Weed Identification

Noxious Weeds?

In past newsletters, invasive plants have been highlighted. But there is a subset of these plants called “noxious weeds.” What is the difference? An invasive plant is any nonindigenous species whose introduction causes or is likely to cause economic or environmental harm or harm to human health.. There are both native and alien invasive plants. A noxious weed is one of only three plant species named specifically in Wisconsin statutes as requiring control. These are Canada thistle (Cirsium arvense), field bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis) and leafy spurge (Euphorbia esula).

Section 66.0407 states “A person owning, occupying or controlling land shall destroy all noxious weeds on the land,” and “The chairperson of each town . . . may annually on or before May 15 publish a class 2 notice, under chapter 985, that every person is required by law to destroy all noxious weeds, as defined in this section, on lands in the municipality which the person owns, occupies or controls.” The town chairperson also has the right to appoint one or more Weed Commissioners, whose duties are to enforce the statute. A weed commissioner investigates reports of noxious weeds, informs landowners of the requirement to destroy these weeds, or if the landowner does not comply, the weed commissioner causes the weeds to be destroyed. Landowners are billed for the removal on their property taxes.

In addition to noxious weeds, there are two “nuisance weeds” named in Wisconsin statue 23.235: purple loosestrife (Lythrum) and multiflora rose (Rosa multiflora). For these plants “no person may sell, offer for sale, distribute, plant or cultivate any nuisance weed or seeds thereof. Violators are fined up to $100 per offence.
– Christine Molling July, 2009

Please view most up to date legal document for invasive species.
Please view here for a listing of invasive species.

Every person is required by law to destroy all of the following noxious weeds growing on land in the Town of Berry, owned, operated, or controlled by that person:

Canada thistle
Leafy spurge
Buckthorn
Dames Rocket
Amur Honeysuckle
Garlic Mustard
Purple Loosestrife
Spotted Knapweed
Teasel
Wild Parsnip
Field bindweed (Creeping Jenny)

Canada Thistle ( Cirsium arvense )

Herbaceous perennial, 2-6.5’ tall with upright, grooved stems that branch near top of plant. The stems are hairy.

Leafy spurge (Euphorbia esula)

Herbaceous perennial with deep root systems and milky sap in stems, flowers, and leaves. Sap is distasteful to some animals and can cause blistering on their mouths or throats. Leafy spurge grows to be 2-3’ tall.

Common buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica)

Herbaceous perennial with deep root systems and milky sap in stems, flowers, and leaves. Sap is distasteful to some animals and can cause blistering on their mouths or throats. Leafy spurge grows to be 2-3’ tall.

Dame's rocket (Hesperis matronalis)

Showy, short-lived perennial or biennial, 3-4’ tall. Flowering stalks emerge in spring.

Amur honeysuckle (Lonicera maackii)
Tartarian honeysuckle (Lonicera tatarica)

Amur Honeysuckle (Lonicera maackii)

Herbaceous perennial with deep root systems and milky sap in stems, flowers, and leaves. Sap is distasteful to some animals and can cause blistering on their mouths or throats. Leafy spurge grows to be 2-3’ tall.

Garlic Mustard (Alliaria petiolata)

Herbaceous biennial with stems 2-4’ tall. First-year plants form a basal rosette that remains green through the winter. Second-year plants produce one to several flowering stems.

Purple Loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria)

Wetland perennial, 3’-7’ tall, with up to 50 stems topped with purple flower spikes. One main leader stem, but many side branches often make the plant look bushy. Clipped plants grow back, and cut stems readily re-root in soil to produce new plants. Many areas of the state use safe biocontrol beetles that feed on the loosestrife to keep it in check and allow other plants to grow.

Spotted Knapweed (Centaurea biebersteinii)

Herbaceous, short-lived perennial, 2-4’ tall. Persists as a rosette 1-4 years before bolting. Flowering plants usually have 1-6 stems, but many have up to 20.

Common Teasel (Dipsacus fullonum)

Herbaceous, monocarpic perennial. Grows as a basal rosette for at least one year. Forms a prickly, angled flowering stalk, 2-6’ tall, typically in second or third year.

Wild Parsnip (Pastinaca sativa)

CAUTION:

Care should be taken to avoid skin contact with the juices of this plant. Proper clothing (gloves and a long-sleeved shirt) must be worn to prevent the phytophotodermatitic effects.

Herbaceous, monocarpic perennial. Grows as a basal rosette for at least one year. Forms a prickly, angled flowering stalk, 2-6’ tall, typically in second or third year.

Field Bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis)

Herbaceous perennial with deep root systems and milky sap in stems, flowers, and leaves. Sap is distasteful to some animals and can cause blistering on their mouths or throats. Leafy spurge grows to be 2-3’ tall.

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