Noxious Weeds List | Field 2 Field

Tree of heaven (Ailanthus altissima) is a deciduous tree native to China, Taiwan, and Vietnam. It was brought to the U.S. in the late 1700s as an ornamental shade tree. Today this tree is found in most of the Continental U.S., Hawaii, and Canada. It looks similar to staghorn sumac, ash, and walnut and has a strong, offensive odor that some describe as being similar to rotting peanuts. In 2020, the Minnesota Department of Agriculture changed the regulated noxious weed designation of tree of heaven from Restricted to Prohibited Eradicate, meaning that all tree of heaven plants must be eliminated.

Tree of heaven is fast growing, can reach 90 feet in height, and live 30 to 70 years. This species is highly adaptable and tolerant of disturbance. It is dioecious, meaning there are separate male and female plants. Female plants produce prolific amounts of seed, up to 325,000 seeds per year. Tree of heaven spreads aggressively in response to above-ground cutting or root breaking. Root fragments found in infested soil may start new populations.

*Tree of heaven with mature seeds. Courtesy: Barbara Tokarska-Guzik, University of Silesia, Bugwood.org*

Tree of heaven is the preferred host for the invasive spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula). Spotted lanternfly can attack over 65 tree species, including trees grown in Minnesota. Spotted lanternfly was detected in Pennsylvania in 2014 and has spread to surrounding states over the last several years, but it has not been found in Minnesota.

weed — *An adult spotted lanternfly. Courtesy: Lawrence Barringer, Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, Bugwood.org*

Tree of heaven may play a particularly important role in the spotted lanternfly lifecycle. To date, only two tree of heaven plants have been found in Minnesota, and both populations were eradicated. It is unknown if the absence of tree of heaven will affect the ability of spotted lanternfly to establish in this state. If you suspect that you have found a tree of heaven or spotted lanternfly:

Note the exact location with address or GPS coordinates.
If it is possible, take digital photos of the tree – whole plant, rosettes, flowers, and seed stalks – and suspected spotted lanternfly that can be emailed for identification.
Infestations can be reported to one of two places:
1. The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) by email at arrest.the.pest@state.mn.us or voicemail 1-888-545-6684
2. Directly to EDDMapS through the Great Lakes Early Detection Network app on a smartphone or tablet.

To learn more about the MDA’s Noxious and Invasive Weed Program and the Noxious Weed Law and Lists, please visit: www.mda.state.mn.us/weedcontrol

Grecian foxglove (Digitalis lanata) is a beautiful but toxic invasive plant. It was brought to North America from its native Europe as an ornamental plant. Grecian foxglove thrives in sunny to partially shaded areas and has been found in Washington County, Minnesota. All plant parts are toxic, alive or dried, necessitating careful handling with protective clothing and equipment. This is a threat to humans and other animals. Additionally, Grecian foxglove overtakes and unbalances the ecosystems it takes root in.Grecian foxglove is a perennial plant that forms a rosette then sends up a flowering stem its second and subsequent years. The flowering stems are 2-5 feet tall. Its leaves are oblong-shaped with pointed tips and are simple and alternately placed on the stem. Flower color ranges from white to faint yellow with brownish-purple venation inside. Some of the ways Grecian foxglove can be distinguished from its look alike, common or garden foxglove (Digitalis purpurea), is that Grecian Foxglove has woolly hairs located on the stems and sepals, green petals that surround and protect the flower bud, and garden foxglove’s flowers display a much wider color spectrum.

Grecian foxglove (Digitalis lanata) is a beautiful but toxic invasive plant. It was brought to North America from its native Europe as an ornamental plant. The noxious weed thrives in sunny to partially-shaded areas and has been found in Washington County, Minnesota. All plant parts are toxic, whether it’s alive and thriving or dead and dried out, which means you have to take precautions. Careful handling with protective clothing and equipment is vital to your safety. This is a threat to humans and animals. Additionally, the weed overtakes and unbalances the ecosystems it takes root in, squeezing out other non-invasive plants.

Grecian foxglove synthesizes toxic compounds that impact cardiovascular, neurological and gastrointestinal systems. The poison effects can come after either accidental ingestion or absorption through the skin. Poison symptoms include headache, nausea, vomiting, lethargy, abdominal pain, strange dreams, arrhythmias, and changes in vision.

Please take this seriously. If you suspect foxglove poisoning, call Minnesota Poison Control System at 1-800-222-1222. Obviously, if someone needs immediate help, call 911 if immediate help is needed.

These toxic compounds can be deadly, but when extracted and used properly, they can also be used as a medicine. They can be highly beneficial in treating cardiac arrhythmia, a condition that causes the heart to beat irregularly.

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA), Washington Conservation District, along with the Conservation Corps of Minnesota (CCM), University of Minnesota-Extension, Belwin Conservancy, and private landowners and contractors are all working together to find and eliminate foxglove in Minnesota.

These groups and their efforts are supported by Environment and Natural Resources Trust Funds, as recommended by the Legislative-Citizens Commission on Minnesota Resources. Grecian foxglove is a prohibited and eradicate weed on the Minnesota Noxious Weed List. If you suspect that you have found Grecian Foxglove, please take pictures of the plant, note the exact location, and report to Arrest the Pest at arrest.the.pest@state.mn.us.

Tag: Noxious Weeds List

Weed of the Month: Tree of Heaven?

Foxglove, a conflicted MDA Weed of the Month