Bristly Oxtongue, is an annual to biennial plant that can reach heights of 3 feet tall, but also grows low to the soil. It’s a newer aggressive invasive transplant at the Preserve that thrives during the winter and warm weather. Its yellow flower and seeds are similar to the dandelion but what makes this plant easily identifiable are its leaves. The leaves have distinctive sharp bristles, 2 mm long, with swollen whitish bumps that resemble blisters, as if severe acne hit its leaves. On other parts of the plant there are a smaller, anchor-shaped hairs with curved double-pronged tips making it unpleasant to touch and sticky to clothing and animal fur. Bristly oxtongue spreads rapidly, pushing native plants aside and can regrow from small bits of root left in the soil as well as from seed. The plant grows every which way, with no beauty of form.
Fun Fact Friday–“10 Terrible Weeds: #8 Bristly Oxtongue”
The Land Trust staff continues to work annually to remove invasive weeds at our Archer Taylor Preserve. Consider joining us for a work party? We have one coming up on July 16th at Archer Taylor Preserve to remove invasive grasses and vines.