1. The State Noxious Weed Law

    The term "noxious" is a legal term, rather than botanical or technical. It is used to describe non-native plants that have been introduced to Washington from other parts of the world and have a damaging impact on the local industries that rely on having a healthy ecosystem and plant community, such as agriculture, etc. Because of their aggressive growth and lack of natural enemies in the state, these species can be highly destructive, competitive, or difficult to control. Noxious weeds can reduce crop yields, destroy native plant and animal habitats, severely limit recreational opportunities, clog waterways, lower land values, create …


    Weed Control - Jan. 10, 2012, 3:02 p.m.

  2. Giant Hogweed

    Heracleum mantegazzianum Giant Hogweed - A perennial, or sometimes biennial, plant capable of growing 15-20 feet tall. Stout dark reddish-purple splotched stems and leaf stalks.Leaves: Leaves can grow up to 5 feet wide, and they are deeply cut/lobed and sharply toothed edges.Flowers: Flowers bloom from June-August. Flower clusters can grow 2.5 feet wide and are umbrella shaped with many small white flowers.Habitat: Can grow in a variety of habitats, but primarily found along roadsides, rights-of-way, vacant lots, streams, and rivers.Weed Classification: AWhy is it a Noxious Weed?Due to the plant's height, it forms dense canopies that outcompete native species. Plants …


    Weed Control - Sept. 29, 2022, 10:57 a.m.

  3. FAQ's

    What are noxious weeds? "Noxious weed" is the traditional, legal term for invasive, non-native plants that are highly destructive, competitive, and difficult to control or eliminate. Noxious weeds can include non-native grasses, flowering plants, shrubs, and even trees. Noxious weeds can also include aquatic plants. Many noxious weeds started out as ornamental plants that eventually escaped the garden setting, while others were accidentally introduced through human travel and trade. Regardless of how they got to Washington State, all noxious weeds pose a serious threat to our economy, agriculture, local ecosystems, and wildlife habitats. Some noxious weeds are toxic to humans …


    Weed Control - April 12, 2016, 1:22 p.m.

  4. Hoary alyssum

    Berteroa incana Hoary Alyssum - Plant is usually silvery-gray in appearance due to stellate hairs. 1-3.5 feet tall and functions as an upright annual, biennial, or short-lived perennial.Leaves: Plant has basal leaves that are larger and oblanceolate. Leaves gradually reduce in size moving up the stem with alternate leaf arrangement.Flowers: Blooming from May-August. Flowers bloom from the bottom up in simple or branches clusters. Petals are white and are two times longer than sepals and are deeply cleft. 6 stamens per flower.Habitat: Plant is adapted to dry conditions. Usually is found in overgrazed pastures, stressed meadows, roadsides, and waste areas. …


    Weed Control - Sept. 29, 2022, 9:48 a.m.

  5. Noxious Weed Board

    Mission Statement:It is the mission of the Noxious Weed Board to serve as responsible stewards of Lewis County land and agriculture, and to protect and preserve our ecological resources against the harms of noxious weeds. We endeavor to develop programs that reflect local priorities, meet the needs of county landowners and residents, and carry out the mandate of the Washington State noxious weed law, the RCW 17.10. The county Noxious Weed Control Program provides consultation on weed prevention strategies, educational programming, technical assistance, enforcement actions, and a variety of other resources to help control or eradicate noxious weeds in our …


    Weed Control - Jan. 23, 2019, 4:12 p.m.

  6. Info on Weed Species

    "Which list is which?" Every year, the Washington State Weed Board adopts a noxious weed list, which goes into effect on the first of January. In the following months, meaning the early months of each year, the Lewis County Noxious Weed Control Board adopts its own, county-level, weed list. This list includes a number of Class A and B-Designate noxious weeds that are received by the county as orders from the state, and are required for control. In addition, the county Weed Board also has the option to select additional Class B & C weeds to the list that are …


    Weed Control - Jan. 11, 2012, 8:50 a.m.

  7. Bull Thistle

    Cirsium vulgare Bull Thistle - Biennial, herbaceous plant growing about 3-7 feet tall, with one stem.Leaves: Alternate, coarsely lobed leaves. Each lobe has a spiked tip. Top of leaves is rough with small spines, while the bottom has wooly hairs.Flowers: Flowers bloom from July-September. 1.5-2 inches across and are generally purple/pink (rarely white).Habitat: Primarily found in disturbed areas like pastures, roadsides, ditch banks, hayfields, prairies, and logged mountain areas.Weed Classification: CWhy is it a Noxious Weed?Bull Thistle tends to outcompete native vegetation and desired grazing forage.Bull thistle is commonly found in Lewis County. If you need control recommendations, please see …


    Weed Control - Oct. 6, 2022, 9:32 a.m.

  8. Buffalobur

    Solanum rostratum Buffalobur - An annual plant growing around 1.5-3 feet tall, covered in spines and hairs.Leaves: Alternate leaves 2-6 inches long. Leaves are irregularly cut into 5-7 lobes and are very prickly.Flowers: Flowers bloom from June-September. 3-15 flowers per flower cluster. Flowers are bright yellow, 5 lobed, flat, and circular shaped about an inch across.Habitat: Found in fields, overgrazed pastures, yards, road sides, waste areas, barn yards, it can grow in sandy soil, dry soil, and rich moist soil.Weed Classification: CWhy is it a Noxious Weed?Buffalobur is toxic to livestock, and spreads easily in pastures and fields outcompeting desired …


    Weed Control - Oct. 6, 2022, 9:32 a.m.

  9. Services

    Weed Identification The most common question we get: "What's this weed?"We love this question, but do ask that you provide us with a good, representative sample, or even a series of photographs of the weed you are concerned about. Samples that include flowers or fruit are often essential for positive identification. Photos should include both close-up, detailed and high-resolution pictures of the stem, nodes, flowers or fruits, as well as pictures taken further back to see the overall shape and size of the plant. You can drop the sample off at the weed office or email us a photo. From …


    Weed Control - March 5, 2015, 2:14 p.m.

  10. Weed Identification

    Successful weed management starts with proper identification What is it? Is it noxious? Is it native? Is it poisonous? Is it even a weed?Weeds can fall under many different categories, and sometimes the same weed can be many of these at once! The first step in successful weed management is accurate identification and understanding of its life cycle. We are available to identify weeds both in the office and on site. There are also numerous resources online to help identify the weed in question, along with descriptions of feasible control options and methods, here are a few of our favorites:Washington …


    Weed Control - Sept. 27, 2019, 12:57 p.m.