Working together to strengthen and support noxious weed management efforts in Montana.
Montana State University Extension has published a great 12 page booklet with information that will allow you to identify the different Hawkweeds found in Montana.
This publication includes descriptions, photos showing the details of what to look for in the different lifestages of this plant.
It is free from MSU extension. Download a copy here today.
MontGuides are self-learning resource from Montana State University Extension.
“The hawkweeds are a very large genus of plants with approximately 25 species in North America. Hawkweeds are members of the sunflower family and are closely related to dandelion, chicory, prickly lettuce and sowthistle. Like some of their relatives, hawkweeds can rapidly colonize and dominate forest meadows, pastures and roadsides. In addition to reproducing by seeds, hawkweeds are capable of spreading by rhizomes, stolons and adventitious root buds. These methods of vegetative reproduction and a tolerance for sites with low productivity are probably responsible for the ability of these plants to quickly establish and dominate new areas. ”
Download the MontGuide including information on the origin, identification, impacts and information on management of the hawkweed.
Common tansy has a long history of medicinal use, but in Montana it has become a problem weed in pastures and along roadsides, fence lines and stream banks. Common tansy is a category 1 noxious weed on the Montana Statewide Noxious Weed List.
This self-learning resource from Montana State University Extension discusses the most recent techniques for managing common tansy. It is 4 pages long and ready to be printed or save on your computer in PDF format. Click here to get your copy today.
On January 20th, the Billings Gazette featured an article about the BLM removing Russian Olive trees.
The trees were introduced as a fast-growing, hardy tree good for creating shelter belts, habitat and food for wildlife. Russian Olive tree is indigenous to Europe and Asia. It can quickly colonize in riparian areas and out compete native vegetation, interfere with natural plant succession and nutrient cycling. Read the full article about the Bureau of Land Managements efforts.
Montana State University provides a great collection of extension publications. Many of these are available online, and provide a great way to learn more about some of the noxious weeds in Montana.
Cheatgrass is being added to our Priority 3 List. Learn all about this invader in in a Montguide devoted to cheatgrass.
Celestine A. Duncan1, Weed Management Services and Mark J. Renz, New Mexico State University
Hoary cress (Cardaria sp.) is also known as whitetop or little whitetop. It is a deep-rooted, creeping perennial mustard that spreads by seed and vegetative root growth. There are three species including lens-podded hoary cress (C. chalapensis), heart-podded hoary cress (C. draba); and globe-podded hoary cress (C. pubescens). Hoary cress is well adapted to moist sites including sub-irrigated and irrigated pastures and hay-fields, rangeland, and disturbed sites such as roadsides, railways, and ditch banks. It can also invade cropland including small grain and alfalfa fields. Hoary cress may reduce crop yields, displace native plants, and reduce biodiversity, wildlife habitat, and forage production. The weed contains glucosinolates that can be toxic to cattle (McInnis et al. 1993). Hoary cress begins growth early in spring from a rhizomatous root system and flowers by April or early May. Seeds are produced about a month after flowering.
Published in WSWS Proceedings, 2007, Portland, OR.
VIPER’S BUGLOSS: BIOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT OF A NEW INVADER ON RANGELAND
Celestine A. Duncan, Bill Kral, Bryce Christiaens, and Rob Johnson
Viper’s bugloss (Echium vulgare L.) is a biennial to short-lived taprooted perennial in the borage family. The plant grows 2 to 3 feet tall, and both stems and leaves are covered with stiff trichomes that emerge from a bulbous base. Brilliant blue flowers are borne on a thyrse, and produce from 500 to 2000 seeds per plant. Viper’s bugloss contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids poisonous to livestock. The plant is native to Europe preferring dry, coarse textured, rocky soils. It is established in temperate zones worldwide especially along transportation corridors, overgrazed pastures, and rangeland.
Wrong time, wrong place. Accidentally and on purpose, America is sowing seeds — literal seeds — of destruction. These are the conclusions of a soon-to-be-published book examining weeds in the United States.
“The invasion of noxious weeds has created a level of destruction to America’s environment and economy that is matched only by the damage caused by floods, earthquakes, wildfire, hurricanes and mudslides. Secretary of the Interior Bruce Babbitt said, “This is truly an explosion in slow motion by opportunistic alien species with few if any natural enemies.” (more…)
AN ABSTRACT OF THE THESIS OF
Jessi L. Brunson for the degree of Master of Science in Botany and Plant Pathology presented on January 15, 2008.
Title: Yield Responses of Invasive Grasses to Carbon Doses.
The sagebrush steppe ecosystem of the northern Great Basin is severely degraded and continues to decline due in large part to the invasive, non-native annual grasses Bromus tectorum L. (cheatgrass) and Taeniatherum caput-medusae (L.) Nevski (medusahead). Restoration of invasive-dominated areas is difficult, but can be enhanced by adding a carbon source, which stimulates microbes to immobilize soil inorganic N and reduces yields of fast-growing ruderal plants. How much carbon is needed to induce this effect is uncertain, so our research objectives were to establish a response to increasing carbon doses and calculate the lowest dose where a significant response was observed for 1) biomass, density, and seed production of cheatgrass and medusahead; 2) soil microbial biomass C and N; and 3) inorganic soil N. In November 2005 we applied 12 carbon doses ranging from 0 to 2400 kg C/ha as sucrose to plots planted with cheatgrass and medusahead at two sites in the northern Great Basin.
Read the complete article with the findings.
by Marilyn Marler
Abstract—I conducted a survey of wilderness areas to provide an overview of plant invasions in the National Wilderness Preservation System. Fifteen per cent of responding mangers reported that exotic plants were among their top 10 management concerns, either because they are actively dealing with control of exotic pest plants or have prioritized prevention of their establishment. Seventy per cent of responding wilderness areas do not monitor or inventory for exotic plants. The majority of respondents reported that exotic plants have not impacted their areas, so it is important to emphasize prevention and early detection of exotic plant establishment. Responses varied greatly among regions, with the highest priority being given to exotic plants by agencies in the California Mediterranean region and the Rocky Mountain montane region. The National Park Service was most likely to monitor or inventory for exotic plants. The greatest needs for most areas are increased funding, education and training to prevent further establishment of exotic plants.