MUSK THISTLE

(Carduus nutans. L)

COMMON NAMES:

Nodding thistle

DESCRIPTION:

Musk thistle is a biennial or winter annual that can grow up to 8 feet tall. The leaves of Musk thistle are deeply lobed, hairless and are dark green with a light green mid-rib. A silver gray leaf margin is a characteristic of each spine tipped lobe. The leaf base extends down the stem to give the plant a winged appearance. The terminal flower is large and can be 1, 2 or 3 inches in diameter, solitary and usually nodding or bent over slightly. Flowers are purple and are “Powder puff” shaped. Seed dispersals begin 7-10 days after blooming. The seeds are straw colored, oblong, and 1/8 inch in length. Musk thistle only reproduces by seed.

KEY FEATURES OF MUSK THISTLE:

Musk thistle is freely branched and each branch may have one flower or more in addition to the terminal flower. After flowering the seeds are attached to parachute-like hairs (pappus) which allow for their dispersal by wind currents.

HABITAT:

Musk thistle can be found in pastures, rang and forest lands, along right-of-ways, waste areas, ditch banks, stream banks and grain fields.

CONTROL:

There are herbicides and other control methods that commonly control musk thistle. For more information on these herbicides and other control methods contact the SCWP office.

OTHER FACTS:

Musk thistle was a native to Eurasia and was introduced into the U.S. as an ornamental in the early 20th century.