Weeds

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Weeds organized by Genus, starting on this page with ABC, and continued on these pages:

This is a list of species which because they are traditionally regarded as weeds (whether native or not) or because they are not native to Alberta, might be considered for inclusion in the Weed Act Regulations. The list is very inclusive, the regulations should be much less so.

Contents

Notes:

Chances are, nobody who reads this list will know all the species listed. Don't try to read the whole thing---ignore the species you don't know.

Except as noted otherwise, all the species listed are exotic (not native) and known to survive and reproduce without cultivation in Alberta (according to ANHIC). Also included, and noted as such: native species (as determined by ANHIC) that have been traditionally listed as weeds, and exotic species that are considered likely to occur in Alberta in the future.

Just as regulations in the past have created problems by using common names, it is possible to create confusion with scientific names. Common names can refer to more than one species, and a given species may have more than one common name. Scientific names change as taxonomists discover duplicates, or split species, or lump them. The regulations should use scientific names, including authorship, but also the common names and scientific synonyms for the species listed. I will be adding this information gradually, either on this page or on the species pages to which this page links, as time permits. James B Posey

Time's up! If I've made mistakes putting this together, fix them, or let me know! If you want to add species, please copy the markup for the heading (species name) from one of the existing ones. James B Posey

References

ANHIC: Alberta Natural Heritage Information Centre, Parks and Protected Areas Division, Alberta Community Development, List of All Vascular Plant Elements, 2006-07-21.

XID: 1200 Weeds of the 48 States and Adjacent Canada, XID Services (Dr. Richard Old)

Inventory of Canadian agricultural weeds (electronic resource)[1], Stephen J. Darbyshire, National Library of Canada Cat. No. A42-100/2003E-IN

The Global Invasive Species Database [2], managed by the Invasive Species Specialist Group (ISSG) of the IUCN Species Survival Commission.

USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service Plants Database [3]

Natureserve "Invasive Species Impact Ranks (I-Ranks) developed by NatureServe using "An Invasive Species Assessment Protocol: Evaluating Non-Native Plants for Their Impact on Biodiversity." (Morse, et. al., NatureServe, 2004). See http://www.natureserve.org/getData/plantData.jsp." and "Summary of Results - Invasive Species Impact Ranks for the United States Evaluations as of January 10, 2005 (further assessments in progress) "


Please observe these rules:

  1. Only add comments (or revise your own comments), don't change anything else.
  2. Precede each comment you add with an asterisk.
  3. End each comment with three tildes in a row. (Some comments survive from a previous version, by James B. Posey (Jim) and Alec McClay (Alec))
  4. Use PRO to abbreviate "prohibited" and NOX for "noxious".
  5. If you are using criteria other than the AIPC recommended criteria [4], explain what they are and your reasons for using them.

Velvet-leaf Abutilon theophrasti

Natureserve I-Rank: Medium/Low

Manitoba Maple Acer negundo

Native prior to settlement, but rare. Domestic plantings are more common.


Norway Maple Acer platanoides

Exotic, not in ANHIC. USDA says it occurs in BC, ON (and points east) and can be invasive.

Natureserve I-Rank High/Medium

Yarrow Achillea millefolium var. millefolium

A. millefolium is listed as native by ANHIC but includes invasive exotic elements. USDA says var. millefolium is introduced in AB and can be weedy or invasive.

Sneezewort Yarrow, Sneezeweed Achillea ptarmica

Goutweed Aegopodium podagraria

Exotic, not listed by ANHIC. USDA shows in BC and SK, and says it can be invasive.

Natureserve I-Rank: Medium/Insignificant

Jointed Goatgrass Aegilops cylindrica

Exotic, not listed by ANHIC. USDA shows in SA (AL, AR, AZ, CA, CO, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MI, MO, MT, ND, NE, NM, NV, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, WA, WV, WY), but not in Canada. Documentation from Jim Broatch, prepared by Ken Allison, Plant Health Risk Assessment Unit, Science Advice Division, of CFIA says "Annual grass (Poaceae) native to Western Asia and Eastern Europe, and widely naturalized in the USA. Only extant populations in s. ON are undergoing eradication. Qualifies as a quarantine pest. A pest risk assessment has shown that it is a potential threat to Canada."

Natureserve I-Rank: Medium/Insignificant

  • If they mean it has potential here (as seems likely from the US distribution) this should be PRO. James B Posey

Crested Wheatgrass Agropyron pectiniforme (A. cristatum)

Natureserve I-Rank: High/Medium

  • OK for cultivated pasture if not near natural areas, control elsewhere James B Posey.
  • Very persistent where planted, does not seem to spread rapidly (Alec).

