Alien's Abroad

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In Bolonia, bent double under the hot sun, men were working hard clearing the soil of plant-life. Why, we wondered was so much effort being put into weeding, when litter was still so prevalent along the coast line? I have frequently queried the Spanish sense of natural aestheticism and this seemed to be merely another of these occasions. I recalled that when living in Torviscon in the Alpujarras mountains, I witnessed the complete obliteration of the only patch of green grass to have struggled to life in the parched landscape by locals hellbent on eradication. Watching more pointless plant destruction, therefore was not that much of a surprise.

A few days later my indignation was pacified by an informative sign I noticed whilst watching the kite surfers on Playa de los Lances, 4km from Tarifa. It turns out that far from destroying the natural landscape, Spanish botanists are fighting the scourge of an 'invasive species' that is encroaching viciously onto the sand dunes and surrounding countryside. Now this had been pointed out to me in glorious technicolour, it seemed remarkably obvious. The plant pictured was indeed the subject of the Bolonian workers efforts. I'd even commented on the plant a few times previously, noting that it was growing everywhere.

Originally from South Africa, and used for its ornamental and medicinal qualities, Uňa de Leon is very attractive in many ways. The succulent stems protrude from the mass of creeping fronds that range in colour from deep green to pink. Dotted throughout the foliage are striking pink flowers, innocently masking its malevolence. Once an invasive species takes hold it can be close to impossible to get rid of it. Vigilance and hard work is required in order to revert the environment back to its indigenous state.

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Photos

Una de Leon
The Alien Invader

Una de Leon on the Dunes
The south African plant spreading across the dunes in Tarifa. Africa is in the distance.