If Washington ever decided on a state weed, Himalayan blackberry (Rubus armeniacus) would be a strong contender. Some people hate its thorns, some love its berries, but almost everyone has a strong opinion about it. Yet, for all its fame,… Read More ›
All over King County invasive weeds are on the move, growing in parks, gardens, roadsides, and many other places. Now is a perfect time to get outside, enjoy the sun, and eradicate them! Below are some important invasive and noxious… Read More ›
If you’ve made it outside on a recent sunny day, you’ve probably noticed the abundance of flowers blooming in gardens, parks, forests, and throughout King County right now. Unfortunately, the noxious weeds are out there, too—many of them bolting, flowering,… Read More ›
If you’ve ever walked barefoot in a field, chances are you’ve felt a thistle: those spiny-leaved plants that prick your feet and make you jump. Left unchecked, they produce purple or pink flowers at stem ends and plenty of seeds…. Read More ›
When noxious weed specialists Maria Winkler and Minwook Park drove down a quiet street on Vashon Island earlier this spring, they were alarmed to find a large, dense carpet of shiny geranium lining the road. It wasn’t the first time… Read More ›
Poison-hemlock, the toxic cousin of the carrot, is easy to spot in April. Look for the large mounds of bright green, lacy-looking leaves on stout, purple-spotted stems rising up above the grass. It’s important to recognize because poison-hemlock (Conium maculatum)… Read More ›
King County’s noxious weed specialists have their hands full this month and it isn’t going to get easier anytime soon. Top priority noxious weeds they are focusing on this month include garlic mustard, European coltsfoot, giant hogweed and shiny geranium…. Read More ›
Just added to the Washington State Noxious Weed List in 2018, European coltsfoot (Tussilago farfara) is still new to many of us in the noxious weed world. However, this interesting species has been used as a medicinal plant in China… Read More ›
There are three things I often hear about Scotch broom (or Scot’s broom, which may be the correct common name, but is not as commonly used). First, people tell me they hate this plant because they are allergic to it…. Read More ›
There are already a few noxious weeds you might spot flowering around here this month. Just today I noticed flowers on a spurge laurel plant I have potted up for education events. Spurge laurel (Daphne laureola) is a smallish evergreen… Read More ›
