Invasive Weeds on the Middle Fork Snoqualmie

Invasive Weeds on the Invasive Weeds on the Middle Fork SnoqualmieMiddle Fork Snoqualmie

Sasha ShawSasha ShawEducation SpecialistEducation Specialist

King County Noxious Weed ProgramKing County Noxious Weed Program

AgendaAgenda

Weed DefinitionsWeed Definitions Middle Fork Weed PrioritiesMiddle Fork Weed Priorities Priority Weeds Present in the WatershedPriority Weeds Present in the Watershed

Class A and B Noxious WeedsClass A and B Noxious Weeds Other Priority Invasive WeedsOther Priority Invasive Weeds

Other Widespread Weeds and Lower Other Widespread Weeds and Lower Priority Plants Present but not SurveyedPriority Plants Present but not Surveyed

Noxious Weeds Threatening to InvadeNoxious Weeds Threatening to Invade

What is an Invasive Weed? What is an Invasive Weed?

Invasive knotweed is one of the toughest plants to control and damages some of the highest quality habitats

Introduced / non-nativeIntroduced / non-native Ability to out-compete Ability to out-compete

native plantsnative plants Lack of predators or Lack of predators or

natural controlsnatural controls Ability to modify local Ability to modify local

ecologyecology Aggressive ability to Aggressive ability to

reproducereproduce

What is a Noxious Weed?What is a Noxious Weed?

Non-native plant that impacts Non-native plant that impacts agriculture, wildlife, human health, agriculture, wildlife, human health, land values or natural resourcesland values or natural resources

Defined and regulated by state law Defined and regulated by state law (RCW 17.10)(RCW 17.10) county lists are chosen from the state listcounty lists are chosen from the state list regulated in parts of the stateregulated in parts of the state

where they have limited distributionwhere they have limited distribution

What are the Weed Classes?What are the Weed Classes?

Class A WeedsClass A Weeds – new invaders, control – new invaders, control required statewide, still a chance to eradicaterequired statewide, still a chance to eradicate

Class B and C DesignatesClass B and C Designates – control required in – control required in King County, still have a chance to stop them King County, still have a chance to stop them from getting establishedfrom getting established

Non-Designates and Weeds of ConcernNon-Designates and Weeds of Concern – – widespread invasive weeds in King County, widespread invasive weeds in King County, control not required but definitely a good idea control not required but definitely a good idea whenever possible!whenever possible!

Middle Fork Snoqualmie Weed Middle Fork Snoqualmie Weed PrioritiesPriorities

King County Noxious WeedsKing County Noxious Weeds Class A’s, B-designates, and C-selectsClass A’s, B-designates, and C-selects Non-designates and Weeds of Concern that Non-designates and Weeds of Concern that

are limited in distribution and still controllableare limited in distribution and still controllable Non-native species newly introduced or Non-native species newly introduced or

not previously reported in the valleynot previously reported in the valley Excluded from the survey: species that Excluded from the survey: species that

are already pervasive in the valley and are already pervasive in the valley and unlikely to be controlled valley-wideunlikely to be controlled valley-wide

Middle Fork Snoqualmie Weed Middle Fork Snoqualmie Weed Surveys Completed 2005 and 2006Surveys Completed 2005 and 2006 Roadsides (10 ft in on both sides)Roadsides (10 ft in on both sides)

Farther in where disturbance or weed Farther in where disturbance or weed infestations were observedinfestations were observed

Disturbed SitesDisturbed Sites Quarries, cut banks, logging landingsQuarries, cut banks, logging landings Camping sites, pullouts, trailheads, parking Camping sites, pullouts, trailheads, parking

lotslots Open talus fields, stream crossingsOpen talus fields, stream crossings River by raft and river bars on footRiver by raft and river bars on foot

Priority Weeds Identified in the Priority Weeds Identified in the Middle Fork ValleyMiddle Fork Valley

Himalayan and Himalayan and Evergreen BlackberryEvergreen Blackberry

Bohemian KnotweedBohemian Knotweed Scotch BroomScotch Broom Reed Canary GrassReed Canary Grass English HollyEnglish Holly English IvyEnglish Ivy Butterfly BushButterfly Bush Tansy Ragwort*Tansy Ragwort* Yellow Hawkweed*Yellow Hawkweed*

