Author | Lightnews

Washington State Noxious Weed Control Board @wastateweedboard.bsky.social · Sep 19

Palmer amaranth, Amaranthus palmeri, is a weed that causes massive losses to crop yields. It was recently found in certain Safeway bird seeds. These bags are now being recalled!

See WSDA's news release for more information:
agr.wa.gov/about-wsda/n...

#pnw #agriculture #birds #invasiveplants

Photo of a green leafy plant on top of blocks of text, which read: News Release. Washington and Oregon issue recall for wild birdseed containing invasive quarantined weed seeds. Read the news release at agr.wa.gov . Washington State Department of Agriculture.

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Washington State Noxious Weed Control Board @wastateweedboard.bsky.social · Sep 11

Check out these model junior weed warriors! Spotted at the haul-out for kayaks going down the Deschutes River in Oregon, these two young ladies had recently harvested three bags of invasive knapweed. We absolutely love when the next generation helps spread the word about invasive species!

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Washington State Noxious Weed Control Board @wastateweedboard.bsky.social · Sep 2

Silverleaf nightshade, Solanum elaeagnifolium, is a rare Class A noxious weed in Washington. It is toxic to eat, and causes a lot of negative impacts to crop yields. If you see it, report it to your county weed board!
#pnw #agriculture #invasiveplants

Close up photo of a star-shaped purple flower with 5 yellow stamens in the middle.

Photo of many silvery-green plants growing amongst brown grass.

Photo of a yellow cherry tomato-looking berry growing on a silvery-green stem with silvery-green leaves.
Photo by Joseph M DiTomaso, University of California - Davis.

Photo of a purple star-shaped flower with 5 yellow stamens in the center, growing on the top of a lightly spiny silvery-green stem with silvery green leaves that also have a few small spines.
Photo by Joseph M DiTomaso, University of California - Davis.

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Washington State Noxious Weed Control Board @wastateweedboard.bsky.social · Aug 29

Bighead knapweed, Centaurea macrocephala, is probably our most recognizable invasive knapweed species. It has big, rounded, yellow flowering heads, and can grow over 5 feet tall!
It can grow in and impact a open areas throughout the state, from croplands to sub-alpine meadows.
#PNW #InvasivePlants

Photo of a leafy green plant with several large, yellow flowers growing at the top of its branched stems.

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Washington State Noxious Weed Control Board @wastateweedboard.bsky.social · Aug 22

There are 4 species of Spartina on our noxious weed list. All invade our intertidal and salty estuary areas. They clone very well, pushing out native species, and impacts our delicate coastal wetlands. Eradication is difficult and expensive, so prevention is the best method!
#PNW #coastal #invasive

Photo of dense flowered cordgrass, Spartina densiflora, growing in a muddy estuary. The grass is tan and growing in tight bunches across the tide flat. Photo by Chad Philips.

Photo of a hand holding some green seeding stalks of common cordgrass, Spartina anglica. Photo by Chad Philips.

Photo of a brown flowering stalk of saltmeadow cordgrass, Spartina patens, held up against a white background. Photo by Chad Philips.

Close-up photo of a round brown stem, where the leaf blade attaches, of smooth cordgrass, Spartina alterniflora.

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Washington State Noxious Weed Control Board @wastateweedboard.bsky.social · Aug 13

Dyer's woad, Isatis tinctoria, can be used to make an indigo-colored dye. It escaped cultivation and can be found pushing out desired plants in open and forested areas. It is allelopathic, meaning it changes the soil to make other plants growth more difficult.
#invasivePlants #pnw #conservation

Photo of a plant with long green stalks and a mass of small yellow flowers on top, growing in a grassy field.

Close up photo of tiny yellow flowers on very tiny light green stalks.

Photo of the underside of a light green leaf growing from a stalk.

Photo of a cloud of tiny yellow flowers, with thin green stems out of focus behind them.