Agropyron sibericum

Quack Grass Agropyron repens

Elytrigia repens in ANHIC, currently designated as "nuisance"

Creeping Bentgrass Agrostis stolonifera

Garlic Mustard Alliaria petiolata

Exotic, not listed by ANHIC. USDA shows it in BC and ON (and points east). Seriously invasive where it occurs.

Natureserve I-Rank High/Medium

  • I think there is climatic modelling suggesting that this is not a big threat in AB (Alec).

Meadow Foxtail Alopecurus pratensis

Small Alyssum Alyssum alyssoides

Desert alyssum Alyssum desertorum

Yellow alyssum Alyssum murale

Powell's Amaranth Amaranthus powellii

Red-root Pigweed Amaranthus retroflexus

currently designated as "nuisance"

  • Annual weed of disturbed/cultivated land, very widespread in AB. Not worth listing? (Alec.)

Common Ragweed Ambrosia artemisiifolia

Native

Perennial Ragweed Ambrosia psilostachya

Great Ragweed Ambrosia trifida

Amur Peppervine Ampelopsis brevipedunculata

Exotic, not listed by ANHIC. USDA shows in eastern US, nowhere in Canada. Not listed by Darbyshire.

Natureserve I-Rank: Medium/Low

Fiddle-neck Amsinckia menziesii

Dill Anethum graveolens

Mayweed Anthemis cotula

  • Not as invasive as Scentless Chamomile, but I recommend NOX to allow for dealings with this as a 'Wildflower' component. Normand Boulet

Yellow Chamomile Anthemis tinctoria

Wild Chervil, Bur Chervil, Cow Parsley, Keck Anthriscus sylvestris

Exotic, not listed by ANHIC. USDA shows in BC, WA, ID , also ON and points east.


Spreading dogbane Apocynum androsaemifolium

Native, currently designated "noxious"

  • should not be controlled in native contexts. James B Posey
  • rarely found except on dry knolls or in fields very close to rivers and creeks - however it can be very aggressive when established, resists cultivation and many herbicides. remove from weed list though due to it being native Normand Boulet

Great Burdock Arctium lappa

Natureserve I-Rank: Low/Insignificant

Common Burdock Arctium minus

Natureserve I-Rank: Medium/Insignificant This plant has been elevated to Noxious category in several Alberta municipalities. I see the Kerry Wood Nature centre (Red Deer) has requested patrons to remove it if they see it. Jim Broatch

  • recommend it be added to NOX list, definitely of concern in pasture and wooded areas Normand Boulet

- Common in Edmonton parks and unmanaged areas.

- Three occurances noted last year in the City of Red Deer, two were in disturbed areas. City staff have a policy of removing the plants as soon as they are reported. --Tony Blake 12:51, 11 April 2009 (CDT)

Wooley Burdock Arctium tomentosum

European Burdock Arctium vulgare

Exotic, not listed by ANHIC. USDA shows in eastern seaboard states and Kansas.


Thyme-leaved Sandwort Arenaria serpyllifolia

Horseradish Armoracia rusticana

- Common in Edmonton's unmanaged areas (e.g. railway ditches)

- Tends to grow in open areas in localized patches.

- Two occurances noted in the City of Red Deer --Tony Blake 12:59, 11 April 2009 (CDT)

Southernwood Artemisia abrotanum

Absinth Artemisia absinthium

Natureserve I-Rank: Low/Insignificant

Goat's-beard Aruncus sylvester

Asparagus Asparagus officinalis

Natureserve I-Rank: Medium/Insignificant

-"In Australia, it is described as eliminating native vegetation and preventing the regeneration of native shrubs and trees." - Natureserve

-Growing in the Red Deer parks system in a least five locations, typically found in sunny spots on forested hillsides. Individual plants are usually isolated from each other. --Tony Blake 13:00, 11 April 2009 (CDT)

Madwort Asperugo procumbens

Quinseywort Asperula arvensis

Cicer Milkvetch Astragalus cicer

  • Should allow under cultivation, but control or eradicate elsewhere, roadsides &c as well as natural areas James B Posey
  • This species has been used for revegetation projects all over the province. It does a great job but unfortnately it also has the ability to invade native plant communities. The Gaetz Lake Sanctuary in Red Deer is an example of how quickly this can happen. Tony Blake
  • This non-bloat legume is very common and a prefered pasture plant. Jim Broatch
  • it is too valuable when sown in the proper places to try and dissuade its use, educate and raise awareness of its weedy nature - i.e. like Caraway Normand Boulet

