Goatsrue
Galega officinalis

Goatsrue has a very limited distribution in Washington state, and the only known field locations are in King County. As a Class A noxious weed, eradication is required. It is sometimes offered for sale as a garden ornamental, but it is on the Prohibited Plants List (external link) in Washington State, and it is illegal to buy, sell, transport or offer this species for sale. Goatsrue is also listed as a federal noxious weed.

King County currently has only a few known sites mostly in Federal Way, and they are all being actively controlled. We also work with neighboring county noxious weed control programs to alert them about locations. Goatsrue is very difficult to eradicate once established and it is very important to act quickly to control any new infestations.  Goatsrue was introduced to Utah where it quickly spread to cover over 60 acres infesting cropland, irrigation waterways, pastures, fence lines, roadways and wet marsh areas. Goatsrue is fatal if ingested and eradication efforts have been costly and time consuming in Utah.  We are working to prevent the same thing from happening in Washington State.

Goatsrue is a perennial herb that can be from 2 - 6 feet tall. Its pea like flowers vary from light purple to white and resemble those of a vetch, and they are found in clusters at the tops of the stems and from leaf axils. Goatsrue differs from a vetch because it is upright, not clambering, and lacks tendrils on the tips of the leaves.  Roots are deep and persistent.

Goatsrue (Galega officinalis) photos - click thumbnail for larger image