How Can you help CONTROL YELLOW FLAG IRIS?

WHAT IS YELLOW FLAG IRIS?

Yellow Flag Iris is present and expanding in the Spider Lake Chain. It is a fast-growing and fast-spreading invasive which can outcompete other wetland plants, forming almost impenetrable thickets in much the same way that cat-tails do.  Small clumps can be dug out, though this is only effective if the rhizomes are entirely removed. Mowed plants will regenerate from the rhizomes, so plants must be cut multiple times to exhaust their energy reserves.  The sap may cause skin irritation, so gloves should be worn when handling cut or otherwise damaged stems. 

Yellow Flag Iris can be controlled by glyphosate-based herbicides. Plants growing near standing water should be treated with an herbicide approved for aquatic use to minimize harm to amphibians.

No effective biological control agent is known at this time.  For detailed fact sheets from WDNR, US Forest Service and more, see below.

WHAT YOU CAN DO TO Help:

• If you find Yellow Flag Iris, and the plant is accessible, remove the plant as follows:
• • Wear gloves; skin irritation can occur with contact with plant roots.
  • Clip flower heads and pull or dig out plants and roots.
  • Place all plant material in garbage bags and take to Town of Spider Lake Solid Waste, at no charge.
• If you cannot access the roots of the plant, remove the flowers and seed pods (wearing gloves), bag the material, and take it to Town Hall Solid Waste, at no charge.

Tell us your property location, and site of Yellow Flag Iris on your property. We will ask volunteers to check your property and remove plants from your shoreline.

“The High Cost of War,” by Jim Brakken of the Bayfield County Lakes Forum