Golden rod is often mistaken for rag weed. This is because they both bloom at the same time and goldenrod is so visible. It is kind of ironic because goldenrod has very heavy pollen (which bees love) and is rarely blown around, so it has little effect on allergies, even though it is often blamed for them. As for those wild carrots dchall brought up. They fall into the old prejudice of wild flowers. If it grows in the wild it must be a weed right? Just like butter cups, black eyed susans, and flox.

I've been battling the 2 invasive species of Buckthorn for several years - - Frangula alnus, Glossy or European Buckthorn, aka Rhamnus frangula - Rhamnus cathartica, Common Buckthorn Both grow in a multi-stemmed shrubby habit, but Common Buckthorn has a tendency to grow in a more tree-like form. Common Buckthorn is dioecious, so only the female plants make berries. Seedlings are relatively easy to pull, but don't even bother trying to dig out med-large plants - the roots are embedded like concrete. Even the weed wrench is challenging with anything over 1 inch diameter. I cut the stems close to the base and use a squeeze bottle with a concentrated herbicide (Glyphosate, Triclpyr, or 2-4-d). Apply herbicide immediately after cutting. If it is a large stem (2-4") is only necessary to apply herbicide in the outer edge of the cut trunk. The plants do not have to be cut down, they can be left in place to die using other methods of applying herbicide. Cut bark treatment - where the bark and cambium are girdled or cut downward in a "cup" pattern all around the stem and herbicide is applied in the cup. Also basal bark application involves spraying oil-based herbicide over the lower couple feet of stems. I've tried to eliminate the larger plants first, to prevent additional generations of seeds from being dispersed by birds. Don't have a good pic of Common Buckthorn, but here's one of Frangula alnus, Glossy Buckthorn -

the trouble with ebay is nobody is monitoring anything. so even if they implement this policy its still up to people to dob in the auctions to get them closed down. they also have a policy of not selling live animals and I did a search one day to find kittens and puppies for sale! a good deal of the auctions use descriptions straight off other websites which is clearly copyright infringement but no one at ebay seems to notice. I applaud your efforts greg, I really do, but I dont think your days of looking out for those type of auctions are over. its really obvious that ebay themselves dont do much to keep tabs on whats going on at their site.

It is ladybells aka Adenophora . spreads by root and seeds ( about a million seeds per plant) . Absolute must to dead head if you dont want them everywhere . They spread quickly via root so you dont need the seeds too. Trust me I know I have it in my gardens . Signet