Houndstongue, Cynoglossum officinale, is a member of the borage family. It is an annoying noxious weed. The seed pods form burs that stick to your pants and pets, and the plants are toxic to horses, cattle, sheep and goats. The blossoms are small, five-petaled and reddish purple. The stems are 1-4-feet tall. The leaves are velvety and long, and they narrow toward the apex. Houndstongue has a taproot.

Houndstongue Prevention and Treatment
Houndstongue seems to be gaining foothold in the Swan Valley. The plant is a biennial. Hand pulling and clipping the blossoms can be effective in reducing the spread of houndstongue. Herbicides should be applied by a trained applicator at the rates recommended by the product manufacturer.

Any effective treatment should include re-vegetation with native plants or other desirable vegetation.

For more information visit Missoula County Weed District.