Yellow toadflax now listed as noxious weed

Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring has approved the Ransom County Weed Board’s designation of yellow toadflax as a noxious weed in the county.

“Yellow toadflax is becoming an increasingly serious plant pest in parts of North Dakota,” Goehring said. “I agree with the Ransom County Weed Board that the board needs the additional authority of a noxious weed designation to bring the weed under control.”

Goehring said a county or city weed board with the permission of the agriculture commissioner can designate noxious weeds in its jurisdiction. The designation allows the weed board to use state funds to control the weed. It also legally mandates control or eradication of the weed.

Yellow toadflax (Linaria vulgaris Mill), also known as butter-and-eggs, wild snapdragon and Jacob’s ladder, was reportedly introduced into North America in the late 1600s as an ornamental plant because of its showy, yellow flowers. Once it infests an area, it can dramatically reduce forage production and decrease native plant and wildlife habitat. It has been designated a noxious weed in eight states.

Goehring also approved a request by the Pembina County Weed Board to remove its designation of common milkweed as a noxious weed. The Pembina County Weed Board said it sought the action on the advice of North Dakota State University extension service personnel.

Common milkweed (Asclepias syriaca L.) is native to North Dakota.

Tags: ransom county, noxious weeds, yellow toadflax, agriculture, outdoors