Dalmatian toadflax

In British Columbia, Dalmatian toadflax occurs most frequently in the Southern Interior invading open, low-elevation, coniferous forests and adjacent shrub-steppe habitat. It is most commonly found on sandy or gravely soil on roadsides, railroads, pastures, cultivated fields, rangelands and clear cuts. While toadflax can rapidly colonize disturbed or cultivated ground, plants can also invade healthy native plant communities.

• Toadflax displaces native vegetation; it is particularly competitive with winter annuals and shallow-rooted perennials.
• It can reduce forage production for livestock and other ungulates.
• Some researchers claim that Dalmatian Toadflax is toxic to livestock when consumed in significant amounts (reports of livestock poisonings are rare).

• Immediately re-vegetate disturbed, bare soils with a suitable seed mix that provides dense, early colonization to prevent weed invasion.
• Regularly patrol your property for Dalmatian toadflax plants and immediately treat new patches.
• Cooperate with adjacent landowners and encourage them to control Dalmatian toadflax.
• Clean vehicles and machinery of plant material and soil before leaving a toadflax infestation.
• Follow a well-designed grazing plan; excessive livestock grazing reduces competition and favours invasive plants.

• Hand pulling is most successful where soils are sandy and/or moist, allowing for removal of as much root as possible.
• Hand-cutting to ground level in spring or early summer can eliminate seed production and dispersal.
• Mowing is less effective because it leaves several cm of stem above the soil surface that may allow plants to re-sprout more rapidly.
• Physical removal must be repeated annually for at least ten years to completely deplete the seed bank.
• Before applying herbicides, read the label for full use and precautionary instructions. For further information on the selection and application of chemicals to protect your crop, contact AgriService BC at 1-888-221-7141 or email AgriServiceBC@gov.bc.ca
• Mecinus janthiniformis is a weevil that has been used in the Okanagan Valley to treat Dalmatian Toadflax.
• Other bioagents include: Calaphasia lunula and Rhinusa antirrhini.