Goatsrue (Galega officinalis) Identification and Management in Pastures and Croplands

**Figure 1.** Mature goatsrue plant beginning to flower. Flowering
usually begins in May and continues until fall frost.

Goatsrue Quick Facts

Flourishes in riparian areas.
Singe plant can produce 10,000 to 15,000 seeds.
Well adapted to irrigated settings.

Introduction

Goatsrue is an aggressive invasive plant and a declared Utah state noxious weed (Category 1B). It was introduced into the Cache Valley in 1891 and spread through the irrigation canals, streams, and rivers of the Bear River drainage. Cache County has one of the largest goatsrue infestations in the nation. Luckily, only small infestations are found in neighboring counties (Box Elder, Rich, Weber, and Davis). With government funding assistance, goatsrue was almost eliminated from Cache County in the early 1990s. After funding stopped, goatsrue populations surged, but recently, the Cache County Vegetation Management Division helped to control and manage new establishments.

Goatsrue’s rapid growth, prolific seed production, and ability to spread quickly through waterways make it a problem and concern for many residents of Cache County. Properly identifying and managing goatsrue can help reduce the size of large infestations, eliminate small infestations, and limit its spread.

**Figure 2.** Goatsrue compound leaf structure. Mature
plants contain 6–10 pairs of leaflets on each leaf. This
leaf structure is known as odd-pinnate, as leaflets
are matched in pairs with one terminal leaf at
the end.

Identification

Goatsrue is a perennial legume that grows from 2 to 6 feet tall. Plants consist of compound leaves, meaning each leaf is made of smaller leaflets. Leaves on mature plants contain 6–10 pairs of oddpinnate leaflets (Figure 2). Flowers grow along main or side stem ends in a pea-like flower stalk from early summer until frost and vary from purple to white (Figure 3). Each flower blossom produces a single seedpod that can produce up to nine beanshaped seeds (Figure 4). A single plant can produce 10,000 to 15,000 seedpods in one year, which are often transported through waterways. Ongoing research at Utah State University found that goatsrue seeds can remain viable in the soil for at least 11 years, with data suggesting even longer seed viability. Goatsrue flourishes in areas with high soil moisture, such as wetlands and waterways, but can also be found in pastures and even home landscapes. Goatsrue is often confused with wild licorice due to similar-looking leaves.

**Figure 3.** Goatsrue flowers. Flowers grow along
terminal racemes, are purple to white, and grow
from early summer to fall frost.

Management

Prevention

When managing any noxious weed, the first and preferred approach is prevention. Begin by scouting areas where infestations have occurred or areas where new infestations are likely to occur. Ditch banks, waterways, fence lines, irrigated cropland, and pastures are likely places for goatsrue infestations. Carefully clean equipment and tools after working in infested areas to help limit the spread to other areas. Once identifying a goatsrue infestation, it is essential to apply multiple management methods to control this noxious weed.

Cultural Methods

Good cultural practices help manage goatsrue in irrigated croplands and pastures. In croplands, utilizing an alternate cropping strategy or raising row crops effectively manages goatsrue. Both strategies interrupt the goatsrue lifecycle, making establishment difficult. In pastures, maintaining healthy and vigorously growing grasses is the best way to deter goatsrue infestations from the beginning. Proper fertilizing, irrigation, seeding, and grazing create favorable conditions for pasture grasses, making them more competitive. On the other hand, over-irrigation or overgrazing can weaken pasture grasses and create an ideal environment for goatsrue to flourish. Livestock grazing is not a potential method of control because goatsrue is toxic and unpalatable to livestock. An established and healthy pasture can often be the best defense against noxious weeds.

**Figure 4.** Seedpods attached to a goatsrue plant. Each
seed pod can contain up to nine bean-shaped seeds.

Mechanical Methods

If done correctly, mechanically removing goatsrue can be an effective control. However, if methods such as cultivation fail to remove or damage goatsrue’s deep taproot, these methods are ineffective and can lead to increased seed distribution. Due to goatsrue’s water-loving nature, cultivation can be difficult or impossible because many plants are located on ditch banks and unworkable areas. Excavation along waterways can destroy goatsrue plants but usually distributes seed into new areas. Utilizing a mower can help limit seed spread, but mowing must occur frequently from early spring until the first frost to prevent seed production, which can be very labor intensive. No biocontrol methods for goatsrue are available at this time. Table 1 summarizes these non-herbicide control methods.

Table 1: Summary of Non-Herbicide Options for Controlling Goatsrue (Galega officinalis)
Control method	Notes
Prevention
	Practice early detection and rapid response. When observed, remove small goatsrue plants immediately. Clean and remove the plant and soil residue from people, pets, livestock, and equipment upon exiting infested areas. Use filters and screens to prevent seeds from spreading by irrigation. Transport clean fill (manure, mulch, topsoil, gravel, roadbase, etc.). Prevent existing goatsrue from producing seed. Plant quality seed.
Cultural and mechanical
Cropland	Plant and maintain healthy and competitive crops. Strategize using row crops or alternate cropping. Cultivate and work the ground where appropriate.
Pasture and rangeland	Plant forages that are well adapted to the location of the pasture and management practices. Prevent pasture overgrazing. The general rule is not grazing below four inches of plant height. Avoid over-irrigating pastures. Maintain proper stocking rates to encourage even forage use. Maintain a weed-free pasture; dig or pull plants as they arise. Establish pasture grasses in the fall while goatsrue is less active.
Non-crop and right-of-way	Cultivate and work the ground where appropriate before weeds mature. Mow goatsrue before it flowers. Continue with follow-up cuttings as required.
Biocontrol
	No biocontrol methods are available at this time

Chemical Control

Control goatsrue infestations by using one or more of the herbicides listed in Table 2. Before using any herbicide, always read the label; it is against the law and unsafe to do otherwise. While reading the label, pay special attention to safety requirements, restrictions of use, directions for use, and disposal requirements.

