Washington state noxious weed

I have been 'talking' in the IRIS forum about this beautiful yellow Iris I dug up from friends garden to divide and replant for them only to find out it is a noxious weed, class C, in Washington state: Iris Pseudacorus. Really invasive I have read, in bogs and wet areas. But the yard I am digging it up from has no water. These friends are elderly and they have not dug this up for at least 8 yrs. Do any of you have it in a dry area?

Heavens, you're an outlaw! Just kidding.

This iris is very hardy and will do just fine in your garden. Class C is the lowest level of noxious weeds (e.g. blackberries and scotch broom). The USDA is counting on landowners to contain it. Grow it responsibly and remove all the seed stalks after it flowers. Never transplant it into the wild, especially in a wetland.

Regards, Firevicar

So, if I will not find my mugshot on the walls of the USDA?

I don't know about your pretty little iris, but I sure wouldn't place scotch broom as a lowest level weed! Spreads like wildfire. Yikes!!!

I was thinking the same think Weazelle: Scotch Broom is hideous although it is a nice bright yellow to see along each and every highway in early summer.

The local birds must have brought some seed & planted it in my front yard last winter in some wonderful soil. I can't believe what a monstrosity it grew to be this year. Just try digging it up - no wonder it is planted on the slopes of the highways & freeways. I has got to be one of the better plants for controlling erosion.
But it is pretty in full bloom.

I think this really depends on where you live in the PNW, and how wet vs. dry it is. I was recently on the WA coast for a trip and experienced many climate changes during my travel, which was by car. Some of the changes were within 15 to 20 miles from each other. If you look at our hardiness zones for WA state - they vary quite a bit on the western side.

Karrie: 15 to 20 miles.. I've had that change from the front to the back yard... LOL

I have tried a few times to get the scotch broom to grow for me.. I love the bright yellow with the little red dap on it.. maybe mother nature was good to me.. LOL

Yes - went through Tacoma on the way back. From LaPush to Forks is 15 miles. LaPush is on the coast. 10 degrees temperature difference right there.

Fire,

To change the subject substantially, is that joe pye weed in the pic under your post? What is the other plant?

Class C noxious weeds are defined as such not by how invasive they are, but by how much should be put toward eradicating them. Scotch broom, English ivy, and himalayan blackberry are three that are so firmly established in the state that eradicating them is next to impossible. Thus, being relegated to 'class C' is not exactly a green light for planting. Grow the iris pseudocorus if you must, but like Jim said, let no seed pods develop and do not let it escape from your yard. Cut the flowers when they start to look bad. Here are the class definitions:

Class A:
not native to the state
limited distribution, new invader
prevention of seed production mandated statewide
a serious threat
goal: eradication
Class B:
not native to the state
abundant in some areas; unrecorded or of limited distribution in other areas
a serious threat to uninfested areas
goal: containment and eventual eradication
prevention of seed production in designated areas/counties
Class C:
any other noxious weeds
abundant or widespread
weeds of special interest or concern
control at county discretion

It's from:
http://www.co.whatcom.wa.us/publicworks/weeds/classification.jsp

You can see that under Class C, it's 'control at county discretion'. This is because they have to decide how best to use their resources.


Here is information about Yellow Flag Iris:
http://www.co.whatcom.wa.us/publicworks/pdf/weeds/aquatic/yellow_flag_iris2.pdf

This website has information about other noxious weeds in Washington state as well.

Regarding Scotch Broom, it is hideous. It has a huge, deep taproot and when the seedpods ripen, they explode - throwing seed as far as 20 feet. They are terribly hard to eradicate.
Whoops! Had to edit to remove the reference to 'spanish broom' as being an alternative to scotch broom. Just saw that it's listed on the noxious weed list, too.

This message was edited Oct 6, 2006 10:03 PM

Oh if only the county had enough money to go after scotch broom! Glad to hear there are alternatives that are better behaved.

Thanks for the info Pixy. :-)

Well, I was so wrong about the Spanish Broom. Guess that's not exactly a good alternative. I don't know if any amount of money would eradicate that plant.
Take a look at the list of noxious weeds on that site. I saw some things that surprised me, including something that popped up in my garden this year (hawksweed, I think). I thought it was kind of a pretty little flower, but I'm glad I pulled it.