Reviewed by: Nathan Watson
Save the Cahaba River: Groups remove destructive taro plants in Trussville
Reading time: 2 minutes
This past weekend, volunteers from the Cahaba River Society, Cahaba Riverkeeper, and Friends of Pinchgut Creek removed more than 1200+ pounds of taro, a popular ornamental plant that destroys the biodiversity of the Cahaba River.
The removal was done along a stretch of the Cahaba river in the Trussville.
Taro: Major threat to Cahaba River
Taro is an invasive species from Southeast Asia that is a major threat to the Cahaba River because it chokes out native species.
“While admired for its lush foliage, taro poses a serious threat to the Cahaba River ecosystem. Simply educating the public about the issue is the first step. We would love for anyone to join us in our removal efforts.”
Zachary Fitzgibbon, Cahaba River Society Volunteer Coordinator
How to dispose taro properly at home
In addition to taro volunteer removal days organized by river conservation groups, Jean Cox, Executive Director at Friends of Pinchgut Creek, encourages homeowners to not dispose taro plants on the side of a road for brush/rubbish pickup.
“If homeowners put the taro plants next to the road with their landscape rubbish, pieces of the roots can wash into storm drains that lead to our creeks. One small piece of taro root washing into the watershed can be the start of a huge stand of taro appearing alongside or in the river.”
Jean Cox, Executive Director at Friends of Pinchgut Creek
In lieu of putting taro out by the side of the road, Cox recommends bagging the plant and sending it to the landfill.
One last recommendation? Once you remove a taro plant, replace it with a native look-a-like alternative that doesn’t “choke” the river, the Southern arrowhead.
Next taro plant removal gathering
Want to join the battle against the invasive taro plant and help save the Cahaba River? The next taro removal gathering is planned for Sept 20. Here is a link to register!
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