Narrowleaved Crosswort

Crucianella angustifolia

Family: Rubiaceae

Weed class: monitor list
Native to: Asia, Europe and Northern Africa

Why Is It a Noxious Weed?

This plant is on the monitor list - it is not a listed noxious weed in Washington. Please contact the State Noxious Weed Board at noxiousweeds@agr.wa.gov to report locations or for more information.

How would I identify it?

General Description

Annual herbaceous plant growing 5-12 inches tall, upright or lying flat to the ground.

Flower Description

Flowers are in dense spikes with 3 bracts at the base of each flower. Bracts thin and more or less translucent, with a green rib, trip of bract sharp to touch. Flowers white or yellow, with 4 to 5 petals joining to form a tube.

Leaf description

Leaves are linear, 1/3 to 1 inch long, growing in whorls of 4.

Stem description

Stems are four-angled.

Where does it grow?

Documented in Idaho and California. In Idaho, it was found growing in open ponderosa pine forest with hawthorn, downy brome, yellow starthistle and hedge parsley.