by Fred Schueler & Aleta Karstad – Fragile Inheritance Natural History
Even those who drive with their windows closed may have noticed the distinctive waft of Dyssodia papposa along Hwy 416. This low-growing annual species, with small intensely yellow composite flowers, is afflicted with a variety of English names, including Fetid Dogweed, Fetid Marigold, Prairie Dogweed, and False Dog-fennel. The scent of crushed Dyssodia is sharp and pungent, like pine and skunk – and as fresh and penetrating as menthol or eucalyptus. Dyssodia grows on you: each time you step out of the car on it, you’ll be surprised by its perky pungency, and after several encounters you’ll be pleased that you’ve found it again!
Dyssodia entered our world on 2 October, 2009, when Mike Oldham announced that he was leaving our slug identification workshop in Bishops Mills early, in order to survey it on his way home to Peterborough. Mike is the botanist at the province’s Natural Heritage…
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