荒れ地瓜(アレチウリ) burr cucumber

　アレチウリの原産地は北アメリカです。アレチウリが日本に渡って来たのは、輸入する大豆などに、種子が混入したためと言われています。ツル性の一年草でその繁殖力は凄まじく、他の植物を覆いつくしてしまいます。生態系に被害を及ぼすため、法律で特定外来生物に指定され、栽培や運搬などが禁止されています。
　河岸にある、私が好んで散歩する道は、現在アレチウリに占領されてしまいました。
　駆除するには、一年草のため根は浅いので抜き取れば良いのですが、種子が土の中で数年間生きることができるので、そう簡単にはいきません。

　Burr Cucumbers are native to North America. It is said that Burr Cucumbers were migrated to Japan because its seeds were mixed in with imported soybeans and other products. It is a climbing annual with an incredible ability to spread, and it will completely cover other plants. Because they cause damage to ecosystems, they have been designated as “specified invasive species” under the law, and their cultivation, transport, and other related activities are prohibited. 
　The path along the riverbank where I like to take walks has now been taken over by Burr Cucumbers. 
　To get rid of it, since it's an annual plant with shallow roots, you can simply pull it out; however, because the seeds can remain viable in the soil for several years, it's not that easy.