The Washington State Noxious Weed Control Board (WSNWCB) has proposed changes to the list of noxious weeds for 2009.

Plants being considered for a Class A noxious weed listing are the Shiny geranium, Geranium lucidum, false brome, Brachypodium sylvaticum and flowering rush, Butomus umbellatus. The first two are woodland species and the third is a wetland plant. Shiny geranium rapidly invades woodland habitat, and it is difficult to remove from natural areas. False brome takes over forest understories, although like shiny geranium, it can also thrive along roadsides, woodland clearings, and prairies. Flowering rush, grows in and along streams, rivers, ponds, and lakes. This species can dominate shorelines, potentially displacing native wetland species. It may also reduce recreational use of shorelines and impede irrigation.

The distribution of all three species is limited in Washington. Designating them as Class A noxious weeds would mean their eradication would be required. This would prevent them becoming more of a problem.

Two closely related species proposed as Class C noxious weeds are the Himalayan and evergreen blackberry, Rubus armeniacus and R. laciniatus. Both species meet the three criteria of noxious weeds. They are non-native, invasive and difficult to control. Invasive blackberries outcompete native species, form dense thickets, impede access, and can be hiding places for rats and other vermin. As Class C noxious weeds, their control will be left to individual county noxious weed control boards.

Smooth cordgrass, Spartina alterniflora, has been selected to move from Class B to Class A due to distribution reductions.

Eight weeds slated for the Class B noxious weed list are: white bryony, Bryonia alba; annual bugloss, Anchusa arvensis; longspine sandbur, Cenchrus longispinus; Bohemian knotweed, Polygonum bohemicum; giant knotweed, P. sachalinense; Himalayan knotweed, P. polystachum; Japanese knotweed, P. cuspidatum; myrtle spurge, Euphorbia myrsinites; yellow starthistle, Centaurea solstitialis; and Lawnweed, Soliva sessilis.

The WSNWCB annually reviews the noxious weed list, which currently consists of 135 species and is the basis for weed regulation in the state. More information is available at www.nwcb.wa.gov.