Download THE ENEMY: Poverty sumpweed (Ica axillaris) STRATEGY: This is a

THE ENEMY: Poverty sumpweed (Ica axillaris)
STRATEGY: This is a perennial plant that is native to the Western United States. The plant only grows to
a height of about 12 inches or less, is a dull green color which is produced by small oblong rough-hairy
leaves. It produces very small seeds which come off small heads of yellow flowers. The plant spreads
more by rhizomes than it does by seeds, so you will usually find it growing in small uniform patches
Attack: . You will find this plant invading disturbed grounds especially along railroads and roadways. It
can aslo be found in cultivated crops, range, and pastures. It hangs around in saline and alkaline soils
and can destroy the smaller less dense forage areas and become a source of undesirable forage. As the
plant grows along the roadways it can actually break up the edges and destroy the integrity of the
roadway. As this becomes a weed it replaces valuable forage and because the animals do not graze it, it
is allowed to grow and continues to remove necessary vegetation.
DEFENSE: Keeping a healthy pasture or crop (watering, fertilization, grazing, or cultivating) is best for
keeping this and other unwanted plants from invading your land. Once this weed is prevalent,
mechanical control is not recommended as is with all perennial-rhizomatous plants. As this is in the
aster family herbicides such as Milestone, Opensight, Curtail, Telar XP, or in non-pasture and non-crop
areas – a new product called Perspective is awesome. Use of a good quality surfactant (sticker like
product) is very key as this weed puts on a heavy wax coat that allows it to survive hot dry climates. If
you suspect you have this native plant that has become a weed then call for proper identification and
seek quality help.