Goatsrue (Galega officinalis)

Stem

• Generally grows 2-5 ft. tall; highly branched with numerous stems that arise from the crown

Leaves

• Pinnately-compound with 5-8 pairs of leaflets; leaflets are oval to lance-shaped, 0.5-1.5 in. long and lack hair (glabrous); edges (margins) are smooth

Flower

• Purple to white, less than 0.5 in. long and clustered on stalks at tips of branches

• Pods are 1-2 in. long and contain numerous seeds

Root

• Non-spreading taproot; roots associate with nitrogen-fixing bacteria

Other

• Grows best in moist areas; often found in fencelines, pastures, roadsides, marshy areas and along waterways; not known to occur in Nevada

• Perennial; reproduces by seed

• Native to the Middle East; introduced to northern Utah as a potential forage plant but was found to be unpalatable and highly toxic to livestock

• Listed on the Federal Noxious Weed List

Control

• Hand removal of individual plants can limit spread of small infestations

• Mowing and tillage (particularly shallow tillage) are NOT effective

• Apply 2,4-D, dicamba, metsulfuron or chlorsulfuron to actively growing plants