Abstract: Ox-eye daisies (Leucanthemum vulgare) and scentless chamomile (Matricaria perforata) were intentionally introduced to North America from other continents for aesthetics, agriculture, medicinal use, or culinary pleasure, but have also been labeled as noxious weeds in the USA and Canada. While working to eradicate these plants as part of a mine land restoration project in Colorado, botanist Katherine Darrow contemplates some of the ethical and biological dilemmas inherent to the task of eradicating plants we have been taught to loathe. "With all of their benefits to balance out their proclivity to colonize and reproduce, isn’t there a way we could make peace with daisies, rather than label them as botanical terrorists that must be destroyed? Is this “war on weeds” a battle we can even win? What are some compromises that might dissolve the conflict and allow co-existence based on mutual respect? Can we make agreements to disagree while honoring the basic rights of other living beings…even if they are only plants?" As restoration ecologists, these are some of the questions we may choose to explore if we wish to approach the task of controlling other species with an attitude of non-violent conflict resolution. Because, ultimately, “we will all be pushing up, rather than pulling up daisies.“ Full-text available here. ${imageDescription} Comment
