This time of year, you may notice low clumps of bull thistle growing along trails or in disturbed grassy areas. Bull thistle (Cirsium vulgare) is also called spear thistle, which perfectly describes the mean-looking, spear-shaped leaves armed with sharp spines… Read More ›
Fragrant water lily (Nymphaea odorata) has many redeeming qualities as well as causing significant problems here in Washington. This species of water lily is native to the eastern and central United States and is used both by people and wildlife,… Read More ›
False brome is not your ordinary grass species. This introduced bunch grass spreads into shaded woodlands and can carpet the forest floor, excluding native species and increasing fire risk. Sometimes used as an ornamental grass, false brome (Brachypodium sylvaticum) first… Read More ›
The story behind this month’s noxious weed is sadly ironic. First introduced from the Middle East to Utah in 1891 as a possible forage plant, it soon became evident that it contained a poisonous alkaloid making it toxic to livestock… Read More ›
Milk thistle is a perfect example of how plants can have both positive and negative impacts. On the one hand, milk thistle is a Class A noxious weed and quarantined species in Washington because of its negative impacts on pastures… Read More ›
There are few flowers so intensely flame-colored as orange hawkweed. This plant truly deserves one of its common names, Devil’s Paintbrush, both for its fiery colors and for its devilish behavior as a noxious weed in North America. When orange… Read More ›
Yellow archangel (Lamiastrum galeobdolon) stirs up a lot of passion for some people, usually very negative. It is one of the plants we get the most questions about, either because it is spreading like crazy or because it has mysteriously… Read More ›
Spurge laurel (Daphne laureola) may have escaped your notice so far, or you may have written it off as a weird-looking rhododendron. It isn’t a true laurel and it certainly isn’t a spurge, but rather it is one of many… Read More ›
English holly’s red berries and beautiful, glossy green leaves evoke warm, holiday cheer for many. Unfortunately, we are also becoming all too familiar with seeing this plant along hiking trails and in out-of-the-way forests. Sadly, English holly is beginning to… Read More ›
Weeds are, unfortunately, a common sight, but it takes a special kind of weed to make the “World’s Top 10 Worst Weeds List.” Field bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis), a non-regulated Class C noxious weed, is one of them. If you’ve ever… Read More ›
