Stop the spread of noxious weeds

Under Alberta’s Weed Control Act, weed inspectors are authorized and required to enter private property to inspect for noxious and prohibited noxious weeds.  

Starting in June, our weed inspectors will be out actively inspecting properties within Strathcona County.

Last modified: May 8, 2026, 3:44 p.m.

Changes to Weed Control Act

Image of a hand holding a creeping bell flower above an image of wild growing perennial sow thistle

Recent changes to Alberta's Weed Control Act include removing the creeping bellflower and perennial sow thistle. To learn more about these and other changes, view our Weed Control Act Regulation Changes pdf.

The Government of Alberta determines which weeds in the province present significant economic, social or ecological risks if not controlled. Weeds that require regulation to enforce their removal are classified as either noxious or prohibited noxious weeds.

Prohibited noxious weeds must be destroyed entirely, while noxious weeds must be managed to limit their spread. Prohibited weeds are not yet present, rare, or newly introduced species, whereas noxious weeds are already established throughout the province.

The following are noxious or prohibited noxious weeds commonly found in Strathcona County that are regulated in the Alberta Weed Control Act. Click on the weed name to see an informational PDF from the Alberta Invasive Species Council.

The weed sheets include information to help you:

  • Identify each weed

  • Understand where they are most commonly found

  • Effectively control weed infestations

If you are still unsure about the identification of the plants, please submit a County Connect request to arrange for a weed inspector to help with identification.

White flowers

White cockle

White cockle (Noxious)

Learn about white cockle (external site)

Baby's breath flower

Baby's breath (Noxious)

Learn about baby's breath (external site)

Garlic mustard flower

Garlic mustard (Prohibited noxious)

Learn about garlic mustard (external site)

White cockle

White cockle (Noxious)

Learn about white cockle (external site)

Baby's breath flower

Baby's breath (Noxious)

Learn about baby's breath (external site)

Garlic mustard flower

Garlic mustard (Prohibited noxious)

Learn about garlic mustard (external site)

Pink flowers

Dames rocket flowers

Dames rocket (Noxious)

Learn about dames rocket (external site)

Flowering rush flowers

Flowering rush (Prohibited noxious)

Learn about flowering rush (external site)

Himalayan Balsam flowers

Himalayan balsam (Prohibited noxious)

Learn more about himalayan balsam (external site)

Common burdock plant flowers

Common burdock (Noxious)

Learn more about common burdock (external site)

Wooly burdock plant flowers

Wooly burdock (Noxious)

Learn more about wooly burdock (external link)

Dames rocket flowers

Dames rocket (Noxious)

Learn about dames rocket (external site)

Flowering rush flowers

Flowering rush (Prohibited noxious)

Learn about flowering rush (external site)

Himalayan Balsam flowers

Himalayan balsam (Prohibited noxious)

Learn more about himalayan balsam (external site)

Purple flowers

Black Henbane flowers

Black henbane (Noxious)

Learn more about black henbane (external site)

Dames Rocket flowers

Dames rocket (Noxious)

Learn more about dames rocket (external site)

Field Scabious flowers

Field scabious (Noxious)

Learn more about field scabious (external site)

Purple Loosestrife flowers

Purple loosestrife (Prohibited noxious)

Learn more about purple loosestrife (external site)

Hounds tongue flowers

Hounds-tongue (Noxious)

Learn more about hounds tongue (external site)

Black Henbane flowers

Black henbane (Noxious)

Learn more about black henbane (external site)

Dames Rocket flowers

Dames rocket (Noxious)

Learn more about dames rocket (external site)

Field Scabious flowers

Field scabious (Noxious)

Learn more about field scabious (external site)

Yellow flowers

Absinthe Wormwood flowers

Absinth wormwood (Noxious)

Learn more about absinthe wormwood

Bighead knapweed flower

Bighead knapweed (Noxious)

Learn more about bighead knapweed (external site)

Common Tansy flowers

Common tansy (Noxious)

Learn more about common tansy (external site)

Leafy Spurge flowers

Leafy spurge (Noxious)

Learn more about leafy spurge (external site)

Tall Buttercup flowers

Tall buttercup (Noxious)

Learn more about tall buttercup (external site)

Yellow Toadflax flowers

Yellow toadflax (Noxious)

Learn more about yellow toadflax (external site)

Yellow Clematis flowers

Yellow clematis (Noxious)

Learn more about yellow clematis (external site)

Yellow Flag Iris flowers

Yellow flag iris (Prohibited noxious)

 Learn more about yellow flag iris (external site)

Meadow hawkweed flowers

Meadow hawkweed (Noxious)

Learn more about meadow hawkweed (external site)

Absinthe Wormwood flowers

Absinth wormwood (Noxious)

Learn more about absinthe wormwood

Bighead knapweed flower

Bighead knapweed (Noxious)

Learn more about bighead knapweed (external site)

Common Tansy flowers

Common tansy (Noxious)

Learn more about common tansy (external site)

Orange flowers

Orange hawkweed flowers

Orange hawkweed (Noxious)

Learn more about orange hawkweed (external site)

Orange hawkweed flowers

Orange hawkweed (Noxious)

Learn more about orange hawkweed (external site)

Trees

small branch with leaf of common buckthorn

Common buckthorn (Prohibited noxious)

Learn more about common buckhorn (external site)

small branch with leaf of common buckthorn

Common buckthorn (Prohibited noxious)

Learn more about common buckhorn (external site)

Further information:

County Connect

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Last updated: Wednesday, January 21, 2026
Page ID: 44341