Yellow Glandweed: The Sticky Little Wildflower You Probably Don’t Want to Plant
If you’ve ever walked through a field or along a roadside in spring and noticed small yellow flowers on slightly sticky plants, you might have encountered yellow glandweed (Parentucellia viscosa). This annual forb has made itself quite at home across much of North America, though it originally hails from much farther away.
What Exactly Is Yellow Glandweed?
Yellow glandweed is an annual forb, which means it’s a non-woody plant that completes its entire life cycle in one growing season. True to its name, this little plant has a distinctly sticky, glandular feel when you touch it – though you might want to wash your hands afterward! As an annual, it grows from seed each spring, flowers, sets seed, and dies back in fall.
The plant belongs to the group of flowering plants called dicots, and while it may look delicate, it’s surprisingly resilient and adaptable to various growing conditions.
Where Does It Come From and Where Can You Find It?
Here’s where things get interesting: yellow glandweed isn’t actually native to North America at all. This Mediterranean native has become a well-established non-native species that reproduces spontaneously in the wild across Canada, Hawaii, and the lower 48 states without any human help.
You can currently find yellow glandweed growing in British Columbia, Arkansas, California, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oregon, Texas, and Washington. It has shown remarkable adaptability to different climates and growing conditions across this wide range.
What Does It Look Like?
Yellow glandweed produces small, bright yellow flowers that might catch your eye during its blooming period. The plant itself tends to stay relatively low-growing, and its most distinctive feature is definitely that sticky, glandular texture that gives it its common name. The stickiness comes from tiny glandular hairs covering the plant’s surface.
Growing Conditions and Habitat
This adaptable little plant shows up in a variety of environments. According to wetland status classifications, yellow glandweed is considered facultative in most regions, meaning it can grow in both wetland and non-wetland conditions. However, in Hawaii, it’s classified as obligate upland, meaning it almost never occurs in wetlands there.
You’ll typically find yellow glandweed in:
- Disturbed soils
- Roadsides
- Fields and meadows
- Areas with varying moisture levels
Should You Plant Yellow Glandweed?
Here’s the short answer: probably not. While yellow glandweed isn’t necessarily harmful, it’s not typically planted intentionally in gardens or landscapes. As a non-native species, it doesn’t provide the same ecological benefits as native plants would for local wildlife and pollinators.
If you’re looking for native alternatives that provide similar spring color, consider researching native wildflowers in your specific region. Native plants will:
- Support local wildlife and pollinators more effectively
- Require less maintenance once established
- Contribute to the ecological health of your area
What If It Shows Up Anyway?
Since yellow glandweed spreads by seed and is quite adaptable, don’t be surprised if it appears in your garden on its own – especially in disturbed soil areas. As an annual, individual plants won’t persist year after year, but new ones may sprout from seed.
If you find yellow glandweed growing in your landscape and prefer not to have it there, the best approach is to remove plants before they set seed. Since it’s an annual, consistent removal can help reduce its presence over time.
The Bottom Line
Yellow glandweed is one of those plants that’s more likely to find you than the other way around. While it’s not necessarily problematic, it’s also not particularly beneficial for most garden goals. If you’re planning a garden, focusing on native species will give you better long-term results and more ecological bang for your buck. But if yellow glandweed does appear in your landscape, at least now you’ll know what that sticky little yellow-flowered plant is!