Canada ThistleCanada Thistle Hedge BindweedHedge Bindweed Common TansyCommon Tansy Yellow ArchangelYellow Archangel Yellow Flag IrisYellow Flag Iris European Mountain-AshEuropean Mountain-Ash Spotted Knapweed*Spotted Knapweed* Bittersweet NightshadeBittersweet Nightshade Poison-hemlockPoison-hemlock

Listed in order of total area found. Weeds with * are designated for control in King County.

Class A and B Noxious Class A and B Noxious WeedsWeeds

(Please notify the county noxious (Please notify the county noxious weed program if these are found)weed program if these are found)

Tansy Ragwort (Tansy Ragwort (Senecio jacobaeaSenecio jacobaea))

First year rosettes have round-lobed leaves, reddish stems

Flowering stems are 1-6 ft tall with clusters of yellow, daisy flowers

Flowers June to October. Seeds are viable for 10 to 16 years.

Class B Noxious Weed

Tansy Ragwort (Tansy Ragwort (Senecio jacobaeaSenecio jacobaea))

Yellow HawkweedYellow Hawkweed ((Hieracium caespitosumHieracium caespitosum))

FlowersFlowers: Yellow, in tight clusters: Yellow, in tight clusters

LeavesLeaves: Hairy on top and bottom, : Hairy on top and bottom, glandular and stellate hairsglandular and stellate hairs

RootsRoots: stoloniferous, rhizomatous: stoloniferous, rhizomatous

Non-native HawkweedsNon-native Hawkweeds Stiff hairs on stems, leavesStiff hairs on stems, leaves Basal rosette of spatula Basal rosette of spatula

shaped leavesshaped leaves Small flowers, often in tight Small flowers, often in tight

clusters near tops of stemsclusters near tops of stems Flower buds and bracts Flower buds and bracts

covered with black hairscovered with black hairs StolonsStolons

Black hairs on flower buds

Yellow HawkweedYellow Hawkweed((Hieracium caespitosumHieracium caespitosum))

Rosettes: Rosettes: March-AprilMarch-April

Bolting: April-Bolting: April-early Juneearly June

Flowers: May-Flowers: May-JulyJuly

Seeding: July to Seeding: July to SeptemberSeptember

Native White Hawkweed: Native White Hawkweed: ((Hieracium albiflorum)Hieracium albiflorum)

Spotted Knapweed (Spotted Knapweed (Centaurea stoebeCentaurea stoebe)) Grows 3 - 5 feet tall, perennialGrows 3 - 5 feet tall, perennial Pink to purple flowers, on the tips of Pink to purple flowers, on the tips of

stem branchesstem branches Floral bracts tipped with dark fringeFloral bracts tipped with dark fringe

Bolting: April to JulyBolting: April to July Flowering: May to OctoberFlowering: May to October Seeding: August to OctoberSeeding: August to October

Spotted Knapweed CloseupsSpotted Knapweed Closeups

Other Priority Invasive Other Priority Invasive Weeds in the MFWeeds in the MF

Himalayan BlackberryHimalayan Blackberry((Rubus discolorRubus discolor))

Himalayan BlackberryHimalayan Blackberry((Rubus armeniacus, R. discolorRubus armeniacus, R. discolor) )

Evergreen BlackberryEvergreen Blackberry((Rubus laciniatusRubus laciniatus))

http://www.biopix.dk

http://www.nic.funet.fi

Good Guy Look-Alike:Good Guy Look-Alike:Native Trailing Blackberry (Native Trailing Blackberry (Rubus ursinusRubus ursinus))

Bohemian KnotweedBohemian Knotweed((Polygonum bohemicumPolygonum bohemicum))

Hollow, upright, bamboo like stems often reddish or red-speckled

Typical stand of Bohemian knotweed

Japanese KnotweedJapanese Knotweed((Polygonum cuspidatumPolygonum cuspidatum))

Giant KnotweedGiant Knotweed((Polygonum sachalinensePolygonum sachalinense))

