Black & Pale Swallow-wort: Emerging Midwest Invasives

[@monalisahota]

Thanks for this informative video. I have some black swallo wort in my yard which I have hand pulled over the years. It's there but somewhat manageable. I put it in trash because I heard that none of their parts (leaves, stems, roots, seeds ) should be composted since they can come back . I was wondering if that's really true because doesn't compost break down everything to the point that it's not that items anymore? Would really appreciate if someone can shed some light on this. New gardener 😊

[@midwestinvasiveplantnetwor7029]

Good question. The main concern for black swallow-wort spread is via seed, but root crowns can regenerate even if they are damaged and so the guidance is that this plant should not be composted (mnfi.anr.msu.edu/invasive-species/Swallow-wortBCP.pdf). While technically composting can break down all plant material, it takes 30 days of exposure to temperatures of 145 degrees or more to kill seeds from tougher weed species (wssa.net/) in a properly designed and managed compost system and that can be very difficult to achieve with backyard composting. It is safer to double bag and dispose of swallow-wort in your regular trash.

[@monalisahota]

@@midwestinvasiveplantnetwor7029 thanks for the reply. The first link didn't open for me. If it's the seeds and the roots that are the biggest concerns, is it then ok to compost the leaves and stems because often that's what ends up in the hands with my mediocre efforts. I plan on going in with tools but can't help pulling them out anytime I see them.

[@midwestinvasiveplantnetwor7029]

@@monalisahota That page was slow to load for me too. Try using this link www.misin.msu.edu/facts/detail/?project=&id=36&cname=Black+swallow-wort. If you scroll to the bottom, you should be able to open the best control practices for swallow-wort document. I still wouldn't recommend composting this plant, in case of accidental inclusion of seed or root fragments, but you are correct that the stems and leaves themselves cannot generate a new plant.