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It flowers early in the season, thus
releasing its seeds ahead of other plant species.
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It's a prolific seed producer.
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Its seeds last for years.
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The seeds germinate readily, and do not require specialized
conditions to do so.
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It can grow just about anywhere.
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It has no predator - ie, no bird or animal
eats it. It is edible by humans, though (so start collecting and give it a
try!)
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It photosynthesizes all year, even through
the winter if it's not covered by snow.
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It's ready to "bolt" (grow quickly
upward) first thing in the spring, thus shading out and crowding out other
plant species.
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Each plant produces several stalks,
increasing its seed-producing potential and the area that it crowds and
shades out.
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It seems to prefer disturbed ground, of which
there is no shortage due to the activities of humans.
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Many people are completely unaware and
ignorant of its potential for destruction of native forest plant species. I
have even heard an herbalist recommend that it be grown and transplanted!
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It grows in sun or shade.
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It is not a specialized plant - that is, it
does not have a dependency on a particular environment, soil type, animal,
insect, bird, or weather condition to grow. In short, it's a generalist.
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It withstands drought well.