Giant knotweed in early spring with last year’s dead stems

Large leaves give giant knotweed its common name elephant ear bamboo

Bohemian knotweed hybrid with seeds

Knotweed rapidly spreads along rivers as Knotweed rapidly spreads along rivers as fragments get moved by floods and grow into new fragments get moved by floods and grow into new clones downriverclones downriver

Knotweed Invasion on RiversKnotweed Invasion on Rivers

Scotch Broom (Scotch Broom (Cytisus scopariusCytisus scoparius))

Scotch BroomScotch Broom (Cytisus scoparius) (Cytisus scoparius)

Scotch broom removal with weed wrenches

Butterfly Bush (Butterfly Bush (Buddleia davidiiBuddleia davidii))

Leaves gray green above and white and Leaves gray green above and white and fuzzy on the underside, finely toothed on fuzzy on the underside, finely toothed on marginsmargins

Can grow 5 to 8 feet in a single seasonCan grow 5 to 8 feet in a single season

Butterfly Bush (Butterfly Bush (Buddleia davidiiBuddleia davidii))

Butterfly bush has invaded along the Tolt RiverButterfly bush has invaded along the Tolt River

Seedlings Seedlings thrive in open thrive in open sandy soilsandy soil

Common Tansy (Tanacetum vulgare) Common Tansy (Tanacetum vulgare)

Button-like flowers are clustered at top of plant

Leaves are fern-like with sharply toothed edges and a strong odor

Bittersweet Nightshade (Bittersweet Nightshade (Solanum dulcamaraSolanum dulcamara))

http://oregonstate.edu/dept/nursery-weeds

Bittersweet NightshadeBittersweet Nightshade ( (Solanum dulcamaraSolanum dulcamara))

Bittersweet NightshadeBittersweet Nightshade

Hedge BindweedHedge Bindweed((Calystegia sepiumCalystegia sepium))

Canada Thistle (Canada Thistle (Cirsium arvenseCirsium arvense))

Canada Thistle (Canada Thistle (Cirsium arvenseCirsium arvense))

Spreads by seed to new sites

Spreads underground to form dense infestations in sunny fields

University of Wisconsin

Native ThistlesNative Thistles

Cirsium brevistylumCirsium brevistylumCirsium eduleCirsium edule

Poison Hemlock (Poison Hemlock (Conium maculatumConium maculatum))

6 to 10 feet tall in 26 to 10 feet tall in 2ndnd year year

• Stems round Stems round and hollow, and hollow, with purplish with purplish blotchesblotches

• Acutely toxic Acutely toxic when ingested; when ingested; causes skin causes skin irritationirritation

Leaves ferny, parsley-likeLeaves ferny, parsley-like

Poison HemlockPoison Hemlock

http://www.uwyo.edu/CES/WYOWEED/

European Mountain-ashEuropean Mountain-ash((Sorbus aucupariaSorbus aucuparia))

Native Mountain-ash (Native Mountain-ash (Sorbus sitchensisSorbus sitchensis))

English Holly (English Holly (Ilex aquifoliumIlex aquifolium))

Tree 15 to 50 feet tall and Tree 15 to 50 feet tall and 15 feet wide15 feet wide

Bark smooth and grayBark smooth and gray

Leaves glossy, persistent, Leaves glossy, persistent, dark green, wavy and dark green, wavy and spinyspiny

Flowers are small and Flowers are small and whitewhite

Berries are bright red or Berries are bright red or orange and found in small orange and found in small bundles like the flowersbundles like the flowers

English or Atlantic IvyEnglish or Atlantic Ivy((Hedera hibernica, H. helixHedera hibernica, H. helix))

Ivy leaves are evergreen, lobed, dull green, with light veinsIvy leaves are evergreen, lobed, dull green, with light veins

English or Atlantic IvyEnglish or Atlantic Ivy((Hedera hibernica, H. helixHedera hibernica, H. helix))

• mature ivy mature ivy leaves are shiny leaves are shiny green and not green and not lobedlobed

• umbrella-like umbrella-like clusters of clusters of greenish-white greenish-white flowers in the fallflowers in the fall

