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Help with an invasive species #867286

Asked May 06, 2024, 4:25 PM EDT

Our lawn is now being invaded by an invasive plant that grows to a height of 6 to 8 feet in the fall. It has a main stem that is slightly fuzzy, and as it grows it develops three leaf stems every few inches. Can it be controlled by cutting it at ground level before the seeds develop or should it be pulled out by the root?

Rutland County Vermont

Expert Response

Hi Ann,

Do you have any photos of the plant? For control, I would like to make sure I am identifying this correctly. Are the flowers yellow (see wild parsnip). If it is wild parsnip, yes you can keep mowing it down so that it does not develop flowers.

I suggest looking at this https://www.vtinvasives.org/gallery-of-land-invasives and if this does not help you identify the plant, please take photos and then I can better help you with control.

Thanks!

Betsy, UVM Extension Master Gardener Volunteerwww.uvm.edu/extension/mastergardenerWe do not intend to endorse any products we mention or criticize products we do not mention.When we include a link to a resource that recommends a chemical, it is for informational purposesonly; the chemicals may not be registered for use in Vermont. Replied May 06, 2024, 6:48 PM EDT

Thanks for your quick response. I don't remember if it had flowers or not. I did not recognize it from the photos you sent. I'll take a picture of one and send it soon, but need new batteries for my camera.

On Monday, May 6, 2024 at 06:48:02 PM EDT, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:

The Question Asker Replied May 07, 2024, 11:54 AM EDT

Hi Ann,

Thanks. A photo will be great when you can get it.

Help with an invasive species #867286

Expert Response

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