Description:
A perennial herb that ranges from 2–6 feet tall. Each plant can produce up to 20 stems from a vigorous crown and a deep tap root. The leaves are alternate, odd-pinnate, with six to ten pairs of leaflets. The tip of each leaflet has a small hair-like appendage. The stems are hollow and cylindrical, tubular. The stipules (leaf-like appendage at the base of the leaf stem) is sagittate (arrowhead shaped) and toothed and lobed. The pea like flowers are whitish to bluish to purplish, and are found in terminal or axillary racemes. Goatsrue produces 1-9 seeds per pod, and each plant can produce 15,000 pods per plant, or more. The seed pods are narrow, round in cross section, and about 1 inch long. The seeds are dull yellow, bean-shaped and 2 1⁄2 times larger than alfalfa seeds. Seeds may be viable in the soil for 5-10 years, but testing continues on seed longevity.

• Mechanical: Shallow cultivation, mowing, clipping and cutting are not recommended as a solitary control method. Flowers will be produced on very small plants. Seed pods can be clipped and disposed of to help prevent spread by seed in areas of eradication work.
• Biological: None known.
• Herbicide: Selective herbicides are considered the most effective for large sites. Dicamba, or 2,4-D and their combinations are very effective. Clipping initial growth at 24" tall, and then spraying the regrowth at the same height is the most effective (Evans 1984). Be sure to check labels for site specific information on herbicide control before use. Refer to the State Noxious Weed Control Board site

For More Information:
Detailed information about Goatsrue is available at the Washington State Noxious Weed Control Board Web Site.