Over the past several years, land managers and ranchers in Marin and Sonoma counties have been concerned with the spread of woolly distaff thistle (Carthamus lanatus). However, there is very little research conducted on the control of this species. Because of the lack of direct information on its management, land managers have relied on information previously published on yellow starthistle (Centaurea solstitialis). Yellow starthistle is a related species with some phenological similarities to woolly distaff thistle, but it does not provide a perfect analogy.

As a result, we tested a number of herbicides for the control of distaff thistle at two timings (mid-winter and spring) and two rates in Marin County. Our...

For years, the diagnostic program for weeds of the western United States was only available on CD format. With many computers moving away from CD drives, fewer people were able to use the identification tool. However, both the broadleaf weeds and the grass weeds are now available in a flash drive format, which is not only more convenient to carry and easier to use, but more versatile on most PC-based computers. The program still contains 754 broadleaf species and another 231 grass or grass-like species. In total, the program allows for the identification of 985 species. A number of native perennial grasses are also included to help restorationists determine what species are becoming established after initiating a revegetation program....

On Monday, March 17, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife Habitat Conservation Planning Branch is organizing a two hour lecture by Dr. Joe DiTomaso on the biology, ecology and management of yellow starthistle. The department has not only arranged for the lecture to be presented to participants in attendance, but it will also be available as a live webinar. The presentation will discuss why and how yellow starthistle became so widespread in California and all the possible management strategies, including herbicides, mechanical removal, burning, grazing, and biological control and how these strategies can be best applied to minimize non-target species damage. Dr. DiTomaso will also include an...

The Weed Science Society of America (WSSA) Public Awareness Committee with contributions from WSSA members, released a new fact sheet on weeds.
The press release text is pasted the text below (in black) or you can click HERE for the direct link.  Click here for a link to the pdf.
Brad

 WSSA OFFERS NEW FACT SHEET ON WEEDS, THE...