• black, berry-like black, berry-like fruit in winter, fruit in winter, seeds mature in seeds mature in springspring

Yellow ArchangelYellow ArchangelLamiastrum galeobdolon Lamiastrum galeobdolon (a.k.a.(a.k.a. Lamium Lamium))

Small yellow mint-type Small yellow mint-type flowers in leaf axilsflowers in leaf axils Slivery markings on leaves of this popular garden Slivery markings on leaves of this popular garden

plant make it easy to spot invading into shady forestsplant make it easy to spot invading into shady forests

Yellow Archangel: Big Finn Hill ParkYellow Archangel: Big Finn Hill Park

Yellow Flag IrisYellow Flag Iris ((Iris pseudacorusIris pseudacorus))

Class C Noxious Weed – Control Not Required

Yellow Flag IrisYellow Flag Iris ((Iris pseudacorusIris pseudacorus))

Young shoots

Invading a river bank


Loose leaf sheath

LargeLargeliguleligule

Reed Canarygrass (Reed Canarygrass (Phalaris arundinaceaPhalaris arundinacea)) Tall rhizomatous Tall rhizomatous

grass, 3 to 6 feetgrass, 3 to 6 feet Sturdy, hollow Sturdy, hollow

stems, sometimes stems, sometimes reddish near topreddish near top

Loose leaf sheathLoose leaf sheath Leaf blades flat, no Leaf blades flat, no

hairs, to ¾ inch widehairs, to ¾ inch wide Large liguleLarge ligule Leaves come off Leaves come off

stem at 45 degree stem at 45 degree angleangle

Reed Canarygrass IdentificationReed Canarygrass Identification

Flowers June-July Flowers June-July Flowers on 3 to 7 inch Flowers on 3 to 7 inch

long clusters high above long clusters high above leavesleaves

Flowers clusters are Flowers clusters are branched and branched and compressed into a spike-compressed into a spike-type shapetype shape

Reddish colored rhizomeReddish colored rhizome Forms dense stands, Forms dense stands,

excluding other plants and excluding other plants and filling in small waterways, filling in small waterways, blocking fish passage and blocking fish passage and increasing floodingincreasing flooding

http://popgen.unimaas.nl/~jlindsey/commanster

Other Common Weeds and Garden Other Common Weeds and Garden Escapees Present but not SurveyedEscapees Present but not Surveyed

(too pervasive for control or not of immediate concern)(too pervasive for control or not of immediate concern)

Bull ThistleBull Thistle Common FoxgloveCommon Foxglove Herb Robert/Robert’s GeraniumHerb Robert/Robert’s Geranium Common St. JohnswortCommon St. Johnswort Oxeye DaisyOxeye Daisy Creeping ButtercupCreeping Buttercup Hawksbeard, Hairy Cat’s Ear and Common Hawksbeard, Hairy Cat’s Ear and Common

DandelionDandelion Other Weeds and Garden EscapeesOther Weeds and Garden Escapees

Bull Thistle (Cirsium vulgare)Bull Thistle (Cirsium vulgare)

Large spines on stems, leaves and under the flower head

Bull Thistle (Cirsium vulgare)Bull Thistle (Cirsium vulgare)

Foxglove (Foxglove (Digitalis purpureaDigitalis purpurea))

http://www.hlasek.com

Herb Robert (a.k.a. Stinky Bob)Herb Robert (a.k.a. Stinky Bob)((Geranium robertianumGeranium robertianum))

Shallow roots make this plant easy to pull but seeds germinate all season so repeat visits to the same location are needed.

Herb Robert (a.k.a. Stinky Bob)Herb Robert (a.k.a. Stinky Bob)

Stinky Bob InvasionStinky Bob Invasion

Forests near Skykomish are losing their native understory to stinky bob.Forests near Skykomish are losing their native understory to stinky bob.

