African rue (Peganum harmala)


Category A Weed

Caltrop family (Zygophyllaceae)

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Stem

  • Up to 2 ft. tall; highly branched and bushy

    Leaves

    • Alternate, bright green and deeply divided; leaflets strap-like (linear), narrow, 0.75-2 in. long, fleshy, lack hair (glabrous) and have smooth edges (margins)

      Flower

      • 5 white petals surround a yellow center; 1 in. diameter; occur at leaf axils along stems

      • Five strap-like, fleshy, green sepals (0.5 in. long) that resemble leaves are found below flower

      • Seed pod is a small (less than 0.5 in. diameter), round capsule with 2-4 chambers; can be green orange or brown

        Root

        • Woody, branched taproot with short creeping roots

          Other

          • Grows best in dry, disturbed sites; often infests roadsides, waste areas, washes and desert areas; known to occur in Churchill, Clark, Mineral and Pershing counties

          • Perennial; reproduces by both seeds and roots

          • All plant parts poisonous to livestock and humans

            Control

            • Repeatedly dig or pull individual plants; remaining roots can produce new plants

            • Apply glyphosate, metsulfuron or imazapyr to actively growing plants

              Images

              African Rue Plant Mature 215x150
              Mature Plant
              African Rue Plant Young 215x150
              Young Plant
              African Rue Flower 215x150
              Flower
              African Rue Fruit 215x150
              Fruit
                Nevada Noxious Weed Field Guide
              Nevada Noxious Weed Guide