And think about Sigourney Weaver in Alien, because that couldn't just possibly be a tree with lots of little branches that are blocking the sidewalk ...
The "alien parasite" is the vine wrapped around the tree. I forget what it's called, but it can be found all around the neighborhoods near the Roslindale commuter rail station. The Globe had an article last year at some point talking about a Cambridge gardening group that was trying (and failing) to eradicate the vine.
That was called the Dog Strangling Vine (Cynanchum louiseae) or Black swallow-wort. And like Aliens, the only way to kill it is with fire and "Nuke it from space"
Cynanchum louisiae (black swallow-wort) wraps around chain link fences just fine but it's typically not going to wrap around a tree. I can['t see what the heck is going on in this photo though. The straight twigs sticking out aren't black swallow-wort though.
You're right, that's not swallow-wort. It isn't bittersweet either. Those are water sprouts, wispy unbranched shoots, coming out of the tree itself. Water sprouts arising from the trunk or main branches are usually a sign of stress, like disease or mechanical damage. In this case it looks like the stress is the tree growing through the chain link fence.
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I don't get it..
I don't get it..
Look at those tendrils!
And think about Sigourney Weaver in Alien, because that couldn't just possibly be a tree with lots of little branches that are blocking the sidewalk ...
Invasive (Alien) Species?
either that, or just Hipster Humor?
Alien Parasite
The "alien parasite" is the vine wrapped around the tree. I forget what it's called, but it can be found all around the neighborhoods near the Roslindale commuter rail station. The Globe had an article last year at some point talking about a Cambridge gardening group that was trying (and failing) to eradicate the vine.
It's bittersweet
It's an invasive weed called Oriental Bittersweet and it is incredibly difficult to get rid of.
http://www.mda.state.mn.us/plants/badplants/orient...
That was called the Dog
That was called the Dog Strangling Vine (Cynanchum louiseae) or Black swallow-wort. And like Aliens, the only way to kill it is with fire and "Nuke it from space"
http://www.nps.gov/plants/alien/fact/cylo1.htm
Cynanchum louisiae (black
Cynanchum louisiae (black swallow-wort) wraps around chain link fences just fine but it's typically not going to wrap around a tree. I can['t see what the heck is going on in this photo though. The straight twigs sticking out aren't black swallow-wort though.
Water sprouts
You're right, that's not swallow-wort. It isn't bittersweet either. Those are water sprouts, wispy unbranched shoots, coming out of the tree itself. Water sprouts arising from the trunk or main branches are usually a sign of stress, like disease or mechanical damage. In this case it looks like the stress is the tree growing through the chain link fence.
I think it's the snow
I had a roommate once who referred to snow as an alien invasion
So the parasites continuing to occupy the host could be a reference to the unshoveled sidewalk????
Not the tree -- the parking space!
And here I thought the major (astonishing, even) news was there was a parking space available and it wasn't being saved by a beach chair!!
What parking space?
That gap between cars is not a parking space - it's a curb cut. Looks like there's one of those handicap-ramp tiles in the middle of it.