Do you have a weed, invasive weed, noxious weed?

Do you have a weed, noxious weed, invasive weed or “superweed”?  Simple distinctions make all the difference.

The Weed Science Society of America defines a weed as a plant that causes economic losses or ecological damage, creates health problems for humans or animals, or is undesirable where it is growing. Examples:

Crabgrass (Digitaria spp.), Giant foxtail (Setaria faberii) and Common lambsquarter (Chenopodium album).

A noxious weed is any plant designated by federal, state or local government officials as injurious to public health, agriculture, recreation, wildlife or property. Once a weed is classified as noxious, authorities can implement quarantines and take other actions to contain or destroy the weed and limit its spread. Examples: Purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria), Hydrilla (Hydrilla verticillata) and Witchweed(Striga spp.).*

In compliance with Washington State, Chapter 17.10 RCW Noxious Weeds--Control Boards, and Chapter 16-750 WAC State Noxious Weed List, landowners are notified of their responsibility to participate in the control of noxious weeds to prevent their spread and establishment on lands within Lewis County.

Lewis County Noxious Weed Control Board meetings and educational activities are conducted periodically throughout the year and open to all. The public is encouraged to attend and participate in programs to gain a better understanding of noxious weeds and their impacts to agriculture, forest and other natural resources.

To obtain a Lewis County Noxious Weed List or information about noxious weeds and the strategies used for their management, contact the Lewis County Noxious Weed Control Board office at 740-1215, (351 NW North Street, Courthouse, basement level), web site: http://lewiscountywa.gov/weedcontrol or direct correspondence to Lewis County Noxious Weed Control Board, 351 NW North Street, MS: AES02, Chehalis, WA 98532-1900. *From Weed Science Society of America, www.wssa.net

WSSA Fact Sheet