Houndstonque 
(Cynoglossum officinale)

County Management Strategy: Suppression above approximately 7,000 feet elevation. Eradication below approximately 7,000 feet elevation.

Identification: Houndstongue is a biennial plant with rough hairy leaves that can be 1-12 inches long and 1-3 inches wide. Flowers can be maroon or white, are about 1/4" in diameter, and appear bell shaped. The seed pods (nutlets) are covered with hooked spines and provide a mechanism for dispersal on clothing and fur. The pods are flattened and somewhat heart shaped. A common name locally is beggar’s lice.

Other names: None

Similar Species: Other plants with sticky seeds, such as nodding beggar’s tick, western sticktight and catchweed bedstraw, can be confused with houndstongue. The shape of the seeds and/or the presence of stout straight spines on the seeds can distinguish these from houndstongue.

Control Timing: In the rosette or early bolting stage.

Control target: Prevent seed production.

Control Methods: Mechanical removal is very effective for small infestations, particularly after plants have bolted, when herbicides may not be as effective. Rosettes should be killed manually or with herbicides in the spring or fall. Plants that are bolting should be removed manually or sprayed as soon as possible. Flowering plants should be removed manually and mature flowerheads bagged to prevent seed spread. Beware to remove all seeds from clothing, shoes, shoelaces, etc. No biological agents are available for this species.

Status in Mesa County: Found in pastures, forests and roadsides, primarily in higher elevations of eastern Mesa County, particularly in the Battlement Mountains north of Collbran.

Toxicity: Houndstongue is extremely toxic to cattle and horses, less so to sheep. It produces alkaloids that cause liver damage.

Photos:
http://www.agf.gov.bc.ca/cropprot/weedguid/houndst.htm

Fact sheets and control:
http://www.weedsbc.ca/weed_desc/hounds.html