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Invasive Flowers #793642

Asked June 01, 2022, 11:27 AM EDT

What are these flower/weeds that are growing all over the place in ditches and fields? I cut them down in my field but they seem to send up even more prolific shoots.

Washington County Minnesota

Expert Response

Thanks for the question.

We believe that this is Yellow Rocket (Barbarea vulgaris). It is also known as Bittercress and Winter Rocket. It is a common Minnesota wildflower especially along roadways. It is not surprising that you have seen them where you have. It is considered an invasive plant. It spreads rapidly. Once established it is extremely difficult to eradicate.  Thankfully it is an annual so can be eliminated through the employment of pre-emergent and post-emergent herbicides. Please see the following for more information on it:

https://www.lakeforest.edu/academics/majors-and-minors/environmental-studies/barbarea-vulgarisand160(yellow-rocketcress)-brassicaceae

https://www.minnesotawildflowers.info/flower/garden-yellow-rocket

https://www.friendsofthewildflowergarden.org/pages/plants/yellowrocket.html

Thanks for using our forum.

An Ask Extension Expert Replied June 05, 2022, 5:43 PM EDT

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