Visitors looking forward to a serene outdoor lunch at Casa Grande Ruins will have to pack their picnic blankets away a little longer. The National Monument's picnic area is off-limits due to an infestation of an invasive weed with a nasty scent, according to monument officials. The closure, which began on March 28, is expected to last through April 30, with a potential extension until May 1st, as the team works diligently to address the issue.
The culprit behind the stinky situation is a weed known as stinknet, an unwelcome guest that can grow over 2 feet tall and carries the displeasing aroma of turpentine. The Arizona Native Plant Society has tracked its aggressive spread across Maricopa County, noting an explosive growth during the wet seasons of 2016, 2018, and 2019. Monument officials in a statement are urging visitors not to tread near the weed to prevent its seeds from hitching a ride to new locations.
Stinknet’s presence is more than just an olfactory offense; the weed also poses a threat to health and the environment. Breathing problems and severe skin rashes are amongst the risks mentioned by Fox10 Phoenix. Compounding the issue is the plant’s resistance to glyphospate herbicides, which have proven ineffective when used alone, making the battle against the invasive species a tough one for the Casa Grande Ruins team. They’ve resolved to employ manual removal techniques in hopes of reopening the picnic area for eager visitors looking to enjoy the scenic backdrop of the Hohokam tribe's ancient structures.
The Casa Grande Ruins team, per a Fox10 Phoenix report, is committed to finding a solution rapidly, aiming to salvage both the monument's allure and its visitors' experience from the invasive grip of stinknet.
