Perilla Pulling Party
Ain't we got fun! When the call came out, Farmcolony residents rallied round to pull and eradicate (not likely) the unwanted perilla weed. THE PERILLA WEED A member of the mint family of plants, perilla is known by many names -- shiso, beefsteak plant, Chinese basil, rattlesnake weed, and purple mint. By any name it is a toxic weed that can create respiratory problems in cattle, goats, horses and other ruminants that consume the plant while grazing. Originally from Asia, it is considered an invasive species in the U.S. Dr. Joel Cline, DMV, Director of The J.B. Taylor Diagnostic Laboratory in Elba, Alabama says that “Livestock poisoned by perilla mint have respiratory problems from lung lesions, with symptoms similar to pneumonia.” Sure enough, Farmcolony has lost some cattle presumably…