Saltbush Atriplex heterosperma

Garden Orache Atriplex hortensis

Saltbush Atriplex oblongifolia

Prostrate Saltbush Atriplex prostrata

Red-scale Saltbush Atriplex rosea

Natureserve I-Rank: High/Low

Wild Oat Avena fatua

Natureserve I-Rank: High/Low

currently designated as "nuisance"

  • can it spread any further than it has? Don't even think about making this one NOX! Normand Boulet

Oat Avena sativa

Russian Pigweed Axyris amaranthoides

Yellow Rocket Barbarea vulgaris

5-Hook Bassia, 5-Horn Smotherweed Bassia hyssopifolia

Natureserve I-Rank" Low/Insignificant

Common Barberry Berberis vulgaris

Natureserve I-Rank: none

Exotic, not listed by ANHIC, USDA shows in BC and SK, but not AB

Japanese Barberry Berberis thunbergii

Natureserve I-Rank: High/Medium

Exotic, not listed by ANHIC. USDA shows in Dakotas, Wyoming, ON and points east, but not in AB or adjacent provinces or states

Hoary-alyssum Berteroa incana

Tall Beggarticks Bidens tripartita

Oxtounge Borago officinalis

Rape Brassica campestris

White Mustard Brassica hirta

Indian Mustard Brassica juncea

Natureserve I-rank: Insignificant

Wild Mustard Brassica kaber

Rutabaga Brassica napus

Black Mustard Brassica nigra

Natureserve I-Rank: High/Low

Exotic, not in ANHIC. USDA shows it introduced in USA (AL, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, DE, FL, HI, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, MT, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, VT, WA, WI, WV), CAN (AB, BC, MB, NB, NF, NS, ON, PE, QC, SK), says it can be weedy or invasive.

Hairy Chess Brassica commutatus

Smooth Brome Bromus inermis ssp. inermis

  • Smooth Brome introduced from eastern Europe has seriously invaded native ecosystems, and forms monocultural patches. If we could wind back the clock to before introduction, I would say it should be PRO. But, it is so widespread that eradication is impractical. Even control is difficult. Good land management would avoid planting it adjacent to native habitat where it is still uncommon, and try to eradicate new infestations. James B Posey


Smooth Brome Bromus inermis ssp. pumpellianus

Native

  • Crosses with ssp. inermis, which complicates things. James B Posey


Japanese Chess Bromus japonicus

Soft Chess Bromus molis

Rye Chess Bromus secalinus

Field Brome Bromus squarrosus

Cheatgrass, Downy Chess Bromus tectorum

Natureserve I-Rank: High

currently designated as "nuisance"

  • This appears to have an affinity for railways in Central Alberta, usually growing in large exclusive patches.

- Tony Blake

  • This has potential to be much more widespread than it is presently. Where it is advancing, efforts to eradicate would be worthwhile. In particular, it should be prohibited in gravel pits. James B Posey

White Bryony Bryonia alba

Natureserve I-Rank: High/Low

Exotic, not in ANHIC. USDA shows in USA (ID, MT, UT, WA)

Flowering-rush Butomus umbellatus

Natureserve I-Rank: Medium/Low

  • still uncommon, but may not remain so. Aquatic, reproduces almost exclusively vegetatively. Should be PRO. James B Posey

Hedge Bindweed Calystegia sepium (L.) R. Br. ssp. angulata Brummitt]] or Calystegia sepium (L.) R. Br. ssp. americana (Sims) Brummitt or both?

Native, S3, currently designated as "nuisance" as Convolvulus sepium.

  • Are these not native? Not important problems as far as I know (Alec.)
  • It's called Convolvulus sepium on the current ANHIC List and is considered native, ranked S3 James B Posey
  • Yes I believe all Calystegia are now treated as Convolvulus so this is the correct name (Alec).
  • Agronomically does Hedge pose any less of a threat than Field Bindweed? If not I recommend they both make the NOX list. Normand Boulet

Small-seeded False Flax Camelina microcarpa

Round-seeded False Flax Camelina parodii

Large-seeded False Flax Camelina sativa

Creeping Bellflower, Garden Harebell Campanula rapunculoides

Natureserve I-Rank: High/Low

currently designated as "nuisance"

-Growing in the Red Deer parks system in at least nine locations, typically forested areas adjacent to private gardens. Also very common in Edmonton's river valley parks.

-Readily invades undisturbed habitat and crowds out all other herbaceous vegetation.

-Extremely hard to kill due to its deep root system and resistance to common herbicides.

