IDENTIFICATION
Regional Noxious. Biennial to short-lived perennial.
A rosette in spring, blueweed
by late June is 0.3 - 0.8 metre tall, with bright blue blossoms covering
the upper sides of the stems. By August, 3 millimetres long, greyish,
wrinkled nutlets
in groups of four appear along the stems. Blueweed has rough hairy
leaves which become progressively smaller towards the top of the plant.
Hairs on stems often have swollen dark bases that form noticeable flecks.
DAMAGE
Blueweed is not usually found in cultivated crops, but can invade
rangelands and pastures. Seeds can contaminate clover and other crop seeds.
HABITAT
Blueweed grows in dry roadsides, disturbed habitats, rocky pastures,
and rangelands at low- to mid-elevations in British Columbia. Frequent
in the central and south central areas of the province, it is a major
concern in the Kootenay, Okanagan, Thompson, and Cariboo regions.
SPREAD
Most seeds fall to the ground near the parent plant. The rough seeds can
stick to clothing, animal fur, and feathers.
