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Plant/weed question #576303

Asked July 02, 2019, 3:21 PM EDT

We have an outbreak of a new plant in our area that I cannot identify. It grows densely together, reaching 2-4 feet high. There are multiple groups along the old unused road behind our house, 50-100 feet long, 10-30 feet wide. It has multiple stalks from the base, with flower spikes about 100mm long all the way from the base to the top. The leaves appear in groups of three, separated from the stalk by a stem about 10-15 mm long. The leaves are hairless and 8-15 mm long and 4-6 mm wide. The flowers are small and yellow and put out a lot of pollen that triggers an allergic response. The bees seem to like them. It is relatively easy to pull from the ground. It is definitely not Dalmatian Toad Flax.

Boulder County Colorado

Expert Response

Thanks for your question!
Although your description is thorough, the pictures are a bit unfocused. That being said, it does look like a toadflax. The yellow toadflax often crosses with the Dalmation toadflax, leaving a hybrid. The following fact sheet provides information regarding this weed:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1jG5JhpaA_Xxlqdmx_Jz8zE8tWFzHE6Yk/view
Let me know your thoughts - if this does not match the plant you're seeing, please send another pic.

Happy 4th holiday!
An Ask Extension Expert Replied July 03, 2019, 1:26 PM EDT
Pretty sure it's not Toadflax. I apologize for the poor pictures, here are some better ones.
The Question Asker Replied July 04, 2019, 1:43 PM EDT
Pretty sure it's not Toadflax. I apologize for the poor pictures, here are some better ones.
The Question Asker Replied July 04, 2019, 1:44 PM EDT
Pretty sure it's not Toadflax. I apologize for the poor pictures, here are some better ones.

The Question Asker Replied July 04, 2019, 1:44 PM EDT
Pretty sure it's not Toadflax. I apologize for the poor pictures, here are some better ones.

The Question Asker Replied July 04, 2019, 1:45 PM EDT
Hi, 
thanks for all the great information and pictures.  Couple of questions:
Are the stems "square" when you roll it in your fingers?  that would be in the mint family.
It could also be in the pea family.  I couldn't  find an exact match in our resources.  
Good luck!  
thanks, Master Gardener Desk
An Ask Extension Expert Replied July 10, 2019, 3:29 PM EDT

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