Origanum Vulgare, Wild Marjoram

Day 314: As much as I appreciate being able to botanize in my own back yard, I do wish that my finds would be native species as opposed to introduced ones. While Origanum vulgare (Wild Marjoram) is not considered a serious invasive, it is nevertheless a weed, an escapee from cultivation and therefore undesirable. You might wonder why non-native species are problematic when they don't threaten to take over the world by monoculture. A major issue is that they draw pollinators which should be working elsewhere to keep native populations viable. Bees, bugs and birds are like humans. They will most likely choose a tasty food over a healthful one if the healthful one is less appealing. I mean, who can fault a child who prefers ice cream to spinach? Pollinators are no different, and although we may not fully understand their tastes or what makes one food source more attractive than another, they do exhibit preferences. Not all non-native species carry the same drawing power, and thus are less likely to become serious pests. However, weeds are often stronger or more resilient than native species and may still crowd them out over time. In any case, non-native species are the junk food of the pollinator's world, and while the B's (bugs, bees and birds) are visiting them and helping them to proliferate, native species are being neglected.