St. Johnswort (St. Johnswort (Hypericum perforatumHypericum perforatum))

St. Johnswort (St. Johnswort (Hypericum perforatumHypericum perforatum))

http://tncweeds.ucdavis.edu/photos/hyppe01.jpg

Oxeye Daisy (Oxeye Daisy (Leucanthemum vulgareLeucanthemum vulgare))

Oxeye DaisyOxeye Daisy((Leucanthemum vulgareLeucanthemum vulgare))

Creeping Buttercup (Creeping Buttercup (Ranunculus repensRanunculus repens))

Tall Buttercup (Tall Buttercup (Ranunculus acrisRanunculus acris))

Hawksbeard (Hawksbeard (Crepis capillarisCrepis capillaris))

Cat’s Ear or False Dandelion Cat’s Ear or False Dandelion ((Hypochaeris radicataHypochaeris radicata))

Nipplewort (Nipplewort (Lapsana communisLapsana communis))

Wall Lettuce (Wall Lettuce (Lactuca muralisLactuca muralis))

Prickly Lettuce (Lactuca serriola)Prickly Lettuce (Lactuca serriola)

http://sanangelo.tamu.edu/agronomy

Woodland Groundsel (Woodland Groundsel (Senecio sylvaticusSenecio sylvaticus))

Curly Dock (Curly Dock (Rumex crispusRumex crispus))

Reddish or greenish flowers in a long, Reddish or greenish flowers in a long, slender, branching cluster at the top of a slender, branching cluster at the top of a stem bearing leaves with very wavy marginsstem bearing leaves with very wavy margins

Curly Dock (Curly Dock (Rumex crispusRumex crispus))

Broadleaf Dock (Broadleaf Dock (Rumex obtusifoliusRumex obtusifolius))

New foliage emerges from the crown, New foliage emerges from the crown, tightly rolled and erect.tightly rolled and erect.

Can grow 3 to 4 feet tall and wideCan grow 3 to 4 feet tall and wide

Periwinkle (Periwinkle (Vinca minorVinca minor))

http://www.aphotoflora.com

http://hflp.sdstate.edu/ho311/outdoor_images

Russian ComfreyRussian Comfrey((Symphytum Symphytum X X uplandicum uplandicum oror S. peregrinum) S. peregrinum)

Russian ComfreyRussian Comfrey

Native Plant Look Alike:Native Plant Look Alike:Tall Bluebells (Tall Bluebells (Mertensia paniculataMertensia paniculata))

Queen Anne’s Lace (Queen Anne’s Lace (Daucus carotaDaucus carota))

Queen Anne’s Lace (Queen Anne’s Lace (Daucus carotaDaucus carota))

Burdock (Burdock (Arctium minusArctium minus))

Devil’s Beggartick (Devil’s Beggartick (Bidens frondosaBidens frondosa))

Creeping WoodsorrelCreeping Woodsorrel((Oxalis corniculataOxalis corniculata))

http://oregonstate.edu/dept/nursery-weeds

Noxious Weeds threatening to Noxious Weeds threatening to Invade (present nearby)Invade (present nearby)

Purple Loosestrife (wetlands, rivers in area)Purple Loosestrife (wetlands, rivers in area) Garden Loosestrife (on Snoqualmie River)Garden Loosestrife (on Snoqualmie River) Policeman’s Helmet (garden sites)Policeman’s Helmet (garden sites) Gorse (forests, fields)Gorse (forests, fields) Orange Hawkweed (meadows, gardens, roads)Orange Hawkweed (meadows, gardens, roads) Common Hawkweed (roadsides)Common Hawkweed (roadsides) Sulfur Cinquefoil (roadsides)Sulfur Cinquefoil (roadsides) Dalmatian Toadflax (roadsides)Dalmatian Toadflax (roadsides) Yellow Toadflax (roads and trails)Yellow Toadflax (roads and trails) Old Man’s Beard (forest edges, trails)Old Man’s Beard (forest edges, trails)

Orange HawkweedOrange Hawkweed ((Hieracium aurantiacumHieracium aurantiacum))

• Flowers orange, Flowers orange, in tight clustersin tight clusters• Stems leafless Stems leafless with black hairswith black hairs• From a few From a few inches to 2 feet tallinches to 2 feet tall• Reproduces by Reproduces by seed and runnersseed and runners• Bolts: May-JuneBolts: May-June• Flowers: Late Flowers: Late May to Sep/OctMay to Sep/Oct• Seeds: Late Seeds: Late June to Fall June to Fall