The herbicide label will dictate what areas can be treated with a particular product and restrict options for use under specific site conditions. At the target location, be aware of your surroundings. Slope, vegetation nearby, temperature, and wind can all have a major effect on applying chemical herbicides. When using herbicides to treat goatsrue, it is important to check the target area’s surroundings for water. Goatsrue plants are often found in creeks, ditch banks, and rivers. If not approved for use around water, then you must select another herbicide.

Because goatsrue is a perennial plant, postemergence herbicides are the most effective choice for control. It is important to read the label of postemergence herbicides to know if they are selective (target a specific group of plants) or nonselective (kill most if not all growing plants). Usually, non-selective herbicides are used for seedbed preparation or in areas unfit for vegetation. Keep in mind that many herbicides are most effective when applied to plants when sugars produced in the leaves are moving to roots (i.e., at full flower or after the first frost). Applications to early-growth goatsrue may burn it back, but it will often regrow, requiring additional applications.

Many herbicides do not list goatsrue on their labels because of its limited distribution across the United States. However, research at Utah State University identified products and active ingredients that may effectively control goatsrue, and some of the information is provided in Table 2.

Table 2: Summary of Herbicide Options
	Herbicide
Site and application	Active ingredient	Trade name	Comments
Pasture
	Chlorsulfuron^a	Telar	Showed 93% control of goatsrue.^b
	Imazapyr^a	Several	Non-selective herbicide. Spot treatment in pastures. Some formulations are registered for aquatic use. Not safe for use around irrigation water.^b
	Dicamba^a	Several	Do not apply directly to water or where surface water is present. Showed 93% control of goatsrue.
	2,4-D + dicamba^a	Several	Do not apply directly to water or where surface water is present.
	Aminopyralid^a	Milestone	Do not use near ditch banks. Applied postemergence and provided some residual the next year. Non-crop and permanent pasture uses. Decreased goatsrue seedling cover up to 11 months after treatment.^b
	Picloram^a	Tordon	Restricted use pesticide! Do not apply near water sources used for irrigation or domestic purposes. Decreased goatsrue seedling cover up to 11 months after treatment.^b
	Triclopyr^a	Several	Showed 93% control of goatsrue.^b The 3a formulation (e.g., Garlan 3a) can be used near and over non-irrigation water.
	2,4-D	Several	Non-selective broadleaf herbicide. 2,4-D has been seen to suppress goatsrue, but it is generally less effective and consistent than other listed herbicide products.
Alfalfa
	Imazamox^a	Raptor	Registered for use in alfalfa. Labelled prior to 3 inches of growth or regrowth on established alfalfa. Showed 93% control of goatsrue.^b
Rangeland
	Imazapyr^a	Several	Non-selective herbicide. Spot treatment in pastures. Not safe for use around waterways.
	Dicamba^a	Several	Do not apply directly to water or where surface water is present. Showed 93% control of goatsrue.^b
	2,4-D + dicamba	Several	Do not apply directly to water or where surface water is present.
	Chlorsulfuron^a	Telar	Showed 93% control of goatsrue.^b
	Triclopyr^a	Several	Showed 93% control of goatsrue.^b
	Picloram^a	Tordon	Restricted use Pesticide! Do not apply near water sources used for irrigation or domestic purposes. Decreased goatsrue seedling cover up to 11 months after treatment.^b
	Aminopyralid^a	Milestone	Do not use near ditch banks. Typically applied postemergence with some residual the next year. Non-crop and permanent pasture uses. Decreased goatsrue seedling cover up to 11 months after treatment.^b
	2,4-D	Several	2,4-D can suppress goatsrue but is generally less effective and consistent than other listed herbicide products.

^aHerbicide labels do not contain goatsrue on label; however, research done by Oldham et al. (2009) found these herbicides have success in controlling goatsrue. Applications for these studies were made in the summer to goatsrue plants in full flower.

^b Oldham et al., 2009.

Picture Credits

All photos by C. Ransom or J. Hadfield.

References

Lowry, B. J., Ransom, C., Whitesides, R., & Olsen, H. (2017). Noxious weed field guide for Utah. All Current Publications. Paper 1352. Utah State University Extension. https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/extension_curall /1352
Oldham, M. (2009). Goatsrue (Galega officinalis) seed biology, control, and toxicity [Master’s thesis, Utah State University]. All Graduate Theses and Dissertations. 235. https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/etd/235
Oldham, M., & Ransom, C.V. (2009). Goatsrue (Galega officinalis) seed biology. Weed Science, 57(2), 149–154. https://doi.org/10.1614/wt-d-10-00003.1
Oldham, M., & Ransom, C.V. (2010). Goatsrue (Galega officinalis) response to herbicides. Weed Technology: A Journal of the Weed Science Society of America, 25(1), 70–76. https://doi.org/10.1614/wt-d-10-00003.1
Oldham, M., Ransom C.V., Ralphs, M.H., & Gardner, D. (2011). Galegine content in goatsrue (Galega officinalis) varies by plant part and phenological growth stage. Weed Science, 59(3), 349–352. https://doi.org/10.1614/wt-d-10- 00003.1

Published March 2021
Utah State University Extension
Peer-reviewed fact sheet

Authors

Jacob Hadfield, Extension Assistant Professor; Corey Ransom, Extension Associate Professor and Weed Specialist; Cody Zesiger, Extension Assistant Professor; Clark Israelsen, Retired Extension Associate Professor