Power County Noxious Weed Control

05/29/2026

White Bryony
White bryony is an herbaceous perennial vine with climbing stems that grow 12 feet long, or more. It has thick, fleshy, light yellow roots. Stems have long curling, not branched tendrils and the flowers are from leaf axils. It forms dense mats which shade out all vegetation it grows upon. It occurs as a climber in trees and fence rows. It grows in disturbed areas, riparian areas, and roadsides. White bryony has black mature berries with 3 to 6 ovoid to oblong seeds in each one. The berries are especially poisonous (though all parts of the plant are). White bryony reproduces by seed that is spread by birds. Plants can also resprout from the roots. It is very hard to control. Cutting the plants back is ineffective as plants will re-sprout from tubers. You must dig out the tuber in its entirety. An herbicide can be injected into the tuber and it seems to be pretty effective. Please contact Power County Noxious W**d Control for more information.

05/21/2026

Houndstongue is a native of Europe. It thrives in disturbed soils along roadsides, trails, in pastures, and rangelands. Because of the bur-like seed, it spreads widely along travel corridors as a passenger on clothing or animal fur. It is toxic to livestock. Houndstongue produces more than 600 burs per plant, and up to 2,000 seeds. Houndstongue prefers forest sites and thrives especially well in forest openings cleared by logging operations and road construction. Houndstongue is shade-tolerant and not tolerant of drier grassland areas. Mechanical: Mow bolting plants before seed formation to reduce seeds; hand dig plants two inches below the crown; regular cultivation. Cultural: Manage lawn and pastures for good grass health. Biological: None approved in the U.S. yet. Chemical: Susceptible to several herbicides. Contact Power County Noxious W**d Control for more information.

05/14/2026

Poison Hemlock is a member of the plant family Apiaceae, which contains a few important crops such as carrots, celery, and parsnips. This w**d is a tall, invasive, and highly poisonous w**d that is sometimes mistaken for other plants. It is most commonly mistaken for Queen Anne's Lace. Poison hemlock is toxic to humans and to livestock if ingested by affecting the respiratory, central nervous, and reproductive systems. Some humans and animals can experience dermatitis on the skin just by coming into direct contact with this w**d due to the toxicity. All parts of this plant are poisonous and can be fatal to livestock and humans if ingested. Poison hemlock is a flowering plant that takes two years to complete its life cycle. The biennial w**d can grow six to ten feet tall. During the first year, growth is limited to a rosette of dark green leaves. More growth is observed in the second year, where the plant develops branching and alternately arranged leaves on erect stems. This erect plant has smooth, hollow stems that are covered with purple spots or has reddish colored stems Each leaf is made up of several pairs of leaflets, multi-stemmed, and fern-like. During the reproductive stages, the flowers are white umbrella-like clusters that during June and July, turning to fruit that is small, flat, and grayish-green in color from August to September. The root system is a fleshy white, with a long and sometimes branched taproot. Poison hemlock grows at low elevations bordering pastures and cropland. This w**d grows where moisture is adequate and disturbance of its surroundings is relatively frequent, such as streams, ditches, riparian woodlands, and flood plains. Seeds that were carried by flood waters can explain patches of poison hemlock that are found in areas outside the normal water levels. When do decide to treat plan to control them from the ground up. Keep in mind that sap of this plant is toxic. You do not want your skin to come into contact with the sap, and you do not want to burn these plants in case of accidental inhalation by someone or by a nearby animal. There are several herbicides (e.g. glyphosate, or 2,4-D) on the market to control poison hemlock, so take care which product you select and make sure that you follow the directions on the label for dosage, application, and what personal protection you should wear during application. Most of these herbicides are going to require you to act early in the season when this plant is in a seeding or small rosette stage. This may require you to carefully spot spray the rosette at a given height with the appropriate dosage of the herbicide that you are applying for control. Keep in mind that the problem is not going to go away with one application of herbicide; this w**d is persistent. You may need to combine mechanical and chemical control for best results, and it may take several years to control this w**d. When pulling the plants by hand, the entire taproot needs to be removed from the soil to prevent regrowth. Plowing or repeated cultivation of newly germinated plants can prevent the w**d from becoming re-established in the area. If plowing or cultivation is not an option, repeated mowing once the plants have bolted but before they bloom will reduce seed production and can be key to controlling and eradication. You can report problems to Power County Noxious W**d Control for help in controlling this w**d.

