Lady’s Thumb

Native:

Fireweed (Epilobium angustifolium) has similar leaves and red stems when immature, but it is taller (1-3 m), has showy pink flowers and no “thumbprint”.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Invasive: 

Himalayan Knotweed (Persicaria wallichii) can look like Lady’s Thumb when it first emerges, because of its leaf shape. However, the latter is much taller (1-2m), and its flowers are plume-like.

Lady’s Thumb is native to Europe and Asia. It was first identified in North America in 1843, yet the source of its introduction remains undetermined.

This species prefers relatively cool to warm climates, ample sun, and moist, rich conditions. It is often found near disturbed marshy areas or wetlands. However, it can adapt to grow in poor light and soil conditions. As such, it may also inhabit roadsides, meadows, vacant lots, gardens and railways.

Lady’s Thumb is an annual plant; the weed goes from seed to seed in one growing season. The seeds are its primary mode of reproduction, and they can remain viable in the soil for up to 45 years.

Seeds are commonly transported by songbirds. Lady’s Thumb seeds may also contaminate commercial grains, which contributes to its spread.

The best approach to controlling its spread is by PREVENTION.

 

Learn to identify Lady’s Thumb: use the images presented in this profile page to learn how to identify Lady’s Thumb

What to do if you spot it: You can report any Lady’s Thumb sighting by clicking here.

 

DO:

• Regularly monitor properties for weed infestations.
• Ensure soil and gravel are uncontaminated before transport.
• Check wildflower mixes to ensure that they do not contain Lady’s Thumb.

 

DO NOT:

• Unload, park or store equipment or vehicles in infested areas; remove plant material from any equipment, vehicles or clothing used in such areas and wash equipment and vehicles at designated cleaning sites before leaving infested areas.
• Plant Lady’s Thumb in a garden, no matter how well-contained its enclosure may seem.
• Move soil that has been contaminated with Lady’s Thumb.

 

Control

Mechanical

• Cultivation and hand-pulling can help control smaller infestations.
• Gloves are recommended for hand-pulling, due to the risk of skin irritation.
• Additionally, improving the drainage of an area will discourage Lady’s Thumb from re-establishing.
• Tillage and cultivation may also be effective because they disrupt seedlings, but these methods will likely need to be continued long-term, because of the potential presence of a seed bank.

Chemical

• Lady’s Thumb can quickly develop resistance to herbicides. Thus, many sources dissuade the use of chemical control.
• Non-selective, contact herbicides such as dicamba, 2,4-D and glyphosate are effective, as have systemic herbicides that kill the fibrous roots.
• We recommend that any herbicide application is carried out by a person holding a valid BC Pesticide Applicator Certificate. Before selecting and applying herbicides, you must review and follow herbicide labels and application rates; municipal, regional, provincial and federal laws and regulations; species-specific treatment recommendations, and site-specific goals and objectives.

Biological

There is no known biocontrol available for this plant.