Canada Thistle (Cirsium arvense). ves are alternate and lance-shaped with and deep lobes. Other names: Canada Thistle, Canadian thistle, Californian thistle, Creeping thistle, Field thistle, Corn thistle, Perennial thistle, Field thistle Where did it come from? You will need JavaScript enabled to properly navigate this web site! How is it spreading and where? Leaves are alternate and lance-shaped with and deep lobes. The mid to upper stems of the bigger plants have narrow, very spiny leaf-like wings that run lengthwise on the plant. As the stem gets thicker, the wings start drying and disappearing. The standard English name in its native area is creeping thistle. Many insects feed on the leaves, stems, flowers and seeds, while some songbirds also feed on thistle seeds. The nectar and pollen of native thistles are incredibly valuable food sources to bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. Our native thistles can be much more refined and are exponentially more valuable to wildlife. Mowing may only be an effective form of management if done so immediately before flowering or when plants have just begin to flower, and done fo repeatedly throughout the growing season. Leaves are smooth on the surface and deeply lobed with spines on the margins. Photo compliments of Rodney Lyn, North Dakota State Extension Service. Bull thistle is the ugliest of the thistles, but it's much easier to control than Canada thistle. Mature plant: Stems of the mature plant are branched and erect, and the plant is taprooted. Individual roots only live for about two years. Its leaves and stems are dark bluish-green and covered with very sharp thorns. Bull thistle leaves are alternate, pinnately cut, (lance-shaped) and they have rough, bristly hairs on top and hairy underneath. If you have a disability and are having trouble accessing information on this website or need materials in an alternate format, contact web-accessibility@cornell.edu for assistance. Flowers are produced in 3/4" diameter purple clusters at the end of the stems in June, July and August. Cornell University’s Turfgrass and Landscape Weed ID app. Most invasive thistles came from Europe in the 1600s. Book published by Cornell University, Ithaca NY. 4D. Each flower can produce up to 300 seeds. Diane Murray. It is important to accurately identify the species of thistle you are trying to control, as control methods differ between the two species. The leaves extending to the stem give the stem a winged appearance. Links: Bull Thistle (Cirsium vulgare) Thistle Plant Identification . One of these, our locally native, Indian or short-style thistle (Cirsium brevistylum), can be confused with bull thistle. As mentioned earlier, they thrive in disturbed soils.) Bull thistle is identified by its more robust form and the non-rhizomatous root system. Blessed be! The problem is …. Each flower can produce up to 300 seeds. Canada thistle is diecious, which means male and female flowers occur on separate plants. Bull Thistle (Cirsium vulgare). R. conicus is established in the western United States and targets various thistle species. Identification information on Bull Thistle by University of Wisconsin-Extension’s Renz Lab. Musk Thistle Vs Canada Thistle Profile on Bull Thistle with extensive descriptions on weed management as a part of the Weed Report from Weed Control in Natural Areas in the Western United States, shared by University of California, Davis. Distaff Thistle (Carthamus lanatus). Bull Thistle (Cirsium vulgare) Bull thistle (Cirsium vulgare), with its purple flower head growing at the side of the road canada thistle stock pictures, royalty-free photos & images Thistle in Autumn A thistle in bloom on the wetlands in rural British Columbia, Canada. I didn’t notice it getting quite so large until I walked by in shorts… Thistle Root. Like the young leaves, older leaves have pronounced stiff spines along the edges, stiff hairs on the upper surface, and softer white hairs below. Musk Thistle (Carduus nutans). The exact means of introduction are largely unknown, but it is speculated that they were brought over in farm seeds. Photos compliments of Weeds of the West. • Bull Thistle (Cirsium vulgare). Managing Canada Thistle Canada thistle (Cirsium arvense) is a perennial that has plagued farmers in America since European settlement, and is a Noxious Weed in Pennsylvania. Plants often have a single, heavily branched stem armed with spiny wings between the leaves. But these descriptions should be restricted to the invasive non-native thistles, like bull thistle (Cirsium vulgare) and Canada thistle (Cirsium arvense); they are the bane of agricultural growers and anyone with ecologically sensitive areas to maintain. Photo by John Cardina of Ohio State University, via Bugwood.org. 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