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INVASIVE
SPECIES |
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Fairbanks
SWCD's 6 Invasive Plants of Concern
Information from
Invasive Plants of Alaska
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Colony of yellow toadflax
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Yellow Toadflax
Linaria vulgaris
Yellow toadflax is also knows as common toadflax,
butter and eggs, and wild snapdragon. Unlike its
look-alike snapdragon, this plant is a pretty but
very invasive weed.
Because it is an attractive
plant, it was sold in garden centers. But those
who admired its blooms soon got more than enough
of them. It is a persistent and aggressive
invader, capable of forming dense colonies.
Control toadflax through cutting,
mowing and tilling, especially in the early summer
after flower bud formation but before flowering.
Hand-pulling works well in small infestations.
Download
PDF map of toadflax infestations in FSWCD (2.1
MB).
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Foxtail Barley |
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Foxtail Barley
Hordeum jubatum |
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This annual or
biennial grass may be native to Alaska, but it is a
potentially invasive weed that readily colonizes.
Control requires herbicides. It is also called
squirreltail barley.
The barbed awns of foxtail barley
can work their way into the gums and digestive
tracks of animals, causing irritation and
inflammation.
Download PDF
map of foxtail barley infestation in FSWCD (2.1
MB). |
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Hempnettle
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Hempnettle
Galeopsis bifida |
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Though not as
nasty as a stinging nettle, it is nonetheless
invasive, quickly taking over where the soil has
been disturbed. It creates a dense layer of cover
and limits the ability of native plants to return.
Also called bifid hempnettle, split-lip hempnettle
and common hempnettle, it is similar to some native
species, including field mint.
It is difficult to control
hempnettle once it is established and may require
herbicide application.
Download PDF map
of hempnettle infestations in FSWCD (2.1 MB) |
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White Sweetclover
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White Sweetclover
Melilotus alba |
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A
biennial plant, white sweet clover can reach 5 feet
tall and is often branched. It is also called white
melilot, honey clover, honeylotus, tree clover and
white millet. Each white sweetclover plant is
capable of producing up to 350,000 seeds that can
remain viable in the soil for up to 81 years.
To control white sweetclover,
pulling and cutting must be performed until the
seedbank is exhausted.
Download PDF
map of white sweetclover infestations in FSWCD
(2.1 MB) |
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Bird Vetch |
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Bird Vetch
Vicia cracca |
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Another attractive plant with unpleasant
characteristics, bird or purple vetch is a climbing
invasive that can climb over shrubs like alder and
willow. Bird vetch was once planted as a forage crop
but soon spread outside of cultivated areas.
Hand-pulling can be effective for small areas.
Mowing or herbicides might be needed for larger
areas.
Bird vetch is highly tolerate of
drought, cold and fire, and thrives in many pH
levels. The plants produce high amounts of seeds
that are viable for many years.
Download PDF
map of bird vetch infestations in FSWCD (2.1
MB). |
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Perennial Sowthistle
Sonchus arvensis |
Perennial Sowthistle |
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The gangly,
dandelion-like sowthistle is known to drastically
reduce water resources when in dense concentrations.
Perennial sowthistles produce 4,000 to 13,000 seeds
that can remain dormant for up to six years.
Resistant to many common
broadleaf herbicides, biological, chemical, manual
and mechanical control methods are used against this
invasive.
Download
PDF map of perennial sowthistle infestations in
FSWCD (2.1 MB) |
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FSWCD's Invasive Plant Programs:
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