Dum, Dum, Dum, Dum, Dum, Dum, Dumb

Once in a while Crumby feels bad about scribbles like “Republico duh Booblico”. Goodness! Those crude attempts at making sport of the collective Tejanoland citizenry and its wholescale ignorance of nature, natural processes and science in general sometimes leaves even Crumby feeling low. But just when guilt almost convinces Crumby to stop with the low satire, along comes Travis Gallo of the Wildflower Center.

Yes. Today’s neo-Falangist daily Letters section features an actual photograph of Rapistrum rugosum. (Normally, you would never encounter an actual picture of Rapistrum outside this venue, RGVECB). Part of the picture’s caption; “an invasive species that grows along roads and highways and threatens to overtake our lovely bluebonnets”. Merciful heavens!

Furthermore, according to Mr. Gallo, If something is not done to curtail the invasion of bastard cabbage, we will continue to see fewer and fewer native wildflowers and our roadways will become a monoculture of invasive species.

Hmm. The preferred common name is bastard mustard. Then too, wouldn’t a monoculture involve just one species. Honestly though, compared to what’s out there on the backslopes these days, a monoculture of bastard mustard would be better. Yes. A monocultrue of bastard mustard would be better than a monoculture of KR bluestem. That is, if you are a red admiral and not a cow stampeding upon the backslope.

Hmm. Actually, Crumby is not sure about the cow part. Maybe Rayetta knows if cows eat bastard mustard. But whether they do or not, cows aren’t supposed to stray on to the back slope anyway. Cows on the backslope are a dang traffic hazard.

Yes they are. How many times has Crumby been going along lickety split when suddenly a cow wandered out on the road. Usually it’s not just one cow either. No. Usually it’s a small herd. Those cows may actually stop your progress. And what about deer? Those dern deer are even worse than the dang cows. Why are they worse? Because those dern deer are far more nimble or sprightly than the dang cows.

But to sum up. In these parts, Rapistrum rugosum is a celebrated floristic element. Plus, Rapistrum is widely grown as an ornamental. That’s because my bosom companion, the famous Ray Pistrum was named for Rapistrum. So was Rayetta.

Ha! So unless you want to mess with Druids, hands off the Rapistrum in these parts.

Rapistrum rugosum with lovely native fly attached.








Rapistrum vs. the Bluebonnets

This is exactly what everyone in these parts should be worried about. See those Rapistrums up on that ridge. You need to think of those particular Rapistrums as savage Comanches or maybe Zulus. Then down in the valley are the Bluebonnets. You may wish to think of the Bluebonnets as innocent white people.

Anyway, what could happen unless we do something is the Rapistrums are fixing to swoop down on the innocent Bluebonnets. Yes they shall swoop down and massacre all the innocent Bluebonnets. Mercy! Did you know that Bluebonnets are also known as Lupines? Well, they are.