Three New Invasive Plants Added to State Noxious Weed List

The State of Montana updated the Montana State Noxious Weed List to include three new plants, and shifted the priority of three weeds on the previous list, effective July, 2015. The updated list provides management priorities for citizens, land managers, county weed boards, county weed board coordinators, weed districts and other vegetation managers.

“Noxious” weeds is a designation given to invasive plants that have been determined to have the potential to, or have actual, detrimental impacts on Montana’s environment and economy. Propagation of these state listed noxious weeds (or allowing theses weeds to grow and spread) is prohibited by law. These weeds are prioritized by the level of establishment of the weed across the state and management criteria.

“Noxious weeds can impact the ecology of local areas in many ways and they can have a large impact on Montana’s agricultural sector. We update the list to reflect the highest priority noxious weeds that we try to prevent from becoming established or propagated within the state,” said Statewide Noxious Weed Coordinator Dave Burch.

One new plant was added to the priority 1A list, Common reed (Phragmites australis ssp. australis), which has been detected within the state. A priority 1A listing is given to weeds that are not currently present or have a very limited presence in Montana. A weed designated as Priority 1A requires preventive measures, education about the noxious weed and eradication if detected.

“It’s extremely important that we do all we can to prevent, educate and, if necessary, eradicate any new Priority 1A noxious weeds. Based on their invasive behavior in nearby states, we believe that they can have a very detrimental effect on our landscape. We often rely on eyes and ears out in the field to help manage and prevent noxious weeds from becoming established, so it is important to know the state’s priority noxious weeds, and help identify and inform weed managers,” said Jane Mangold, Associate Professor and MSU Extension Invasive Plant Specialist.

Two aquatic invasive weeds, Brazilian waterweed (Egeria densa) and Parrot Feather Watermilfoil (Myriophyllum aquaticum or M. brasiliense) were added to the Regulated Plant list. Regulated plants cannot be sold or transported in Montana.

Eurasian watermilfoil and Flowering rush were moved to a Priority 2A, while Hoary alyssum was moved to Priority 2B. Priority 2A weeds are common in isolated areas of Montana, and management criteria, if detected, requires eradication or containment where less abundant. Management is prioritized by local weed districts.

Priority 2B weeds are abundant in Montana and widespread in many counties. Management criteria, if detected, requires eradication or containment where less abundant. Management of these weeds is also prioritized by local weed districts. The current Montana Noxious Weed list can be accessed via the link: agr.mt.gov/agr/Programs/Weeds/PDF/2015WeedList.pdf.

 

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