05/08/2026

Rush Skeletonw**d-New Invader
Rush Skeletonw**d, Chondrilla juncea L., originated from Eurasia and belongs to the sunflower family. Rush skeletonw**d was first identified in the Pacific Northwest from Spokane County, Washington in 1938. This species is a stoutly taprooted perennial, reaching heights between 1 and 4 feet at maturity. Stems are slender and generally smooth, except on the base which exhibits course, downward bent hairs (distinguishing characteristic). Alternating leaves are inconspicuous; early stage rosettes resemble that of a dandelion. Scattered flowerheads are present from July to the first frost. Flowerheads retain yellow flowers; petals are flat across the end and distinctly toothed. This vigorous w**d regenerates through seeds as well as lateral root segments. An average of 1500 flowerheads is produced per plant each with (usually) 10-12 flowers. Each flower produces one seed so seed production can be as high as 15,000 seeds annually. Each seed has a tuft of fine hairs which aids in its dispersal via wind. Damaged leaves and stems secrete milky white latex. Once established, rush skeletonw**d can reduce crop yields by as much as 70 percent. Competing for water and nitrogen, it can severely reduce crop yield and forage for livestock and wildlife, and its wiry branches interfere with harvest. Rush skeletonw**d infiltrates roadsides, waste areas, disturbed soil, wheat and farm land. If seen, please contact Power County Noxious W**d Control.

04/29/2026

Field Bindw**d
Field bindw**d is a prostrate plant unless it climbs on an object for support. It often is found growing on upright plants, such as shrubs or grapevines, with its stems and leaves entwined throughout the plant and the flowers exposed to the light. Under warm, moist conditions, leaves are larger and vines more robust than under drought conditions. The root system has both deep vertical and shallow horizontal lateral roots. The vertical roots can reach depths of 20 feet or more. However, 70% of the total mass of the root structure occupies the top 2 feet of soil. Most of these lateral roots are no deeper than 1 foot. Experiments on bindw**d have shown that its root and rhizome growth can reach 2 1/2 to 5 tons per acre. Once established, field bindw**d is nearly impossible to fully eradicate. It outcompetes native plants species and can reduce crop yields. It forms an extensive root system, often climbing or forming dense tangled mats. Flowers are bell or funnel-shaped, white to pinkish and approximately 1 inch in diameter. They have 2 small bracts located 1 inch below the flower. It can grow in a wide range of conditions from full sun to full shade and is drought-tolerant. It is found in ravines, greenbelts, forested parks and farmlands as well as residential settings such as driveways, flower gardens and ornamental borders.

04/23/2026

Please be on the lookout for Dyer's Woad. It is only in small areas of our county right now but is very invasive and difficult to get rid of. If you find it, please let us know by calling 208-226-7627.

