This page is part of the I Spy Instagram challenge. Use this page to play along and test your plant-spotting skills. Learn how to spot prohibited noxious weeds in Strathcona County parks and help protect local natural spaces by reporting what you find.
How to play I Spy
Each challenge shows three close-up plant photos. One is a prohibited noxious weed and the other two are not. Look closely and choose which plant you think is the correct answer. Then scroll down to see the result and learn how to identify it in real life.
New challenges will be posted on May 22, June 5, June 19 and July 3. If you miss one, you can still catch up anytime. All challenges and answers will be available on this page until early September.
I Spy challenges
Which plant is mustard garlic?
Which plant is yellow flag iris?
Which plant is mustard garlic?
Which plant is yellow flag iris?
Jump to: I Spy challenge answers
How to identify noxious weeds
Noxious weeds can spread quickly and take over areas where native plants should be growing. When you're out in parks or natural spaces, here are a few things to watch for:
Leaf shape, size and arrangement
Flower colour, shape and structure
Where the plant is growing (e.g., trails, disturbed areas)
How it compares to nearby plants
Not all weeds look the same, so slow down and take a closer look if something seems off.
Why it matters
Healthy natural areas depend on balance. Noxious weeds can crowd out native plants, reduce biodiversity in parks and natural areas, and spread quickly if left unchecked. Early identification helps prevent their spread and protects local habitats.
Weeds that require regulation to enforce their removal are classified as either noxious or prohibited noxious.
Prohibited noxious weeds must be destroyed entirely, while noxious weeds must be managed to limit their spread. This I Spy Instagram challenge campaign focuses on the eight common prohibited noxious weeds found in Strathcona County.
Check out the weed identification and control resources for more information on local species and how they are managed.
Report what you find
Think you've found a noxious weed? Let us know.
Report suspected noxious weeds through County Connect. Your report helps staff respond quickly and manage the spread before it becomes a bigger issue.
Report a noxious weed through County Connect.
Answers and plant identification
Scroll through to see which plant was the noxious weed in each challenge. Plus, review the quick tips to help you recognize it in the future.
I Spy answers
Garlic Mustard
Heart-shaped leaves with toothed edges; lower leaves rounder, upper leaves smaller
Thin green stems (30 to 90 cm tall) with small white, four-petaled flowers in clusters at the top of the plant
Long narrow seed pods with small brown or black seeds
Yellow Flag Iris
Tall plant (40 to 150 cm) with long, narrow, upright green leaves with pointed tips
Large pale yellow flowers with three drooping outer petals and darker veining
Oval seed pods containing rows of dark brown, disc-shaped seeds
Garlic Mustard
Heart-shaped leaves with toothed edges; lower leaves rounder, upper leaves smaller
Thin green stems (30 to 90 cm tall) with small white, four-petaled flowers in clusters at the top of the plant
Long narrow seed pods with small brown or black seeds
Yellow Flag Iris
Tall plant (40 to 150 cm) with long, narrow, upright green leaves with pointed tips
Large pale yellow flowers with three drooping outer petals and darker veining
Oval seed pods containing rows of dark brown, disc-shaped seeds