Red Bartsia
Photo Credit: Colin Dean, modified from the original
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Common Name: Red bartsia Scientific Name: Odontites vernus Habitat: grassland, grassland dry, roadsides, farmland Provincial Designation: Prohibited Noxious Prohibited Noxious weeds are plant species that are designated as "prohibited noxious" in the Alberta weed regulation. Prohibited noxious weeds must be destroyed, meaning all growing parts need to be killed or the plant's reproductive mechanisms need to be rendered non-viable. |
Origin
Red bartsia originates from Europe was introduced to Manitoba in the mid-1950s. It arrived at the Gimli Canadian Armed Forces Base in packing crates from Germany and escaped into areas adjacent to the runways which local farmers mowed for hay. Soon, the plant spread throughout the Interlake Region of Manitoba.
Legislated Because
Red bartsia invades roadsides, pastures and hayland. It is unpalatable to livestock and quickly overtakes forage stands. Recent surveys have shown that Red bartsia is now moving into native grasslands.
Description
The flowers have united petals with two lips. The upper lip is undivided and the lower lip is divided in three lobes. The flowers are pink, purple or red and about 1 cm long.
The oppositely arranged leaves are 2-3 cm long, linear, oblong or lance-shaped, and have toothed edges.
Stems are branched, 15-30 cm tall and covered with hairs.
Learn more about this species:
SeeFact Sheets - Alberta Invasive Species Council
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Red Bartsia -
Red Bartsia
For More Information
Weed Management
| Telephone |
In Edmonton: 311 Outside Edmonton: 780-442-5311 |
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| invasiveweeds@edmonton.ca |
