BACKGROUND: Goatsrue is native to the Middle East. It grows best in moist areas, especially along waterways, also along field edges, roadsides, and pastures. It reproduces by seed that spread mainly by irrigation flows. In Utah it is known to exist only in Cache County.
DESCRIPTION: Goatsrue is a very prolific, taprooted, perennial legume growing from two to five feet in height. Stems are green from the ground up. Leaves are compound pinnate with five to eight pairs of leaflets. Purple, blue or white flowers grow along the tops of stems, and produce one-inch spike shaped seedpods. Bloom occurs in late spring.
CONTROL: Biocontrol is not available. Select herbicides can offer good to excellent control when applied to actively growing plants from spring to late summer. Contact your local state or county weed specialist for specific updated information.
Photos and text taken from Noxious Weed Field Guide for Utah