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Washington State Noxious Weed Control Board @wastateweedboard.bsky.social · Aug 8

Ricefield bulrush (Schoenoplectus mucronatus) is an invasive wetland plant, which is especially bad for rice fields (very surprising with that name!) especially because of its herbicide resistances. It is very close to being eradicated in Washington!
#agriculture #wetlands #pnw #invasivePlants

Photo of a grass-looking plant with a bundle of cone-shaped inflorescences coming from the triangular stem.

Photo of a grass-looking plant, which is growing in an open wet area.

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Washington State Noxious Weed Control Board @wastateweedboard.bsky.social · Jul 31

Meadow clary, Salvia pratensis, is a Class A noxious weed in Washington State. It invades rangeland and sagebrush steppe in Eastern Washington, outcompeting native plants and reducing forage for wild animals and livestock.

#InvasiveSpecies #PNW #weeds #agriculture #cattle #environment

Close up photo of several tiny purple stems covered in small purple flowers, with green leaves in the background.
Photo by Larry Hudson, Okanogan County Noxious Weed Control Board

Zoomed out photo of the plant from the other pictures, showing the green to green-yellow leaves and long stems covered in small purple flowers, growing in a rocky open area.
Photo by Larry Hudson, Okanogan County Noxious Weed Control Board

Zoomed in photo of the leaves of the plant from the other pictures. The leaves are green, have rounded teeth around the edges, and look slightly wrinkled.
Photo by Larry Hudson, Okanogan County Noxious Weed Control Board.

Photo of the flowers from the other pictures, with a blue sky behind them. The flowers are slightly older and a lighter purple than the other pictures.
Photo by Larry Hudson, Okanogan County Noxious Weed Control Board.

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Washington State Noxious Weed Control Board @wastateweedboard.bsky.social · Jul 23

Our partners at the Washington Invasive Species Council have a big update on their app for reporting invasive species! Be a citizen scientist and help Washington protect our natural treasures by reporting invasive species when you see them!
invasivespecies.wa.gov/report-a-sig...
#PNW #ecology

Photo of someone holding a phone with an image of an invasive insect, the Spotted Lantern Fly, on the screen. Text reads "Exciting new update for our app! For both Android and iOS! Check it Out!

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Washington State Noxious Weed Control Board @wastateweedboard.bsky.social · Jul 17

Common Ivy (Hedera helix & H. hibernica) have been on Washington's Noxious Weed List since 2002. They are now on our prohibited plants list too! That means they are no longer allowed to be sold here!
To learn more about the listing process: kingcountyweeds.com/2023/10/18/n...
#PNW #invasiveplants

Photo of a hillside of common ivy, with the trees at the top completely strangled by the ivy climbing up them.

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Washington State Noxious Weed Control Board @wastateweedboard.bsky.social · Jul 9

Orange peel clematis, Clematis orientalis, is a vine that has the potential to be the Kudzu of the Pacific Northwest! The only known infestations of it are in Yakima county and are currently well on their way to being eradicated. Help us keep Washington orange peel clematis free by reporting it!

Photo of a yellow flower with 4 large petals and several stamens around the center. In the background are a tangle of green vines and narrow leaves.

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Washington State Noxious Weed Control Board @wastateweedboard.bsky.social · Jul 3

Kudzu, Pueraria montana var. lobata, is also known as the weed that ate the south. The few times it has been found in Washington it has luckily been found and eradicated. Help us keep Washington kudzu free by keeping an eye out and reporting if you see it!

#pnw #invasiveplants #edrr

Photo of a conical bundle of several bright pink pea flowers with yellow spots.

Photo of several bright green leaves. Each is shaped like a duck's foot.

Photo of a huge amount of vines climbing and strangling a tree.

Photo of the pink flowers from the first image in this set, next to the duck-foot-shaped leaves from the second photo.

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Washington State Noxious Weed Control Board @wastateweedboard.bsky.social · Jun 20

Texas blueweed, Helianthus ciliaris, is a small sunflower with a blue-ish hue to the leaves and stems. Though it is native to parts of North America, it is invasive in Washington, where it particularly impacts agriculture.

