IDENTIFICATION
Did you spot something that you think might be an invasive plant? Use our FREE identification service to quickly find out.
OUR SPECIALIST CONTROL SERVICES WILL TREAT OR ERADICATE THIS SPECIES. TO FIND OUT IF YOU HAVE GOAT’S RUE USE OUR FREE ID TOOL OR BOOK A SURVEY
TREATMENT & REMOVAL
Herbicide treatment or hand-pulling are the most effective solutions for this highly invasive plant. It is important to have a programme in place to ensure reduced regrowth, and planting native species will assist in controlling it long-term. Any movement of the plant can cause explosive seed dispersal, so control measures need to be carried out in a careful manner.
To find out the best way to remove Goat’s rue and the best time of year to have treatment or excavation carried out get in touch.
WHY IS GOAT’S RUE A PROBLEM?
Apart from its tenacious nature – this plant can regenerate over several seasons. It is toxic to ruminants with the potential to induce a build-up of excess fluid in the lungs, cause blood pressure, paralysis and eventually death.
ABOUT GOAT’S RUE
SCIENTIFIC NAME: Galega officinalis
ORIGIN: Middle East
Goat’s rue is a strong growing bushy herbacious perennial that belongs to the legume family (Fabaceae), and gets its name from when it was given to nanny goats to increase their milk yield. Goat’s rue is used in medicines especially for diabetes, also during the plague! Each plant can produce over 15,000 seeds that remain viable for 10 to possibly 26 years.
- Each plant tends to form a crown and ranges 1 – 1.8m tall.
- A single plant may have 20 stems (which are hollow) with a deep taproot.
- The white and purplish pea-like blossoms flower in late May to June and continue until frost around November.
- Leaves grow in pairs horizontally from the stem.
HABITAT
Goat’s rue thrives in marshy fields, damp meadows, stream banks, woodlands, sunny forest edges, semi shaded fields and along roadsides and waste ground.
IMPACT: HIGH
Goat’s rue forms dense thickets that can out-compete native flora, as such is a threat to biodiversity.
TOXICITY: HIGH
Poisonous to livestock especially when seed pods are young. Produces a toxic alkaloid (galegine) which lowers blood pressure and can paralyse the nervous system. Poisoning to humans is very rare and no recordable evidence.