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Houndstongue: Biology and Management EXTENSION SERVICE Hnandstongne(Cynaglassnm officinale L.) is anon-native, poisonous weed which infests pastures, hay fields and disturbed areas throughout North America. I[ was accidentally introduced to North America from Eurasia as a cereal contaminant prior to [he 1900s. Houndstongue displaces native rangeland vegetation by capturing soil resources with its deep, well- anchored taproot. In Montana, houndstongue cutrendy infests an estimated 36,000 acres. Montana's houndstongue management goals are [o control existing infestations and to prevent or minimize the further spread of this weed. Growth habit Houndstongue, a member of the Boraginaceae (Borage) family, is a biennial or short-lived perennial. Houndstongue develops from seedling to rosette within the first yeaz of growth (Figure 1). Leaves are oblong with numerous soft white hairs on both surfaces, possess prominent veins and aze said to look like a hound's tongue. During the second yeaz of growth, plants produce a flowering stalk 8 to 30 inches tall (Figure 2). Flowers form in mid-June and range in color from dull red to burgundy. Each flower develops seed clusters containing 3- 4 fruits or outlets roughly '/4 inch long. Fruits are flat, teardrop-shaped and possess a hazd spiny husk with bazbs (Figure 3). In Montana, houndstongue seed production ranges from 300-675 seeds per plant each year. by Susan Kedzie-Webb, graduate research assistant, and Roger L. Sheley, Extension noxious weeds specialist, Department of Land Resources and Environmental Sciences, MSU-Bozeman This weed is non-native and poisonous and infests pastures, fields and disturbed areas. This publication describes growth and dispersal and suggests control strategies. Colonization and dispersal Houndstongue seeds aze dispersed to disturbed pastures, mead- I/ ows, waste /waste places, roadsides, ripazian azeas and forested ]and when they become entangled in hair, wool or clothing. Although dispersal occurs slowly over time, colonization of disturbed sites can take place very quickly. Seeds are covered in a spiny husk and possess a protmding 1 barb which enables [he seed to adhere to wildlife and livestock. Recent research suggests that cattle aze major disperses of houndstongue, picking up about 65 percent of burr stalks in grazed paddocks. Seeds may overwinter within the top 1 centimeter of soil or remain attached to an adult plant. Houndstongue seeds are viable for two to three yeazs and do not form large or persistent seed banks in the soil. Germination generally requires some form of scarification or softening of the seed coat. Special concerns Common names such as sheep's lice, dog's-bur, beggar's lice, woolmat and glovewor[ suggest the problem- atic nature of houndstongue outlets. When outlets become imbedded in the wool or hair of livestock, they may create marketing problems for Fig. 1 Houndstongue in rosette stage Fig. 2 Houndstongue in bloom G ~3= Fig. 3 Houndstongue seed or nutlet ranchers because of the extra time and money required for their re- moval. They can also become lodged in the eyelashes of livestock causing potentially severe eye damage. After outlets aze removed from clothing or animals, they should be burned in hot fire. Another concern for ranchers is the threat of livestock poisoning from A-6