Roadside Vegetation Management

Common roadside plants.

Leaves: 3 dull or shiny leaflets, 2-4" long, can be smooth-margined, lobed or irregular toothed, leaves may vary on same plant, bright green, turning orange or red in fall.

Flowers: Not easily seen, found in leaf axils.

Range: Native to MN found statewide.

Comments: DO NOT TOUCH! May cause severe rash in susceptible people. Plant oils can get onto clothing or footwear and cause rash at later date.

Leaves: First year basal rosette. Lance-shaped, smooth or slightly hairy. Stem leaves are alternate, narrow, oblong, sessile.

Flowers: Flowers develop 2nd year. In raceme at top of stalk. Individual flowers are snap-dragon shaped. Creamy white lip with purple or brown veined hood. Flowering plant can reach 5-6 feet in height.

Range: Pockets along Eastern border from Stillwater to Afton.

Comments: Produces digoxin that can be absorbed through the skin. Digoxin may cause potentially fatal heart problems. Ingestion can be fatal to cattle or horses

Leaves: Pinnately compound, variously toothed.

Flowers: 2-6" flat topped clusters, flowers from June- September, plant turns brown when finished flowering.

Range: Very common in SE MN and spreading throughout the state.

Comments: Avoid this plant. Plant contains "sap" that reacts with ultraviolet rays and causes severe blistering of the skin (photodermatitis).