-An attractive plant that is readily tolerated by gardeners. (It happened to me 10 years ago, I'm still trying to get rid of it.) Colonies will also survive and spread in mowed lawns. --Tony Blake 13:37, 11 April 2009 (CDT)

Hemp Cannabis sativa

Natureserve I-Rank: Medium/Low

Shepherd's-purse Capsella bursa-pastoris

Natureserve I-Rank: Insignificant

currently designated as "nuisance"

  • Annual weed of disturbed/cultivated land, very widespread in AB. Not worth listing? (Alec.)

Caragana or Siberian Peashrub Caragana arborescens

Natureserve I-Rank: High/Low

- Common in Red Deer parks system. 10% of all hectares surveyed contain Caragana. Caragana is "abundant" in approximately 3%(N=40)of sample locations. Conditions are comparable in Edmonton's river valley parks.

- Extremely aggressive and alleopathic. Caragana colonies crowd out everything from grass to full grown trees.

- On hillsides, the lack of ground cover in caragana colonies leads to soil erosion. -Tony Blake 12:32, 11 April 2009 (CDT)

Hoary Cress or Whitetop Cardaria sp.

  • Can we be specific? Is this referring to C. chalepensis, C. draba, and C. pubescens? Are any/all of them problematic? James B Posey
  • The accepted names for these are now Lepidium chalepense, Lepidium draba, and Lepidium appelianum respectively. They are quite significant weeds in the western US although I don't know the relative importance of the 3 spp. (Alec).

Nodding Thistle Carduus nutans

Natureserve I-Rank: High/Low

Currently "Restricted"

  • should continue to be PRO, let's keep it out if we can Normand Boulet

- Common in west-central Saskatchewan, but very rare in Central Alberta (I know of only one occurance: three years ago in the Wetaskiwin rail yard). Let's keep it that way. --Tony Blake 13:46, 11 April 2009 (CDT)

Safflower Carthamus tinctorius

Caraway Carum carvi

  • Spreading rapidly in the foothills (Alec).

Has been a concern in the Rocky Mountain House area. I've seen it in many roadsides throughout the province. Jim Broatch

  • an escaped crop that can be very aggressive and difficult to control (it seems impervious to Tordon 101 at weed rate). consider this like the wild boar on the pest act, NOX when at large? Normand Boulet

Japanese Bittersweet Celastrus orbiculatus (C. orbiculata)

Natureserve I-Rank: High/Medium

Exotic, not listed by ANHIC. USDA shows in USA (AR, CT, DC, DE, GA, IA, IL, IN, KY, MA, MD, ME, MI, NC, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI, SC, TN, VA, VT, WI, WV), CAN (NB, ON, QC)

Cornflower Centaurea cyanus

Natureserve I-rank: Medium/Insignificant

Diffuse Knapweed Centaurea diffusa

Natureserve I-Rank: High/Medium

currently "Restricted"

  • continue as PRO if this is still feasible Normand Boulet

Spotted Knapweed Centaurea maculosa (C. biebersteinii)(C. Stobe)

Natureserve I-rank: High/Medium

currently "Restricted"

  • comments made at previous meetings to the effect this plant is too widespread in AB to continue as PRO Is the infested area small enough for an extra eradication program/assistance. Will we end up having it on NOX and seeing 65 of 69 Municipalities elevating it to PRO? Normand Boulet

Russian Knapweed Centaurea repens

Natureserve I-Rank: High/Medium

currently designated "noxious"

  • I know this one is knocking on our door in the B.C. Peace, it should at least be NOX and if no known infestations are in Alberta, I recommend PRO. Normand Boulet

Yellow Starthistle Centaurea solstitialis

Natureserve I-Rank: High/Medium

Currently "Restricted"

  • if it's as bad as we've been led to believe then continue PRO Normand Boulet

Field Chickweed Cerastium arvense ssp. strictum

  • This subspecies is native. Current regulations are not clear what "Field Chickweed, Cerastium arvense", currently designated as "nuisance", is intended. If listed, should be exempt in native context. ssp. arvense is introduced to NA but not known to be in AB. James B Posey

Chickweed Cerastium vulgatum (C. fontanum ssp. vulgare)

currently designated as "nuisance"

Dwarf Snapdragon Chaenorinum minus

Large White Ground-cherry Chamaesaracha grandiflora

Lamb's-quarters Chenopodium album

  • Annual weed of disturbed/cultivated land, very widespread in AB. Not worth listing? (Alec.)


