noxious weed reasons
Diane Whitehead (Sat, 27 Jan 2007 14:55:50 PST)

It would be useful if the reasons for designation as a noxious weed
are given. Perhaps in some places, they are.

In some cases, it is because the plant is poisonous to livestock.
Being deadly to humans doesn't necessarily count, and it took me a
while to get Conium maculatum (which has killed one child here)
removed from a public garden. (The head gardener phoned the powers
that be, who assured him it was not a noxious weed.) It continues to
thrive throughout the region, and every year I give warnings to
people who have it growing on their land.

Some plants are prohibited because they are an alternate host of a
disease that destroys an important crop. (Mahonia and Berberis/
wheat) though minor crops don't receive the same protection (pear/
juniper).

Plants whose only crime is excessive propagation did not get added to
the banned lists.

Fairly recently (in the last 20 years or so), volunteers have been
allowed to destroy plants like ivy, broom and blackberry in parks.
Prior to this, no one was allowed to remove them, even though some
people had sought permission.

Diane Whitehead
Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
maritime zone 8, cool Mediterranean climate
mild rainy winters, mild dry summers