#PNW #InvasiveSpecies #sunflowers #botany

Close up photo of a small sunflower, with bright yellow ray flowers making the petals around a dark red circle of disk flowers.

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Washington State Noxious Weed Control Board @wastateweedboard.bsky.social · Jun 11

Thistles can be difficult to tell apart!
Slenderflower thistle (Carduus tenuiflorus), a Class A Noxious Weed, are VERY spiny, tall, and have relatively small flower heads while also producing many flower heads on the top of each spiky stem.
They degrade open grassy and pasture areas.
#PNW #Invasive

Photo of a very spiny plant with many frilly pink flowers clustered at the tops of spiny stems, standing in a green field.
Photo by Thurston County Noxious Weed Control Board

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Washington State Noxious Weed Control Board @wastateweedboard.bsky.social · Jun 6

In Washington it is illegal to transport invasive species, even by watercraft! For Clean, Drain, Dry Week, learn how to clean your watercraft between sites and protect Washington from invasive aquatic plants like Eurasian Watermilfoil.
invasivespecies.wa.gov/campaigns/cl...
#boating #kayaking #PNW

Photo of a frilly plant that is fully submerged underwater. Each stem is long, thin, and flowing.

Photo of the same frilly plant, this time laid on a dry white background. The stem is long and thin.

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Washington State Noxious Weed Control Board @wastateweedboard.bsky.social · May 28

There are 3 species of invasive jewelweed on our noxious weed list, but there are also several native species of jewelweeds! Jewelweeds like to grow in wet areas, so check out your local wetland or riparian area for these species.

#PNW #invasivespecies #botany #conservation #habitat #biology

Infographic on how to identify different species of jewelweed.

The left column of images images are of bright yellow trumpet-shaped flowers, labeled "Native species. Impatiens aurella, pale yellow touch me not. Impatiens ecornuta, spurless touch-me-not. Impatiens noli-tangere, Western touch-me-not."

The right column is labeled "Non-native species" and starts with an image of a pink trumpet shaped flower labeled "Class B: Impatiens gladulifera, policeman's helmet"
a pale yellow cone/trumpet shaped flower labeled "Class A: Impatiens parviflora, small-flowered touch-me-not"
a pink and white trumpet-shaped flower labeled "Impatiens balfourii, Kashmir balsam"
and a dark yellow and orange trumpet-shaped flower labeled "Class C: Spotted jewelweed, Impatiens capensis"

There are arrows pointing from the spotted jewelweed and the spurless touch-me-not and pointing to text that says "Hybrid Impatiens x pacifica".

Photos by Peter Zika

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Washington State Noxious Weed Control Board @wastateweedboard.bsky.social · May 20

Happy World Bee Day!
While weed flowers can provide for pollinators, native plants can support a larger diversity of insects, including over 600 native Washington bee species!
#WorldBeeDay #agriculture #gardening #forestry #biodiversity #nativeplants

Macro photo of a fluffy yellow and black bumblebee on a bright yellow sunflower.

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Washington State Noxious Weed Control Board @wastateweedboard.bsky.social · May 14

Visit us, and lots of other organizations, on Wolf Haven International's prairie this Saturday, May 17th!
Learn about South Puget Sound prairies, endangered species, habitat restoration, and get exclusive access to a beautiful trail surrounded by flowers.
wolfhaven.org/events/
#PNW

Photo of a very large old growth Douglas fir, with very unusually angled huge branches.

Photo of a field of wildflowers, golden paintbrush in the foreground, with a variety of yellow and purple species in the background

Photo of a field of wildflowers. Western buttercup in the foreground with a sea of purple camas in the background

Photo of a trail through a field of wildflowers, which are all lavender-colored camas.

