Loup Generator — Winter 2022
Learn more about the invasive species in Nebraska and what you can do if you spot them. The 2022 list of financial incentives available to customers who make energy-efficient upgrades. Also in this issue, Mini-Splits 101: an introduction for homeowners.
Learn more about the invasive species in Nebraska and what you can do if you spot them. The 2022 list of financial incentives available to customers who make energy-efficient upgrades. Also in this issue, Mini-Splits 101: an introduction for homeowners.
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MOST<br />
UNWANTED<br />
INVASIVE SPECIES ON LOUP PROPERTY<br />
CANADA THISTLE<br />
Cirsium arvense<br />
Height: up to 4'<br />
Flowers: June to August<br />
Identification: Irregular, sharply lobed<br />
foliage; margins with short spines;<br />
compound pink to purple flowers<br />
in clusters; smaller than other thistles<br />
Known locations: a wide variety of habitats<br />
<strong>—</strong> rangeland, cropland, roadsides, and<br />
edges of waterways throughout Nebraska<br />
Birthplace: Eurasia and North Africa<br />
Crimes: Spreads up to a half a mile by<br />
wind, water, and wildlife; multi-million<br />
dollar losses in crop production due to<br />
competition; releases toxic substances<br />
into the soil which inhibits growth of some<br />
plants; competes with native vegetation<br />
LEAFY SPURGE<br />
Euphorbia esula<br />
Height: usually 1–2' (can grow to 3')<br />
Flowers: May to September<br />
Identification: Green to yellow bracts<br />
surround non-showy flowers; oblong<br />
leaves with one noteworthy vein; three<br />
lobed capsule fruits<br />
Known locations: Cropland, woodlands,<br />
shelter belts, and rangeland; roadsides<br />
and disturbed sites throughout most<br />
Nebraska counties<br />
Birthplace: Eurasia<br />
Crimes: Spreads by seeds and shoots from<br />
crown and roots; costs millions of dollars<br />
annually due to lost production; toxic to<br />
cattle; establishes quickly and easily and<br />
out-competes native vegetation<br />
MUSK THISTLE<br />
Carduus nutans<br />
Height: 10'<br />
Flowers: May to August<br />
Alias: Nodding Thistle<br />
Identification: Compound pink-purple<br />
flowers; serrated leaves; white spines at<br />
the end of each lobe<br />
Known locations: Widespread in most<br />
Nebraska counties<br />
Birthplace: Eurasia and North Africa<br />
Crimes: Prolific seed production; forms<br />
dense colonies that reduce yield in forage<br />
crops; competes with native vegetation<br />
INVASIVE CARP<br />
Birthplace: China & Eastern Asia;<br />
brought to Arkansas aquaculture<br />
farms in the 1970s<br />
Through flooding and accidental releases, black, grass,<br />
bighead and silver carps found their way into the Mississippi<br />
River system. This gave them access to many of the<br />
country’s rivers and streams.<br />
Silver Carp<br />
Grass Carp<br />
8 | GENERATOR