Weeds and stingers are not as bad as you might think!
We look at the benefits that nettles and other weeds can bring to the golf course. We see how some of the more ‘nuisance’ species can, in fact, be of huge benefit to all manner of wildlife, both large and small.
A European goldfinch feeding on the seeds of thistles.
There has been an emphasis in recent years to bring beauty and improved biodiversity to the golf course in the form of newly created wildflower areas. During summer, there is a mass of colour and nectar rich plants for our bees and other pollinating insects, such as butterflies. This can only be a good thing to halt the decline of our pollinating friends.
But, there is a whole family of plants that go unnoticed, that are just as important for our insects and other animals creating valuable wildlife habitats. These plants are most commonly known as ‘weeds’!
There can often be instruction to direct staff to strim those nettles, cut down those thistles or get rid of that bramble - but it doesn’t have to be like that. Whilst some areas need to be kept tidy, perhaps close to a green or tee, other areas could be set aside for these plants to flourish.
The stinging nettle is one of the most common weeds on a golf course, enjoying soils that are rich in phosphates, and it can often be seen growing in woodlands, rough areas and along hedgerows. It is a stubborn plant to remove and can appear unsightly, but it is a vitally important food plant for the caterpillars of many of the UK’s declining butterfly species. Red Admiral, Small Tortoiseshell, Peacock, Comma and Painted Lady all rely on the stinging nettle as part of their breeding cycle. Nettles are not only useful for insects, but can also be a food source for humans in the form of nettle soup.
A common urtica dioica or stinging nettle.
Weed examples
Garlic Mustard is a biennial flowering plant in the Mustard family (Brassicaceae). It looks similar to the stinging nettle, but without the sting, and has white flowers. The leaves and stems smell like garlic when crushed.
It likes shady places, such as hedgerows and the edge of woodlands. It is a food plant for the caterpillars of the Orange Tip (one of the first butterflies to emerge in early spring) and Small White.
Ragwort has bright yellow daisy like flowers and is usually found in dry open places. It is an important food source for around thirty species of invertebrates, including butterflies and moths. It is particularly important as it is the sole food plant of the Cinnabar Moth; other moths that use it include the Ruby Tiger Moth, Goldenrod Pug Moth and the Sussex Emerald Moth.
Brambles are often the cause of someone saying “ouch, that hurt” or similar out on the course, due to its notorious thorns. This can be an extremely invasive plant, with long trailing stems and hooked thorns enabling it to scramble over anything. It can often completely overtake some areas and has to be controlled. It thrives in most soils and light conditions. It sounds like a nightmare, but bramble does have its uses as it provides a home for a lot of different animals. The flowers (May to September) provide a useful source of nectar for many pollinating insects, such as bees, wasps and butterflies, whilst spiders spin webs to catch insects.
Left: An adult Buff Arches moth (Habrosyne pyritoides) settled on a leaf. Middle: Small Copper Butterfly on a yellow ragwort plant. Right: Garlic Mustard plant.
Moths, such as Buff Arches and Peach Blossom, lay their eggs on bramble as it is the food plant of their caterpillar. Various animals, such as blackbirds, robins, foxes and small mammals, eat the fruits (August to October). It also provides a protective home from predators for many species of birds and small mammals. It is probably one of the most wildlife friendly weeds on the golf course.
Thistle has numerous species, but two in particular can be a problem in a grassland habitat - the Creeping Thistle and Spear Thistle. Thistles are often considered unsightly, and the first thought is to cut them down, but think again; even thistles are good for wildlife. Birds like the Goldfinch and Siskin will feed on the seeds, the caterpillars of the Painted Lady Butterfly use them as their foodplant, and the Peacock, Meadow Brown and White Letter Hairstreak use the nectar from the flowers. Bees and other pollinating insects can also be found feeding on thistles.
Cirsium vulgare, the spear thistle.
The wonderful world of turf
Turf is probably the most common plant on the golf course, covering most of the course, but it can also be a weed - especially if you get the wrong species growing on a green or tee. Yorkshire Fog can be a particular problem for golf greens and has to be controlled in that scenario but, like other grasses, if it is allowed to grow then it provides a food source for several species of butterfly, such as Speckled Wood and Small Skipper.
Fescues, Bents and Meadow grasses provide a food source for the Meadow Brown. The rather striking Marbled White is often found in a grassland habitat; Red Fescue, Sheep’s Fescue and Tor-grass provide suitable food plants. Other grasses used by butterflies include Cocksfoot and False Brome (Large Skipper) and Tufted Hairgrass and Common Couch (Ringlet).
Allowing areas of rough grass to grow long might be annoying to some golfers if they lose their ball, but it provides a valuable home for insects, small mammals and, in turn, a food source for birds such as the Spotted Flycatcher and Barn Owl.
Close-up of an siskin.
So, when you’re thinking about providing a wildlife habitat on the golf course, pause for a moment and give some thought to weeds. They’re not as bad as you think!
Information credits