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Washington State Noxious Weed Control Board @wastateweedboard.bsky.social · May 8

Common crupina (Crupina vulgaris) is a Washington State and Federally listed noxious weed. Their stems are inedible to livestock and wildlife, so they greatly degrade habitat and pasture when they form large infestations. These infestations also cause erosion.
#invasivespecies #ecology #ranching

Macro photo of a small frilly purple flower and two green flower buds being held up to the camera. Photo by Rich Old.

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Washington State Noxious Weed Control Board @wastateweedboard.bsky.social · Apr 29

The Washington Invasive Species Council is holding the first ever Puget Sound Invasive Species and Exotic Pest Workshop.

This will be a valuable opportunity for professionals and the interested public to network, cross-train, and learn from their peers. Info:
invasivespecies.wa.gov/event/puget-...

Image of a flyer for an event. The event is an Invasive Species Workshop on May 14th, in Puyallup Washington. It costs $15 to attend and will provide 5 WSDA pesticide credits.
In the center of the flyer is an aerial photo of Puget Sound, with several tree-covered islands and peninsulas in the foreground and a snow-covered mountain in the distance.

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Washington State Noxious Weed Control Board @wastateweedboard.bsky.social · Apr 18

We are holding a free hands-on herbicide training course!

It will be at the beautiful Lakewold Gardens on May 13th.

Attendees can get 5 WSDA herbicide recertification credits. We only have room for 13 more people in the room, so register now!
forms.gle/sudTX15VVGJs...

#washingtonstate #workshop

Photo of 2 yellow flowers close to the camera, with a huge field of these yellow flowering shrubs behind it, leading into a vast empty field and a blue sky.

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Washington State Noxious Weed Control Board @wastateweedboard.bsky.social · Apr 9

Poison hemlock (Conium maculatum), the plant that was used to kill Socrates, is in its rosette stage right now! That means it is the perfect time to use gloves to pull up the whole taproot!

#invasivespecies #invasiveplants #noxiousweeds #toxic #poison #botany #livestock #gardening

$Photo of a low plant growing in a bunch on the ground. The leaves are green, very frilly, and make fractal triangles.$ Photo of a round green stalk with purple blotches and spots.

Photo of a round green stalk with purple blotches and spots.

$Close up photo of a green leaf that looks like spikey parsley. The leaves are very frilly and divide into many leaflets that are all like fractal triangles.$ Photo of a stand of plants with small bunches of tiny white flowers on the ends of light green (with purple blotches) stalks, with a backdrop of darker green frilly leaves.

Photo of a stand of plants with small bunches of tiny white flowers on the ends of light green (with purple blotches) stalks, with a backdrop of darker green frilly leaves.

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Washington State Noxious Weed Control Board @wastateweedboard.bsky.social · Mar 28

A lot of research goes into determining if a biocontrol can be safely released.

NAISMA has factsheets on all approved biocontrols and their target species!
naisma.org/nais.../bioc...

Biocontrol Factsheets - NAISMA

Are you a manager or landowners interested in weed biocontrol? These factsheets cover invasive plants and their associated biological control agents.

naisma.org

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Washington State Noxious Weed Control Board @wastateweedboard.bsky.social · Mar 28

Biocontrols are organisms (often insects) that help recreate part of an invasive species natural enemies from their original range. They are great options where weed control is difficult and not all weeds have biocontrols.
#biocontrol #InvasiveSpecies #entomology #botany #ecology #weeds

Close up macro photo of a small brown and black beetle with a long nose (a weevil), standing on a green plant.

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Washington State Noxious Weed Control Board @wastateweedboard.bsky.social · Mar 20

It is National Agriculture Week!
Many Noxious Weeds, like Dalmatian toadflax (Linaria dalmatica) cause a lot of harm to agriculture. They invade fields, outcompete crops, and require time and resources to manage.
Help protect Washington's farmers by controlling noxious weeds whenever you can!

Photo of a dry grassland landscape, covered in a smattering of green plants with yellow flowers.
Photo by Jennifer Andreas

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