In June 2020, we reported that SFRPD was using a new version of an old toxic pesticide: Vastlan, with the active ingredient Triclopyr. (The same as in Garlon, which was the single most toxic herbicide they used.)

Neighbor and videographer Ron Proctor took this video of a whole team of people applying this pesticide against oxalis, the popular pretty weed that Nativists love to hate. (The video is used here with permission.)

Click on the picture to go to the video

OXALIS, THE SMILING FLOWER OF SPRING

Oxalis is also known as sourgrass. Children like to eat it; it provides copious nectar for bees and butterflies; and wildlife eats the root bulbs, called bulbils. And lots of people like the sheer beauty of this early harbinger of spring.

See this ABC7 News report headlined Large flower bloom wows drivers on Highway 1 in Santa Cruz County

(CLICK on the picture above to go to the report.)

Toxic herbicides? Not so popular. Especially on a steep slope like this, in wind and rain conditions, the herbicide is bound to travel downhill. Whether intentionally or not, it’s going to spread through the soil.

We have for many years been asking San Francisco to stop using toxic pesticides. Only a loud public outcry is likely to have any impact.

Honeybee in oxalis flower