YAKIMA, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – State officials are alerting the public to be on the lookout for a newly classified noxious weed.
The Washington State Department of Agriculture recently announced the reclassification of the sunflower broomrape. They’ve upgraded the weed to a Class A Noxious Weed after a confirmed detection in Yakima.
Though this is the only confirmed location of the parasitic plant, it can spread quickly through dissemination of its many seeds.
The plant cannot photosynthesize, instead attaching to the roots of a sunflower and other members of the sunflower family to take water and nutrients.
Sunflower broomrape can be very difficult to remove once established as it sheds the tiny seeds into the soil that can stick around for decades.
If you suspect you’ve encountered the invasive species, it is recommended to not disturb the plant.
Take a clear photo of the plant and report to WSDA by emailing pest@agr.wa.gov or by calling 1-800-443-6684 (option 1).
