• Goatsrue Plant 215x150

Category A Weed

Pea family (Fabaceae)

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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