Weeds in the Wilderness

A visit to wild lands immerses us in the natural world. We might encounter adventure, spiritual clarity, knowledge of our relationship to the earth's occupants, the essence of survival, fear, or peace. But we also could bring the seeds of change by broadcasting invasive plants along our route.

Noxious weeds displace native plant species, reduce biological diversity, increase soil erosion, decrease wildlife habitat, compromise recreational opportunities—and more. They cling to boot treads, fish creels, forage products, packs, clothing, canoes, vehicles, etc.

The most common noxious weeds in the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness are:

Dalmation toadflax -long, erect appearance; produces showy snapdragon-type yellow flowers and waxy, heart-shaped leaves clasp the stem.
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Leafy Spurge -Leafy spurge - very small flowers are yellowish-green, arranged in numerous small clusters and subtended by paired heart-shaped yellow-green bract; leaves are alternate, narrow, one to four inches long; plants contain a white milky sap.
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Oxeye daisy -white-petalled flower has smaller yellow disk than a Shasta Daisy's; leaves have toothed edges and clasp the stem.
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Spotted knapweed - pink to purple bachelor button-looking flowers, bracts with black tips directly under the flowerhead and deeply lobed lower leaves with fine, cobweb-type hairs.
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Yellow Toadflax -yellow snapdragon-type flower grows in dense clusters at the ends of multiple stems; leaves narrow and pointed at both ends with smooth margins; height of one to two feet.
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While not a top concern, the following invasive plants also appear in the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness:

Bull thistle - spiny, spreading, winged stems are up to 7 ft. tall. Leaves are long, lance-shaped and very hairy. Purple flowers develop at the apex of the plant with narrow, spine-tipped bracts.
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Canada thistle -flowers pink to purple or white and ray-like; leaves smooth, deeply lobed with spine-tipped edges.
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Houndstongue - flowers reddish-purple; rough leaves resemble a hound's tongue with soft white hairs; "Nature's Velcro"—the little brown burrs stick to everything.
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Wooly mullein – low-growing rosettes of bluish gray-green felt-like leaves the first year; yellow flowers arranged in a leafy spike and leaves larger the second year.
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This information about weeds is sponsored by the National Forest Foundation