Photo Credit: Daniel Laubhann
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Common Name: Dame's Rocket Scientific Name: Hesperis matronalis Habitat: roadsides, forest edges, ornamental beds Provincial Designation: Noxious Noxious weeds are plant species that are designated as "noxious weeds" in the Alberta weed regulation. Noxious weeds must be controlled, meaning their growth or spread needs to be prevented. |
Origin
Dame's rocket is native to Europe and southwest Asia and was introduced to North America as an ornamental flower in the 1600s.
Legislated Because
It is a prolific seed producer that can quickly form dense stands in moist, shaded grassland areas and along woodland edges.
Description
This plant grows up to 1 m tall and is often branched near the top. Its flowers are fragrant, 8-15 mm wide, white or pink in colour, and have four petals each.
The alternately arranged leaves are elliptic or lance-shaped, 4-20 cm long and 2-10 cm wide, and have toothed edges. The leaves and stems are covered in hairs.
The seed pods of this plant are distinctively long and narrow, 5-10 cm long and 2-2.5 mm wide.
Learn more about this species:
See Fact Sheets - Alberta Invasive Species Council
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Dame's Rocket -
Dame's Rocket -
Dame's Rocket
