"Arizona National Monument and Ruins Picnic Areas Closed Due to Invasive Stinknet Weed"

The invasive "stinknet" plant, known for its unpleasant odor and potential health hazards, has led to the temporary closure of a picnic area at Arizona's Casa Grande Ruins National Monument. The plant, native to South Africa, has spread across the desert landscape, displacing native vegetation and altering fragile ecosystems. Considered a serious threat to the Sonoran Desert, efforts are underway to control its spread, with homeowners encouraged to remove the weeds before they produce seeds.