Weed Watch: Houndstongue

Ever have little cockle-burrs cluster on your clothes or fill up your dog’s tail? These nutlets are from houndstongue (cynoglossum officinale), a member of the borage family. Introduced from Europe, this plant is poisonous to wildlife and livestock. The first year’s growth is a rosette on the ground of velvety-looking leaves that are actually rough to the touch. The following June the plant will grow up to 4 feet and produce clusters of reddish-purplish flowers on the branch ends. The best way to control it is to pull it. After a good rain, put on some gloves, grab a bucket and a shovel, and do a houndstongue patrol on your property. Non-native plants are designated as weeds when their presence is harmful to other plants and animals. To learn more, visit mtweed.org. For information on submitting information to the city of Whitefish about potential noxious weeds, visit http://www.cityofwhitefish.org/report-an-issue/report-an-issue.php.