New Threats

Each Spring the Department of Agriculture sends a newsletter to all of the weed directors informing them of new invasive species that have appeared in Kansas. This year the letter included the following:

Several new infestations of dalmation toadflax have bee found. This is a serious weed in states north and west of Kansas. Dalmation toadflax and it's close relativem"butter and eggs" are very difficult to control.

Purple loosestrife (purple lythrum, spiked loosestrife) is another invader that needs to be watched for and documented when wild populations are found. A leaf feeding beetle was released in Doniphan County for the first time to control a population of purple loosestrife at the 4-H lake at Troy. Additional insects were released again at the city lake in Pleasanton. Federal Reservoirs and lakes and wetlands near cities are the most likely places to find this escaped ornamental.

Salt cedar or tamarix is an invasive tree that is causing much concern in the western part of Kansas. Salt cedar is a very high water user that when allowed to displace native species can reduce or eliminate stream flow. It is a prolific seeder that will become much more dense than native species such as cottonwoods. Several counties in western Kansas are discussing nad working toward finding solutions to the salt cedar invasion.

For further information on these plants contact your local weed office or of the Department of Agriculture.