04/08/2026

03/31/2026

Obnoxious vs. Noxious W**ds
Buttercup Burr Vs. Puncturevine

The Oxford Dictionary describes a w**d as a wild plant growing where it is not wanted and in competition with cultivated plants. It could be undesirable in our lawns, in our crops, or in our pastures. Sometimes these are considered obnoxious w**ds. They do not harm the environment, they just drive us crazy trying to control them or remove them from the space we’d really rather not have them. On the other hand, we also have what are considered noxious w**ds. These are plants that are designated by our federal, state or local government to be harmful to public health, agriculture, wildlife, recreation, or property. These w**ds usually overrun the native plants, spread widely, and often lack natural enemies that curtail the growth. Sometimes becoming resistant to chemical treatment. Each state maintains their own listed noxious w**ds.
Let’s take a look in our own area. The snow has melted and the sun has warmed the ground just a little. You are walking around your yard or your neighborhood, you may see little groups of short, light green stems poking out of the ground. You will most likely see them in the gravel of your alley, your driveways, maybe your grass. Soon you’ll start to see some small yellow blooms. Next, you’ll find those pretty little blooms turn into the pokiest little stickers that attach to your shoes, your pets, and if you are unfortunate, your bare foot. Some call these “goatheads” but they are actually buttercup burr. Buttercup Burr is an example of obnoxious w**d. The good news is they can be treated with herbicide and mechanically. It is best to take care of them before they get the sticker or seed pod on because these seeds are viable for 2 years, and some sources say up to 20 years.
Puncturevine or Goatheads usually come later in the season. This is listed as a noxious w**d in the state of Idaho. They start out as a small, woody looking stem, with dark green, hairy leaves. They also produce a yellow flower the same as the buttercup burr. As they grow they form a dense mat, with stems up to 6 feet long. The fruit or the goathead is a burr with rigid, sharp spines that break apart into 5 sections. They will puncture a bike tire and stick into the sole of your shoes. If you step on one with your bare foot, screaming has been known to help! These spines can cause damage to animals and people. The seeds are viable in the ground for up to 5 years, some sources say up to 20 years. Puncturevine can be treated with herbicide, biological control, and mechanically.
If you have questions on what w**ds are on the Idaho noxious w**d list you can visit the county website https://www.powercounty.gov/w**d-department/ We have free booklets available in our office with information about the 65 noxious w**ds listed in Idaho with pictures to help you with identification. Power County Noxious W**d Control has funding available to help you fight noxious w**ds on your property through a grant funded cost share program. Contact us for availability.

03/31/2026

Noxious W**ds: The Cancer of our Land
TITLE 22
AGRICULTURE AND HORTICULTURE
CHAPTER 24
NOXIOUS W**DS
22-2407. LANDOWNER AND CITIZEN DUTIES. (1) It shall be the duty and responsibility of all landowners to control noxious w**ds on their land and property, in accordance with this chapter and with rules promulgated by the director.
(2) The cost of controlling noxious w**ds shall be the obligation of the landowner.
(3) Noxious w**d control must be for prevention, eradication, rehabilitation, control or containment efforts. However, areas may be modified from the eradication requirement if the landowner is a participant in a county-approved w**d management plan or county-approved cooperative w**d management area.
(4) The landowner shall reimburse the county control authority for work done because of failure to comply with a five (5) day notice, as outlined in section 22-2405, Idaho Code.

Control and managing noxious w**ds in the State of Idaho requires and understanding of the problem, and that begins with detection and identification of noxious w**ds.
W**ds cost millions of dollars to our State by:
• degrading wildlife habitat,
• choking steams and waterways,
• crowding out beneficial native plants,
• creating fire hazards in our forests and on our ranges,
• poisoning and injuring livestock and humans, and
• fouling recreation sites from use.
The spread of noxious w**ds may signal the decline of entire ecological watersheds. They severely impact the beauty and widespread economic losses.
W**ds are problems for urban as well as rural areas, and for private, state, and federal lands. Noxious w**d species spare no segment of society – rancher, fisher, and biker alike – and when unmanaged they spread rapidly, unceasingly, and silently.
Noxious w**ds pose a serious threat to all Idahoans and to the land we call home.
Booklets are available at 73 Fort Hall Ave. Suite A with information about the noxious w**ds in Idaho. Stop by and pick one up.

03/04/2025

CWMA NOXIOUS W**D CONTROL MEETNG
March 11, 2025
11:00 am to 1:00 pm

AGENDA
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN the Power CWMA noxious w**d control meeting will be held in the Power County Commissioners’ Chambers 543 Bannock Ave., American Falls, ID 83211, 11:00 am to 2:00 pm, Tuesday, March 11, 2025.

CWMA NOXIOUS W**D CONTROL MATTERS NEW BUSINESS:

1. Introductions 11:00 am-11:10 am
2. Mike Ottley, Cassia County W**d Superintendent- “Identifying & Controlling Noxious W**ds & Invasive Species” (1 credit) in person & virtual 11:10 am-12:00 pm
3. County Spray Plan 12:00 pm
4. Discussion about key w**ds that are most problematic in our county and neighboring counties.12:15 pm
5. Board Member Appointments and Renewals 12:30 pm

OLD BUSINESS:

1. Approval of November 13, 2024 Meeting Minutes

**Lunch will be provided at the end of meeting

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Meeting ID: 208 226 7611
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