A warning from the Town of Canmore is asking residents to keep an eye out for Yellow Toadflax, an invasive plant that can quickly take over gardens and push out native species. The plant, also known as “butter-and-eggs,” is considered a noxious weed under Alberta’s Weed Control Act, which means property owners are legally required to control it.
Yellow Toadflax was brought from Europe over 100 years ago as an ornamental plant, but it has since spread across North American rangelands and mountain meadows. The Town of Canmore is warning that this plant is particularly troublesome because of how it spreads. A single stem can produce about 5,000 seeds, and those seeds can sit dormant in the soil for up to 10 years before sprouting. Even more aggressive is its root system – creeping roots can start forming in seedlings just a few weeks old, creating dense colonies that crowd out everything else.
Because the plant is not eaten by wildlife or livestock, it can spread unchecked across meadows and grazing areas. This is a big concern in the Bow Valley, where Canmore sits in a critical wildlife corridor for species at risk like grizzly bears and wolverines. Invasive plants like Yellow Toadflax reduce habitat quality and make it harder for native animals to thrive.
The Town runs its own noxious weed removal program each spring and summer, using both hand-pulling and chemical methods applied by certified professionals. But homeowners also have a legal responsibility. The Alberta Weed Control Act says landowners must control noxious weeds on their property, and violators can face fines of up to $5,000. Residents who find Yellow Toadflax are advised to remove the entire root system, double-bag the plant material, and put it in the regular garbage – not the compost. The Town also warns against buying wildflower seed mixes that might contain Yellow Toadflax seeds, which are sometimes labeled as “Spurred Snapdragon.”
More information on identifying and managing noxious weeds is available through the Alberta Invasive Species Council.
