What are Noxious Freshwater Weeds?
Freshwater weeds are plants that are not native to Washington, are generally of limited distribution, and pose a serious threat to our state. Plants considered to be nonnative were not present in Washington prior to European settlement. Because nonnative plants have few controls in their new habitat, they spread rapidly, destroying native plant and animal habitat, damaging recreational opportunities, lowering property values, and clogging waterways. Some noxious weeds can even harm humans and animals. The sap of giant hogweed, a plant that grows in wet areas, can cause severe burns. Nonnative aquatic plants have been introduced to Washington as ornamental plants (purple loosestrife, giant hogweed), as water garden plants (parrot feather milfoil), and as aquarium plants (Eurasian watermilfoil, Brazilian elodea, fanwort). They escaped into our waterbodies through floods, by people discarding aquarium plants, and by being deliberately planted. Once introduced, these invasive plants rapidl
Related Questions
- What are the risks of the introduction and/or spread of noxious weeds within the Last Chance treatment areas and what plans does the Forest Service have to combat noxious weeds?
- How do I know whether or not seed has been certified and tested for purity, germination, and noxious weeds?
- What are Noxious Freshwater Weeds?
