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 ›
toxic plants
Milk Thistle – March 2020 Weed of the Month
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 ›
Spurge Laurel – February 2019 Weed of the Month
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 ›
Poison-hemlock (Conium maculatum) April 2018 Weed of the Month
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 ›
Tansy Ragwort – July 2017 Weed of the Month
Cows and horses don’t seek out poisonous plants like tansy ragwort. But it’s hard for them to avoid exposure when the weeds take over their pastures, or line the trails where they are ridden. Although tansy ragwort is bitter and… Read More ›
Protect horses by getting rid of tansy ragwort
Tansy ragwort is an invasive, toxic biennial weed from Europe often found in pastures and along roadsides. It makes horses sick and can kill them if they eat enough of it. The plant is also toxic to cattle, sheep, some… Read More ›
