Nearly two decades ago, some landscape gardeners had imported Mikania micrantha, which is known as bitter vine, American rope or Chinese creeper, from Central and South America.
Due to its reproductive capacity, the plant quickly spread across Taiwan. Its vines climb trunks and cover foliage, keeping sunlight from trees, which inhibits photosynthesis and causes trees to wither.
Bitter vine is known in some countries as the “mile-a-minute weed.” It has been listed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources as one of the world’s 100 worst invasive alien plant species.
Despite the pretty white flowers that grow on
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Melinda Gates setting an example
By Li
Dao-yong 李道勇
Last week, Microsoft cofounder Bill Gates and his wife, Melinda Gates, said in a statement that they have decided to end their marriage. The news immediately caused a global sensation.
When my daughter heard that I was going to write a newspaper op-ed to comment on the matter, she made sure to remind me not to focus on the divorce agreement or the handling of the world’s richest couple’s wealth.
Instead of talking about how much money Melinda Gates would get from the divorce, my daughter wanted me to focus on the many sacrifices she has made, and on her many contributions to the world over the years.