Those attending a two-hour meeting Monday to tackle an invasive plant found in Texas County may form a task force.
Representatives of the county’s townships, legislators, county commissioners, Missouri Department of Transportation, Natural Resource Conservation Service, University Extension and MFA Inc. talked about knapweed, which starves out grass and quickly spreads. It is commonly found on the state’s rights-of-way.
Former Rep. Don Wells of Cabool was successful in gaining passage of a bill that placed the spotted knapweed, which has a pinkish bloom, on the state’s noxious weed list.
The consensus: Property owners need to control the weed before it goes to seed. It is prolific in producing seed. Those attending the meeting heard that the seed may remain dormant for up to eight years.