Missouri asks for help in fighting nuisance wildflower

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Missouri conservation officials are asking for help to battle an invading wildflower.

The Department of Conversation said the plant, spotted knapweed, has taken over thousands of acres of pastures and wildlife habitat.

Spotted knapweed is a non-native plant that produces a chemical toxic to other plants and spills up to 1,000 seeds per plant.

Missouri officials said summer is the best time to go after spotted knapweed because it's most exposed.

The plants are about 2 feet tall with fringy pink blossoms. They also produce a flat rosette of leaves near the ground in their first year.