Tall HawkweedTall Hawkweed((Hieracium piloselloidesHieracium piloselloides))

Class C Noxious Weed – Control Required

Common HawkweedCommon Hawkweed((Hieracium lachenalii)Hieracium lachenalii)

Leaves Leaves coarsely coarsely toothedtoothed

Leaves larger at Leaves larger at base and base and smaller up the smaller up the stemstem

Flower heads Flower heads more loosely more loosely clustered than clustered than yellow yellow hawkweedhawkweed

No stolonsNo stolons Bolts in MayBolts in May Flowering May Flowering May

to Augustto August

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Hieracium_species

Class C Noxious Weed – Control Required

Purple Loosestrife Purple Loosestrife ((Lythrum salicariaLythrum salicaria))

Key characteristics:• perennial rhizomatous emergent with showy magenta flower spikes • stems are square and branched• leaves opposite, long and narrow • up to 2.5 million tiny seeds/plant• flowers July and August


Purple Loosestrife Purple Loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria)(Lythrum salicaria)


Garden LoosestrifeGarden Loosestrife((Lysimachia vulgarisLysimachia vulgaris))

Sepals have distinct orange margins


Yellow, primrose-like flowers clustered near top of the plant

Garden LoosestrifeGarden Loosestrife((Lysimachia vulgarisLysimachia vulgaris) )


Policeman’s Helmet (Policeman’s Helmet (Impatiens glanduliferaImpatiens glandulifera))

Annual with fleshy, reddish stems, 3-10 ft tall, flowers resemble English policeman’s helmet, vary in color from white to dark pink-purple


Policeman’s Helmet (Policeman’s Helmet (Impatiens glanduliferaImpatiens glandulifera))

Can grow to 10 feet tall in one season

Often found invading along creeks


Emerges: April to MayEmerges: April to May

Flowers: Late May to SeptemberFlowers: Late May to September

Seeds: August to OctoberSeeds: August to October

Sulfur CinquefoilSulfur Cinquefoil((Potentilla recta)Potentilla recta)


Dalmatian Toadflax (Dalmatian Toadflax (Linaria dalmaticaLinaria dalmatica)) Leaves bluish-green Leaves bluish-green

with waxy coating, with waxy coating, heart-shapedheart-shaped

Flowers bright yellow Flowers bright yellow tinged with orange, tinged with orange, like snapdragon like snapdragon flowersflowers

Bolts: April-Bolts: April-JuneJune

Flowers: Flowers: May-SeptMay-Sept

Seeds: Aug-Seeds: Aug-SeptSept


Yellow Toadflax (Yellow Toadflax (Linaria vulgarisLinaria vulgaris))

Perennial, 1 to 2.5 feet tall

Flowers yellow, smaller than Dalmatian flowers

May to September Leaves: Small,

narrow, linear, pale green


Gorse (Gorse (Ulex europaeusUlex europaeus))

Budding: Feb-MarchBudding: Feb-March Flowers: March-MayFlowers: March-May Seeds: June-JulySeeds: June-July


Gorse invading a King County forestGorse invading a King County forest

Old Man’s BeardOld Man’s Beard((Clematis vitalbaClematis vitalba))


Old Man’s Beard or Wild ClematisOld Man’s Beard or Wild Clematis

Old Man’s Beard covering trees at Magnuson Park

Old Man’s Beard on trees in Ravenna Park


King County Noxious Weed King County Noxious Weed Control Program WebsiteControl Program Website

http://kingcounty.gov/weedsWeed Photo Page:

Search by Common Name or Latin Name

Click thumbnail picture of plant

Sasha ShawSasha Shaw King County Noxious Weed ProgramKing County Noxious Weed Program

201 South Jackson St, Suite 600201 South Jackson St, Suite 600Seattle, WA 98104Seattle, WA 98104

[email protected]@kingcounty.govwww.kingcounty.gov/weeds www.kingcounty.gov/weeds

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Invasive Weeds on the Middle Fork Snoqualmie