April 27, 2023 / Modified apr 28, 2023 10:37 a.m.

Why this wildflower is worrying naturalists in Arizona.

Also on Arizona Spotlight: Martha Retallick on her "City Nature"; German fellow visits the AZPM Studio; and, a look into a Dolly Parton themed dance party.

Stinknet hero Stinknet (Oncosiphon pilulifer) is a highly invasive wildflower that is spreading across Arizona.
Tony Paniagua / AZPM

Featured on the April 27th, 2023 edition of ARIZONA SPOTLIGHT with guest host Tony Paniagua:

Arizona Spotlight

April 27, 2023

NPR
(Download MP3)

  • An annual weed with attractive little, yellow flowers is causing big headaches for environmental groups in Arizona. Invasive Plant Program Manager for the Tucson Audubon Society Tony Figueroa sat down to tell us about stinknet, one of the latest invasive species that is taking root in our state. For more information, you can also check out this special stinknet website with details.

Stinknet invasive in field The stinknet weed (Oncosiphon pilulifer) was being traded as Globe chamomile before being renamed. Scientists say it is an invasive plant in our region.
Tony Figueroa

Tony Figueroa spotlight Tony Figueroa in the AZPM Studio.
Tony Paniagua / AZPM

Stinknet Invasive key The stinknet weed (Oncosiphon pilulifer), seen here with a key for scale, was being traded as Globe chamomile before being renamed. Scientists say it is an invasive plant in our region.
Tony Figueroa

  • Meet Tucson resident Martha Retallick. She transformed her urban property into an oasis for native plants, insects, and birds, and now she’s sharing her photography and observations in a new book: City Nature.
Martha Retallick spotlight Martha Retallick in the AZPM Studio.
Tony Paniagua / AZPM

Martha Retallick Book Martha Retallick's book was inspired by harvesting rainwater, photography, gardening, and other interests.
Tony Paniagua / AZPM

  • And hear from a young German professional who recently visited AZPM as part of a transatlantic program to increase understanding in the field of broadcasting. Listen to his take on immigration, free education, and universal health care in Germany, and why he was surprised to see palm trees on UA’s campus.

Abel Fekade German Visitor 1 Abel Fekade, who was born in Leipzig, Germany, visited Arizona and other parts of United States as part of an exchange program between citizens of both countries.
Tony Paniagua / AZPM

  • And, listen to an Audio Postcard featuring Tucsonans having fun at a “Dolly Party”, a Dolly Parton-inspired disco, country & western diva dance celebration.
Dolly Disco 3 unsized Attendees at the "Dolly Party," the traveling dance party that stopped at Club Congress on Feb. 16.
Photo by Isabella Laos
Dolly Disco 2 spotlight Attendees at the "Dolly Party," the traveling dance party that stopped at Club Congress on Feb. 16.
Photo by Isabella Laos
Dolly Disco 1 spotlight Attendees at the "Dolly Party," the traveling dance party that stopped at Club Congress on Feb. 16.
Photo by Isabella Laos

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