of ants. These busy little critters were trying to drag something much larger than themselves into their nest.

We have been having a LOT of rain recently - everything is so *green*. The lawn has needed twice-weekly mowing, and I've already cleaned out the gutters twice as well. The chokeberry shrubs are blooming, so maybe they will produce fruit this year. The ragwort is in its yellow glory, the wild geranium and blue star are doing their thing, and the columbine is just starting to bloom.

On the edible front, the strawberry plants are taking root, the garlic poking up, and the rhubarb heading toward first harvest. Even a remnant of my asparagus patch is providing me with a few spears here and there, enough for an omelette now and then.

Jumping worms?!?

While I am puzzling about the stink bugs that show up (one at a time) in my house, apparently there are bigger problems to worry about. Asian jumping worms are invading the Midwest. Wisconsin has had jumping worms since 2013, and now they are showing up in Indiana.

What's the big deal? These boogers destroy soil, mulch, and plants, leaving behind castings that do not nourish anything. And there are no known treatments other than collecting them and destroying them. I haven't seen any evidence of them in my yard, but I will keep a lookout for suspicious brown patches.

From the Wisconsin DNR

Here is more info: From the Wisconsin DNR, from Vermont Invasives, and from Indiana Native Plants.

(I can't help but wonder what Darwin would say about such a destructive creature.)

Meanwhile, we are having a ridiculously warm day. It won't last, but it is a bit disturbing.

I've been sick with a cold this past week. Not covid, not the flu, just a plain ordinary cold. In the midst of it, one can't help but wonder if recovery is possible, but eventually symptoms start to fade. I don't get sick very often, but when I do, I am IMpatient to be better. Illness is so boring.