Reading Time: 2 minutes Often found in high densities across Alberta, perennial sow thistle seems to be a noxious weed that doesn’t quit. Not only does this pest cause significant yield loss in many crops, but it’s a host for several plant pests that attack economically important crops such as alfalfa, winter wheat and canola — just to name […] Read more
Perennial sow thistle costs farmers across Alberta
Noxious Weeds: Perennial sow thistle causes yield loss and acts as a host for pests
Devil’s trumpet is a potentially deadly invader
Noxious Weeds: Jimsonweed
Reading Time: < 1 minute Although its exact origin is unknown, devil’s trumpet — otherwise known as jimsonweed — is found in many countries around the world in both agricultural and ornamental settings. Introduced to this province as a contaminant of agricultural seed, this smelly weed is under review by the provincial Agriculture Ministry and it has been recommended to […] Read more
Another invader from the buttercup family
Cultivation is not successful and no chemicals are registered for control
Reading Time: < 1 minute Yellow clematis, a perennial vine related to the buttercup family, can become quite invasive if proper precautions are not taken. In Alberta, it has been designated as noxious for this reason. Often purchased, however, from gardening stores as a bedding plant, this weed can spread by wind which can take the seeds far beyond the […] Read more
A weed that prospers on degraded pasture
Noxious Weeds: Hoary alyssum
Reading Time: 2 minutes Thought to be brought to North America as a seed contaminant from Europe, hoary alyssum is toxic to horses and other livestock. It has a variety of life cycles depending on site and weather conditions, which makes this weed tricky to control. A prohibited noxious weed in Alberta, this pest can be easily identified. Hoary […] Read more
This quick-spreading weed gets an early start
Noxious weeds: Canada thistle
Reading Time: < 1 minute Spring brings lovely native flowers, but also noxious weeds. The aggressive perennial Canada thistle is a favourite of disturbed soils of all types. It starts sending shoots from horizontal roots to the surface of soil around mid-April, with flowers to follow in mid-June and continuing throughout the summer. Easy to distinguish from other weeds, this […] Read more
Don’t be fooled by this weed’s pretty flower
Noxious weeds: Field scabious
Reading Time: < 1 minute Field scabious was introduced as an ornamental from Europe and is now taking over roadsides and pastures. It can be found throughout central Alberta and has the ability to invade even undisturbed plant communities, such as hayfields. Once established it is very difficult to control. Flowers can be a purple- to blue-coloured clustered head, resembling […] Read more
Noxious weed found throughout Alberta
Noxious Weeds: Wooly Burdock
Reading Time: < 1 minute Woolly burdock is found throughout Alberta and will grow in most soil types. It prefers moist, loamy, and well-drained soils which are in direct sunlight. This noxious weed is commonly found on disturbed sites, but has also been found growing in gardens for herbal use. Woolly burdock can only reproduce by seed, but is self-fertile […] Read more
This toxic hitchhiker is a threat to livestock
Noxious Weeds: Hound's tongue
Reading Time: < 1 minute Hound’s tongue is a weak competitor and doesn’t do well in healthy rangeland — but it compensates for that by being an excellent hitchhiker. This noxious weed produces up to 4,000 seeds per plant, and each one is barbed and easily attaches itself to clothing or fur. It also produces toxic alkaloids that cause irreversible […] Read more
A wolf in sheep’s clothing
Noxious Weeds: Baby's breath
Reading Time: < 1 minute Many people think of baby’s breath as a cute, delicate filler flower found in rose bouquets. The real plant found in the Prairies couldn’t be further from this image. This weed has a taproot that can reach the astonishing depth of four metres, and it can grow as wide as 41 centimetres in circumference. And […] Read more
Beware of this ornamental escapee
Reading Time: < 1 minute It has a beautiful yellow showy flower, but do not let that fool you — Bighead Knapweed is highly invasive. This invader is a long-lived perennial native in eastern Europe. It produces an abundance of seeds, which have bristles that can easily attach to animal fur. It can be found in flower beds throughout Alberta. […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
