Weed of the Month

Weed of the Month: Phragmites australis subsp. australis

Phragmites might sound like a small bug, but this towering wetland grass is a big threat to Teton County. Also known as common reed, Phragmites australis subsp. australis is a perennial grass that grows in wet places like marshes, pond edges, ditches, and riparian corridors.To complicate things even more, native subspecies of phragmites (Phragmites australis subsp. americanus) look just like the invasive version and are vital to the health of our environments. Luckily, we’re fighting back with the power of science.

Weed of the Month: Dyer's Woad

This Weed of the Month, we’re covering dyer’s woad. If you’ve ever seen a yellow burst alongside the road or trail, there’s a good chance you were looking at dyer’s woad! This mustard-family invader can start as a low, easy-to-miss rosette, then it quickly shoots up and fills open ground with flowers and seed pods. Timing is essential: once it seeds, it gets a lot harder to stay ahead of; early action is vital to keep this pest at bay.

Weed of the Month: Spotted Knapweed

This month, we’d love your help spotting Spotted Knapweed! This thistle lookalike has no spines, a deep taproot, and an affinity for turning wildlife diversity into a one-plant show. Once it shows up and makes itself home, it pushes out the locals that wildlife and livestock love and rely on.

Weed of the Month: Poison Hemlock

For this Weed of the Month, we’re talking about poison hemlock. This invasive weed is pretty, prolific, and (surprise, surprise) poisonous! A member of the carrot family, this biennial loves to show up where we live and play, spreading quietly into problem patches for pets, livestock, and loved ones. Unlike carrots, this one is no good in stew.

Weed of the Month: Skeletonleaf Bursage

For this Weed of the Month, we’re laying bare skeletonleaf bursage—bones and all. Although it’s a native, it competes with crops and can cause severe allergic reactions. We’ve got the tips and tricks to managing and eliminating this pest.

Weed of the Month: Sulfur Cinquefoil

For this Weed of the Month, we’re calling out the black sheep of the cinquefoil family: the sulfur cinquefoil. Though there are desirable native cinquefoil species, the sulfur cinquefoil is a tenacious invader—it can push out native plants and even other invasive species! Luckily, we’ll help you come out on top.

Weed of the Month: Rush Skeletonweed

Rush Skeletonweed (Chondrilla juncea) is a member of the Sunflower (Asteraceae) family, but unlike many of the native plants in the sunflower family, skeletonweed is an invasive, noxious weed in Teton Valley. Also commonly called hogbite, gum succory, or devil’s grass, skeletonweed originates in Europe, Asia, and Northern Africa but has spread to many western united states, including Wyoming, Idaho, and Montana.

Weed of the Month: Hoary Cress

Hoary Cress, also known as whitetop, is a creeping perennial from Europe that spreads rapidly through both seeds and persistent roots. Identified by its lance-shaped leaves and dense clusters of small white flowers, this invasive plant thrives in various habitats including fields, meadows, and roadsides. Its aggressive growth outcompetes native vegetation, posing significant challenges for effective management, which typically involves a combination of prevention, mechanical, and herbicide-based strategies.

Weed of the Month: Black Henbane

Black Henbane, otherwise known as Hogbean, Devil’s Eyes, and Stinking Nightshade, is an invasive plant that is also highly toxic. Its presence is widespread throughout the United States and here in Wyoming. This coarse and sticky plant can be most commonly found next to fence rows, bordering pastures, and along roadsides. It’s harmful to animals, humans, and the ecosystem as a whole.