FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Tuesday, July 12, 2011

CONTACT:
Liz Erickson, Communications Coordinator
763.219.9386, Liz.erickson@state.mn.us

MDA announces weed alert in Washington County

ST. PAUL, Minn. – The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is warning Washington County residents to keep an eye out for the noxious weed, Grecian foxglove (Digitalis lanata), known to be in the county. All parts of Grecian foxglove are toxic to humans, livestock and wildlife. Toxins are most dangerous when ingested but can also be absorbed through direct contact with skin. Most infestations are in eastern Washington County and occur in open, sunny areas such as roadsides, residential yards, grasslands, river bluffs, and forest borders.

Grecian foxglove is a perennial that develops a rosette during the first summer. In the second and subsequent years, Grecian foxglove produces a stalk with tubular white flowers speckled with brownish-purple markings inside. Seeds develop in pods that have small hooks, enabling the pods to be transported by animal fur or clothing. There are wooly hairs on the stem and flower bud. Other garden foxglove varieties can be distinguished by the lack of wooly hairs.

“Summer is the perfect time to identify Grecian foxglove because it is flowering,” said Geir Friisoe, MDA Plant Protection Division Director. “Identify infestations now and make a multi-year plan to control them in the spring and fall. Be sure to eliminate infestations that children are likely to be in contact with as quickly as possible.”

Since Grecian foxglove is a prohibited noxious weed on the state’s eradicate list, all of the above and below ground parts of the plant must be destroyed, as required by Minnesota Statutes. The best way to control populations is to apply herbicide to the spring and fall rosettes. For specific herbicide recommendations, contact the University of Minnesota Extension at http://www1.extension.umn.edu/about/offices/. Repeated hand-pulling Grecian foxglove plants is an option for small infestations but caution must be exercised due to concerns about exposure to toxins and disposal issues. Protective gloves and clothing must be worn and flowering seedheads must be bagged or burned to prevent seed spread. Frequent mowing during the growing season for multiple years may control this species if flowering is prevented. Grecian foxglove can flower and produce seed on a short stem after mowing. So preventing all flowering may be a challenge.

Qualifying landowners such as agricultural producers may receive technical and possibly financial assistance for noxious weed management, including Grecian foxglove, from the USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS). The NRCS Farmington Service Center serves Washington County and can be contacted at 651-463-8626.

For more information, visit MDA’s website at http://www.mda.state.mn.us/plants/badplants/foxglove.aspx.

NOTE: Jyneen Thatcher, a Natural Resource Specialist with the Washington Conservations District, is trained and experienced in identifying Grecian foxglove. Washington County citizens can email pictures of plants they suspect are Grecian foxglove to her at: jyneen.thatcher@mnwcd.org or call her at 651-275-1136 x37.

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