Mid-Summer Plants of Interest

"Now that the alyssum has dried up and is no longer prevalent, a couple new plants have taken over the range," according to Powder River Extension Agent Mary Rumph. Primarily found in introduced pastures, Woolly Plantain, aka "Indianwheat", is a short fuzzy looking grey-ish forb about 3-5" in height. It has linear leaves and sends up a spike like seed head. It is an annual, native plant most abundant in the year following a wet fall. It is not a serious weed. Abundance may be an indicator of deteriorated range condition. The plant furnishes little forage for cattle and big game animals. The quality is fair, but the plants are so small that few are consumed. It is an important food source for small mammals and birds.

Another obnoxious native annual forb becoming more prevalent is the Western Sticktight.

"It is accurately named," commented Rumph, "because its tiny seeds attach to pants, shoelaces and socks with a vengeance."

On a wet year, it can grow as tall as a foot. It has blue to nearly white inconspicuous flowers. It grows erect, usually single stemmed. The fruit may cause inflammation of the mouths of cattle and may become entangled in wool, decreasing its value.

Anyone with an interest in learning more about grazing systems for range improvements is invited to attend the annual Extension Weed and Range Tour scheduled for Wednesday, July 18th, beginning at the Powderville Hall at 1:30 p.m. In addition to bio-control and weed id apps, Dr. Kevin Sedivic, NDSU Extension Rangeland Management Specialist will discuss new land management strategies designed to increase grazing efficiencies while decreasing overgrazing, increasing the profitability of the livestock producer while providing positive stewardship to the land. These grazing management strategies will improve biotic diversity, wildlife habitat and water quality at a landscape level and decrease weeds.

Please contact the Powder River Extension Office at 436-2424 for additional information.