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May 18, 2006 NDSU Publication Helps Identify Weeds Spring means green grass, blooming flowers and the start of a new crop-growing season. But not all of the plants that come up in the spring are welcome. The North Dakota State University Extension Service has a publication titled “North Dakota Noxious and Troublesome Weeds” to help people identify those unwanted plants. The pocket-sized guide contains detailed descriptions and color photos of 24 weeds. They include noxious weeds, such as Canada thistle, leafy spurge, purple loosestrife and saltcedar. Nearly half of the weeds included in the publication are on North Dakota’s noxious weed list. Purple loosestrife, for example, threatens waterfowl habitat and native wetlands, and saltcedar will choke waterways and has dried up entire lakes. Others in the publication, such as ragweed and poison ivy, are troublesome weeds to the general public. Ragweed pollen is considered the No. 1 cause of hay fever in late summer and fall. Poison ivy can cause an allergic reaction on people’s skin. The publication is for hikers, bikers, land managers, park district staff and anyone else who is interested in identifying weeds, according to author Rod Lym, a professor in the NDSU Plant Sciences Department. “We published this guide to fit easily in a person’s pocket so they can identify weeds as they are out enjoying nature,” Lym says. “The guide will help them to identify troublesome weeds, such as poison ivy, and also to tell invasive weeds, such as Canada thistle, from native, nonthreatening thistles, which are a food source for native butterflies.” Copies of publication W-1103, “North Dakota Noxious and Troublesome Weeds,” are available from county Extension offices for $4 each. The publication also can be ordered from the NDSU Agriculture Communication Distribution Center at (701) 231-7882 or dctr@ndsuext.nodak.edu. The cost is $4 plus $3 for postage. ### Source: Rod
Lym, (701) 231-8996, rod.lym@ndsu.edu |
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