I’ve been shooting pollinators here in the San Antonio area for the last few weeks in urban parks. I’m not seeing a lot of natives blooming right now. What I’m noticing is that Poverty Weed and Vitex (which are blooming) are absolutely mobbed. Same with planted specimen Lanatas. I’ve seen so many interesting pollinator species. Many consider Poverty Weed as a noxious native, and Vitex and specimen Lantanas as invasive.
Anyway, it led me to wonder if plants like these might actually be a benefit in urban areas where habitat loss/derangement is so high. Maybe some of these tough “undesirable” plants are helping to save vulnerables and pollinators in general?
For example, I’ve noted several Sonoran Bumble Bees on these plants, but I’ve found them nowhere else. One blooming Vitex had at least 30-40 individual American Bumbles swarming it. Both Bumbles are listed as vulnerable. And today, I noted 5 species of migrating and winter resident birds on Poverty Weed, snacking on both nectar and insects.
Is anyone aware of a project here looking at undesirable plants through this lens? I’m not taking a conservation position here, just wondering if there might be a bright side to consider.