Weekly Blast Boo-boo!

Air Quality Alert: Wildfire smoke from fires in southern Ontario, Canada and northeast Minnesota has moved into Wisconsin, creating unhealthy air quality conditions. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources has issued an Air Quality Advisory through noon on Thursday. Air quality is expected to reach the Unhealthy to Very Unhealthy level, with the potential to reach the Hazardous Air Quality Index level. The advisory will be re-evaluated Thursday morning and may be extended based on conditions. According to the Department of Health Services, wildfire smoke can affect anyone, but people who may notice symptoms sooner include older adults, young children, people who are pregnant, outdoor workers, and individuals with heart or lung conditions such as asthma or COPD.

Posted on May 10, 2026 by Flor Faustino

Well, we all make mistakes and I made one this morning in the Weekly Blast that was posted. Please read on:

The yellow plant you’ve been seeing is likely NOT garlic mustard its yellow rocket (Latin name Barbarea vulgaris). The garlic mustard that I noted has white flowers, not yellow. Yellow rocket (an invasive plant originally from Eurasia and South Africa) has these clusters of bright yellow flowers that you are seeing this spring. The correct part of my narrative was that farmers find this plant particularly problematic in their fields, competing with crops and pastures. It is even known to cause digestive problems in cattle.

I apologize for my bad botany. Whip out your “INaturalist” next time to make sure I’m correct! Respectfully, Sharon