Reading Time: < 1 minute It’s often mistaken for a type of snapdragon, but don’t be fooled by this invader of fields and pastures. Originally brought from Europe as an ornamental, quick-spreading yellow toadflax — a.k.a. wild snapdragon — is found all across North America. It spreads by both seed (up to 5,000 seeds per stem) and its creeping root […] Read more
Don’t be fooled by yellow toadflax’s good looks
This poisonous invader is growing in numbers
Reading Time: < 1 minute Introduced from Europe in the 1600s as an ornamental species, common tansy (sometimes called tangee) has been spotted across central Alberta and its numbers have been on the rise in recent years. The weed is particularly threatening in pasture and riparian habitats, but can also be found in disturbed soils and flower beds. Most livestock […] Read more
Bitter weed a common sight in Alberta
Noxious grassland invader: Tall buttercup
Reading Time: < 1 minute Tall buttercup is often found in Alberta, including in the MD of Lesser Slave River as well as Big Lakes, Yellowhead, Clearwater, and Mountain View counties. This plant contains a bitter, irritating oil that is toxic and can harm grazing livestock, especially cattle. This weed is an invader of wet areas, preferring humus soils, but […] Read more
Mountain invader heading towards us
Reading Time: < 1 minute Orange hawkweed has been spotted in recent years along the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains. It is common in forestry cut blocks and is spreading rapidly down ATV trails and roads. Hawkweed is an extremely invasive plant, with a triple-threat arsenal of reproductive methods. It is not only a prolific seed producer, but has […] Read more
Dame’s rocket, a beautiful but rampant invasive species
Reading Time: < 1 minute It’s beautiful, fragrant, and pollinators love it — but Dame’s rocket can spread at an alarming rate, especially in riparian areas. It is found across Alberta, and there are anecdotal reports this prolific seed producer from the mustard family is becoming more common this year. It’s found quite frequently at old farm sites, but is […] Read more
‘Stinking nightshade’ a deadly menace
Noxious weed is poisonous to livestock and humans
Reading Time: < 1 minute In 2014, black henbane was spotted in Wheatland, Starland and Kneehill counties, and as far north as Lesser Slave River. All parts of this noxious weed are poisonous to livestock and humans. Poisoning can result in impaired vision, convulsions, coma, and death from heart or respiratory failure. Although known as ‘stinking nightshade,’ it does not […] Read more
A highly destructive weed to be feared
Reading Time: < 1 minute Knotweed has been spotted in recent years in Trochu, Sylvan Lake, Leduc, Parkland County, Grande Prairie, Calgary, and Waterton National Park. There has also been a report of visitors to B.C. returning with a clump of roots to transplant into their garden. This prohibited noxious weed is very destructive, and can grow through cracks in […] Read more
Alarm bells ringing in Alberta as invasive mussels move west
The arrival of the devastating invaders in Manitoba has led to mandatory inspections here
Reading Time: 3 minutes Alberta introduced tough new legislation last month requiring mandatory boat inspections — a ramping up of the effort to keep zebra and quagga mussels out of the province. But officials admit that what’s really needed is public buy-in — and a little luck — to keep these devastating waterway invaders at bay. “If we ‘miss […] Read more
Earthworm Invasion! Help stop the spread of these alien invaders
Earthworms may be considered beneficial bugs in agricultural operations, but in Alberta’s forests, these invasive insects can spell trouble
Reading Time: 2 minutes A silent horde of alien invaders are worming their way through the Alberta countryside. These creepy-crawlies came from a world away, and there’s no stopping them now. The best we can hope to do is slow the spread of these invasive earthworms, says the head of the Alberta Worm Invasion Project. “In North American forests, […] Read more
Alberta Invasive Species Council conference
Conference date of March 12 at the Lacombe Memorial Centre
Reading Time: < 1 minute The Alberta Invasive Species Council conference and AGM takes place March 12 at the Lacombe Memorial Centre. Topics include stopping aquatic invasives in Alberta, herbicide research for invasive weed control, working with industry to stop baby’s breath, and Russian olive invasiveness. The keynote address will look at what makes invasive species initiatives successful. The cost, […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
