Why is it a problem?
- One plant produces up to 350,000 seeds, which remain viable in soil for up to 80 years
- Quickly colonizes disturbed areas, roadsides, and riverbanks; spread by waterways & equipment
- Alters sedimentation along rivers, outcompetes native plants, and degrades native grasslands
- Produces chemicals that inhibit the growth of other plants (allelopathic)
- Resprouts aggressively when cut or grazed; can be toxic to wildlife if grazed heavily
- Disrupts native pollinator habits
How do I manage this plant?
- If soil-disturbing activities take place, reseed with native species
- Clean vehicles and equipment before leaving an area with an infestation
- Pulling and cutting are effective, but require several treatments and long-term monitoring due to a long-lived seed bank
- For very large infestations, chemical treatment is most effective when used in combination with other control techniques
