Weed of the Month - Spurge Laurel
 
This month's featured invasive plant is Spurge Laurel (Daphne laureola).
Spurge laurel is very visible right now as it will remain green during the winter months. It has a growth habit and foliage somewhat similar to a rhododendron, but the flowers are small and green. After the flowers, shiny black fruits will follow. The leaves are smooth and have a semi-glossy appearance. Spurge laurel often volunteers itself in the landscape, often being spread by birds which eat the fruit. Carpets of seedlings may grow unnoticed until they grow to a height making it much more difficult to remove. This plant has a very deep taproot. All parts of the plant are poisonous to humans, as well as to dogs and cats, and the sap can cause severe skin and eye irritation.
Please be on the lookout for this plant, and if you find it in your own landscape, remove it.
Be sure to wear gloves and long sleeves, and remember to be careful to prevent the sap from coming into contact with your skin or eyes.
Weed Management Recommendations for:
More Weed Management Recommendations for additional species can be found on our Weed Fact Sheets page.
Additional Publications
Presentations
and Community Activities
Other weed program activities include educational presentations
and displays, creating educational materials, site consultations
for other weeds and poisonous plants, and community weed pull
projects. Throughout the county, we work with all landowners,
from federal and state agencies to local municipalities and
private individuals, to prevent the spread of noxious weeds.
For the Kids!
Our mascot Lucy Loosestrife has visited various community events both locally and around Washington State. Click here and here for Lucy's Coloring Pages and learn why such a pretty plant can also be such an invasive weed!
Puzzled by invasive plants? Click here for a Weedy Word Search puzzle.
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Public Service Announcements
We provide education through Public Service Announcements ("PSA's"). You will be able to view these from links on our PSA site. |
Weed Wrench Loan Program
Got Scotch Broom? The Noxious Weed Board has a loan program for a specialized tool called a Weed Wrench™. Landowners in Whatcom County may borrow this tool for a week at a time at no cost. It's especially useful in removing scotch broom plants, but can also be used on other woody plants such as Himalayan blackberry and spurge laurel. If you would like to try out a Weed Wrench, please call the Weed Board office at 715-7470 to reserve one for pick up.
Poisonous Plants of Whatcom County
 Are you wondering about some of the plants lurking out in your pastures? Some of them could be toxic to your animals. Some are toxic to people too. "Livestock-Poisoning Plants of Whatcom County Pastures" in its third printing is available for free from the Noxious Weed Program. This booklet identifies 13 commonly found toxic plants in Whatcom County, their toxicity levels, which parts are poisonous and which animals are susceptible. There is also a list of landscape plants you should avoid planting near your pastures.
Click on the above title or the image on the right to view this new publication, or call the office at 715-7470 if you would like to receive a free hard copy.
Garden Wise
If you would like some suggested alternative plants to those botanical bullies,a booklet titled “Garden Wise: Non-Invasive Plants for Your Garden” is available for free at the Weed Board office: 360-715-7470. A July 2008 revised edition is now available. You can also view the booklet online here:
http://www.nwcb.wa.gov/nwcb_publications.htm
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