Web Site Created by Amy Lerch and Travis Ziehl
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Weed Terminology and Definitions
So what does it mean when a weed is termed noxious or invasive, or native, or non-native? We will try to clarify these and other terms that are commonly associated with the management of 'weedy' plant species.
Weed - a plant growing where it is not desired, that negatively impacts the management objectives of a given area.
Noxious Weed - a plant designated by a government entity as detrimental to the public in any number of ways including but not limited to; agriculture damage, habitat reduction, natural resource conservation issues, or health concerns both direct and indirect. A noxious weed is very often an introduced species with invasive qualities.
Invasive Weed - an aggressive plant species that spreads into habitats, creates monocultures, and displaces other more desirable vegetation. These can be both native species or more commonly, introduced species. They may or may not be noxious weeds.
Introduced Weed - this term is loosely associated with weeds that are introduced to North America from a different continent. This term less frequently is used to describe weeds that are not native to a particular region. These weeds can be noxious and may or may not be invasive. (other terms that can be associated with introduced weeds are; non-native weed, exotic species, and alien plant species)
Native Weed - a plant that is native to a particular area but, still interferes with the management objectives of that area and is therefore undesirable. These are never introduced and are occasionally noxious.
Native Plant - a plant that is naturally occurring and more often than not, is desirable for its value to the biodiversity of its native range.
Ornamental Plant/Weed - a plant that is grown for its aesthetic value. This describes a wide variety of plants that can sometimes be very dangerous noxious weeds, introduced weeds, and/or invasive species that have damaging impacts. (an example- oxeye daisy)
Designated Weed - in the State of Wyoming this refers to a weed that has been determined to be detrimental to the entire State by the Wyoming Weed & Pest Council and the Wyoming Department of Agriculture. These weeds are on the State's Designated List. All of these 25 weed species are considered noxious, most are introduced and invasive.
Declared Weed - in Teton County this refers to a list of weeds that have been determined to be detrimental to this district by Teton County Weed & Pest District's Board, and approved by the Wyoming Weed & Pest Council and the Wyoming Department of Agriculture. These weeds are found on Teton County's Declared List. All of these 16 weed species are considered noxious, invasive, and introduced.
Integrated Weed Management - this refers to a systematic approach to managing weeds, using multiple methods and techniques to control weeds. This includes preventing infestations, early detection and rapid response, and the use of multiple control strategies that increase the stress on the targeted weed species and reduce the impacts to other areas or species.
Integrated Weed Management Plan - this refers to the development of long-term management strategies for a given area, that includes; mapping/ creating an inventory, prioritizing weed management concerns, choosing integrated weed management techniques to control infestations, long-term commitment, reevaluating successes/failures, and flexibility to adapt using the latest techniques and strategies.
Please contact tziehl@tcweed.org for any questions, comments, or further definitions