Good King Henry Goosefoot Chenopodium bonus-henricus

Rush Skeletonweed Chondrilla juncea

Natureserve I-Rank: Medium/Insignificant

Exotic, not listed by ANHIC. USDA shows in USA (CA, DC, DE, GA, ID, IN, MD, MI, MT, NJ, NY, OR, PA, VA, WA, WV), CAN (BC, ON)

Ox-eye Daisy Chrysanthemum leucanthemum

currently designated "noxious"

  • continue with NOX designation. Normand Boulet

Endive Cichorium endivia

Chicory Cichorium intybus

Natureserve I-Rank: Medium/Insignificant

Creeping Thistle, Canada Thistle Cirsium arvense

Natureserve I-Rank: High/Medium

currently designated "noxious"

  • I'd love to have this one dropped off the NOX list but it causes more 'neighbour consternation' than any other that I'm aware of. I guess we'd better keep it as NOX. Normand Boulet

Marsh Thistle Cirsium palustre

Exotic, not listed by ANHIC. USDA shows in USA (MA, MI, NH, NY, WI), CAN (BC, NF, NS, ON, QC)

  • spreading rapidly in wetlands in BC, no effective control available - good candidate for PRO (Alec).


Bull Thistle Cirsium vulgare

  • definitely of major concern in the pastures and logged areas of the Peace Region. I'd support it becoming NOX. Normand Boulet

Yellow Clematis Clematis tangutica

  • I think this is a major threat to mountain habitats (Alec.)


Evergreen Clematis Clematis vitalba

Not in ANHIC. USDA shows in USA (CA, MD, ME, OR, WA), CAN (BC, ON)

  • Mainly a W. European species - would it be hardy here? (Alec).


Hemlock, Poison Hemlock Conium maculatum

Natureserve I-Rank: Medium/Low

Hare's-ear Mustard Conringia orientalis

Field Bindweed Convolvulus arvensis

Natureserve I-Rank: Medium/Low

currently designated "noxious"

Crown Vetch Coronilla varia

Natureserve I-Rank: High

Peking Cotoneaster Cotoneaster acutifolia (C. acutifolius)

Exotic, not listed by ANHIC. USDA shows in USA (ID, IN, MT, WA, WY), CAN (MB, ON, QC, SK)

  • I've seen Cotoneaster growing without cultivation in natural areas, but not sure which one. James B Posey

- Cotoneaster present in 16% of sample sites in Red Deer's natural and unmanaged areas. In at least 8 locations it was the dominant species in the shrub layer. Typically grows in mature spruce forest. The situation is similar in Edmonton river valley parks. --Tony Blake 23:06, 17 April 2009 (CDT)

Red-fruited Cotoneaster Cotoneaster integerrimus

Exotic, not listed by ANHIC. USDA does not show distribution.


Dark-seed Cotoneaster Cotoneaster niger (C. melanocarpa)

Exotic, not listed by ANHIC. USDA shows in CAN (AB, MB, SK).


Green Hawksbeard Crepis capillaris

Annual Hawksbeard Crepis tectorum

currently designated as "nuisance"

Common Crupina Crupina vulgaris

Natureserve I-Rank: Medium/Low

Exotic, not listed by ANHIC. USDA shows Crupina vulgaris Cass. var. vulgaris in USA (CA, ID, MA, OR) Crupina vulgaris Cass. in USA (CA, ID, MA, OR, WA), and Crupina vulgaris Cass. var. brachypappa P. Beauv. in WA. Allison (cited previously) says "Annual herb of the aster family (Asteraceae). Native to the Mediterranean region of Europe. Naturalized in the western USA. Qualifies as a quarantine pest. It is not yet present in Canada and a pest risk assessment has shown that it is a potential threat to Canada."

Dodder Cuscuta sp.

No Exotics listed by ANHIC. The whole genus is currently "Restricted"

  • Cuscuta gronovii is a rare (S1) native, but introduced species could be present and ranked differently--- does anyone know what was the target species (since the regs don't say?) the most possible exotics are 3 that occur in BC: small-seed alfalfa dodder (C. approximata), button-bush dodder (C. cephalanthi), and clover dodder (C. epithymum) James B Posey

Natureserve I-Rank of C. approximata is High/Low, and of C. epithymum, Medium/Low

Hound's-tongue Cynoglossum officinale

Natureserve I-Rank: Medium/Low

currently designated "noxious"

Scotch Broom Cytisus scoparius

Natureserve I-Rank: High/Medium

Not listed by ANHIC. USDA shows in USA (AK, AL, CA, CT, DC, DE, GA, HI, ID, KY, MA, MD, ME, MI, MT, NC, NH, NJ, NY, OH, OR, PA, SC, TN, UT, VA, WA, WV), CAN (BC, NS, PE)

  • Probably not hardy in AB? (Alec).
  • I wonder where it occurs in Montana? James B Posey