Blueweed

• Native to Europe.
• Biennial or short lived perennial.
• Blue, purple or pink flowers on upper part of stalk.
• Small stiff hairs on stem and leaves, leaves feel rough.
• Stems have dark spots.
• Grows in dry, rocky and/or shallow soils.

Flowers may be blue, purple or pink.

Stem has stiff hairs and dark spots.

Basal rosette: leaves are covered in hairs and have distinct midline.

Taproot is dark-coloured and thick.

 

• Invades rangelands and pastures, impacting livestock.
• Contain pyrrolizidine alkaloids, which can be toxic to horses and cattle when ingested.
• Seeds can contaminate clover and other crop seeds.
• Host for plant diseases including alfalfa mosaic virus and tobacco mosaic virus.
• Seeds can remain viable for up to 36 months depending on conditions.

• Blueweed is present in some parts of the CKISS region.
• It is currently classified as Eradicate/Annual Control on the CKISS Annual Priority List.
• There are a few Invasive Plant Management Areas (IPMAs) where this species has not been found, so it is classified as Regional EDRR for those IPMAs.
• CKISS is taking steps to monitor and manage blueweed.
• To learn more about how CKISS classifies and manages invasive species, see our Invasive Species Priority Lists page.

• Pull or dig when soil is moist to control small infestations.
• Proper pasture and rangeland management practices like minimizing soil disturbance and overgrazing.
• Chemical control may work on larger infestations.
• Become PlantWise and learn about Grow Me Instead. Select alternative, non-invasive plants.

Blueweed | A Guide to Weeds in British Columbia
Blueweed | ISCBC
Blueweed Factsheet | Alberta Invasive Plant Council
Blueweed | Montana State University