Stem

Generally grows 2-5 ft. tall; highly branched with numerous stems that arise from the crown

Leaves

Pinnately-compound with 5-8 pairs of leaflets; leaflets are oval to lance-shaped, 0.5-1.5 in. long and lack hair (glabrous); edges (margins) are smooth

Flower

Purple to white, less than 0.5 in. long and clustered on stalks at tips of branches
Pods are 1-2 in. long and contain numerous seeds

Root

Non-spreading taproot; roots associate with nitrogen-fixing bacteria

Photo of goatsrue seed pods

Other

Grows best in moist areas; often found in fencelines, pastures, roadsides, marshy areas and along waterways; not known to occur in Nevada
Native to the Middle East; introduced to northern Utah as a potential forage plant but was found to be unpalatable and highly toxic to livestock
Listed on the Federal Noxious Weed List

Control

Hand removal of individual plants can limit spread of small infestations; mowing and tillage (particularly shallow tillage) are NOT effective
Apply 2,4-D, dicamba or triclopyr to actively growing plants; apply aminocyclopyrachlor, aminopyralid, chlorsulfuron, metsulfuron or picloram pre- or post emergence

Blecker, L., Creech, E., Dick, J., Gephart, S., Hefner, M., Kratsch, H., Moe, A., Schultz, B. 2020, Nevada Noxious Weed Field Guide – Goatsrue, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno, Field Guide

Learn more about the author(s)

Heidi Kratsch

Also of Interest:


Needs Assessment for Noxious Weeds in Churchill County: Part 4 of 5 - Criteria for Herbicide Use and Selection This fact sheet is the fourth in a series of five that reports the results of a needs assessment survey completed by faculty in University of Nevada Cooperative Extension (UNCE). The survey attempted to identify the major issues related to the management and control of weeds in N... Davison, J., Powell, P., Schultz, B., and Singletary, L. 2012, University of Nevada Cooperative Extension
Nevada’s Priority Agricultural Weeds: Hoary Cress Plants commonly referred to as hoary cress (Cardaria sp.), or short whitetop, are one of three different but closely related perennial forbs. The Cardaria species are widespread across all eleven Western states, including every county in Nevada. B. Schultz, S. Foster 2021, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno, SP-21-03
Nevada Noxious Weed Field Guide – African mustard African mustard is a noxious weed that has been identified by the state of Nevada to be harmful to agriculture, the general public, or the environment. Learn more about this weed. Blecker, L., Creech, E., Dick, J., Gephart, S., Hefner, M., H. Kratsch, Moe, A., Schultz, B. 2020, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno, Field Guide
Nevada Noxious Weed Field Guide – Common crupina Common crupina is a noxious weed that has been identified by the state of Nevada to be harmful to agriculture, the general public, or the environment. Learn more about this weed. Blecker, L., Creech, E., Dick, J., Gephart, S., Hefner, M., Kratsch, H., Moe, A., Schultz, B. 2020, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno, Field Guide
Nevada Noxious Weed Field Guide – Common St. Johnswort Common St. Johnswort is a noxious weed that has been identified by the state of Nevada to be harmful to agriculture, the general public, or the environment. Learn more about this weed. Blecker, L., Creech, E., Dick, J., Gephart, S., Hefner, M., Kratsch, H., Moe, A., Schultz, B. 2020, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno, Field Guide

Nevada Noxious Weed Field Guide – Goatsrue