Biological Name:
Cirsium muticum (Plumeless-Thistle)
Natural Habitat:
Plumeless Thistle: This plant is native to Europe and can be found in a variety of habitats including meadows, fields, and waste areas.
Description:
Plumeless thistle is a type of flowering plant that is commonly found in fields and other grassy areas. It is a member of the Asteraceae family which also includes plants such as daisies and sunflowers. Plumeless thistle is a biennial or perennial plant that produces large spiny leaves and showy purple or white flowers. The plant is often used as a cover crop to improve soil health and suppress weeds. It is also known for its ability to tolerate a wide range of growing conditions including wet or dry soils. In some areas plumeless thistle is considered a weed because of its ability to invade cultivated areas and cause allergies and other health problems.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Is the spiny Plumeless Thistle invasive?
A: Plumeless thistle is an invasive species. Plumeless thistle is on the Control noxious weed list meaning you must prevent the spread of this plant. Plumeless thistle is most commonly found on highly disturbed sites and pastures. It replaces native species quickly.
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Q: How do you get rid of Plumeless thistle?
A: To get rid of thistles, cut off any unopened buds or flowers as soon as you see them to prevent the plants from going to seed. If the plant has fully matured, cut them at the base, right under the leaves. Alternatively, use a weeding tool or your hands to pull out the plant by the roots.
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Q: How do you get rid of spiny sow thistle?
A: Small isolated plants can be effectively controlled by hand pulling and digging out as much of the roots and rhizomes as possible. This plant is relatively resistant to many, but not all, common broadleaf herbicides. Spot spraying with an herbicide containing the active ingredient glyphosate (Roundup Pro, Glyfos, etc.)
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Q: Why is the creeping thistle a problem?
A: The loss of native plants tends to disrupt animal habitats and limits food sources for grazing wildlife. Creeping thistle also produces chemicals that alter the pH levels in the soil, giving native species even more trouble. It can spread via seeds or can regrow from buried parts of the root.
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Q: What is spiny sow thistle good for?
A: Common sow thistle is in the Compositae (Asteraceae) family. This is a nutritious plant that contains several minerals (calcium, magnesium, iron, phosphorus, sodium, potassium and zinc) and vitamins ( A, B1, B2, B3, B6, & C). The leaves are also great to use as an antioxidant.
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Q: How do you stop Canada thistle from spreading?
A: Mid-May to mid-June (prior to flowering) — Herbicide treatments containing clopyralid, aminopyralid or glyphosate when the plant is in bud to flower stage can be effective for reduction of the population. Alternatively, mechanically cut Canada thistle prior to flowering with a rotary mower set at the highest height.
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Q: Are thistle spikes poisonous?
A: Health Risks: Entire plant is highly toxic to humans and livestock, causing vomiting, diarrhea, respiratory issues, and spasms.
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Q: Where is Plumeless Thistle found?
A: Habitat and Ecology Spiny plumeless thistle (Carduus acanthoides) is found in the Northeast, the Midwest, and many western states, except Oregon, Nevada, Utah, and Arizona. It is native to Europe and was first discovered in the United States in Camden, New Jersey, in 1878.
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Q: Is thistle poisonous to humans?
A: Health Risks: Entire plant is highly toxic to humans and livestock, causing vomiting, diarrhea, respiratory issues, and spasms.
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Q: Why is Canadian thistle a problem?
A: “Canada thistle threatens productivity in both crop and non-croplands. In cropland, Canada thistle causes extensive yield losses through competition for light, nutrients, and moisture. It also increases harvesting problems due to seed and forage contamination.
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Q: Is the thistle plant good for anything?
A: Thistle is a very beneficial plant for pollinators. Bees, flies, beetles, and butterflies all like the nectar of the thistle flowers.
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Q: What is the thistle plant good for?
A: Historically, people have used milk thistle for liver disorders and gallbladder problems. Milk thistle is promoted as a dietary supplement for hepatitis, cirrhosis, jaundice, diabetes, indigestion, and other conditions.
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Q: What part of the thistle plant is edible?
A: In addition to the root, the stems are edible, when peeled. However, the thistle contains inulin, which gives some people digestive issues.
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Q: Are thistles Scottish or Irish?
A: Scotland’s national flower. England has the rose, Wales the daffodil, Ireland the shamrock and Scotland…the thistle. Second only to tartan, nothing quite says ‘Scotland’ like this humble, prickly weed. But how on earth did it become the proud emblem of an entire nation?
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Q: Is nodding thistle invasive?
A: Ecological Threat. Carduus nutans invades a variety of disturbed areas. Pastures are particularly at risk because It is unpalatable to livestock. Once established it can spread rapidly due to high seed production (as much as 120,000 seed per plant).
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Q: How do you control nodding thistle?
A: provide control if repeated over a number of years. Mowing just before seed set is ef- fective, but the debris should be collected and burned. Severing the taproot just below ground will kill plants. either Metsulfuron-methyl or 2,4-D, is registered for use on nodding thistle.
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Q: How do you stop thistles from spreading?
A: Plant prolifically. Thistle seedlings germinate in empty, unshaded soil. Pulling them may leave a portion of root behind, which will re-sprout in time. … Cover it. Mulch eliminates thistle seed germination and smothers new plants. … Snip smart. In lawns, snip small thistle at the soil level.
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Q: How fast does thistle spread?
A: Once the plant becomes established, roots are the most important means of propagation. Canada thistle has an extensive underground root system that may penetrate the soil to a depth of 10 feet or more and grow laterally 12 to 15 feet per year.
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Q: How deep do thistle roots go?
A: Plant: Canada thistle is a herbaceous perennial in the aster family (asteraceae) with erect stems 1 to 4 feet tall, prickly leaves and an extensive creeping root system. Fibrous tap roots may extend 6 feet deep while horizontal roots stemming from the tap roots produce new shoots.
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Q: Do thistle roots survive winter?
A: Spring treatment: All winter, Canada thistle lays dormant under the ground, subsisting on the nutrients stored in its roots and rhizomes. When the snow melts in spring, it will use that precious stored energy to push a flush of leaves out of the ground, which will start out as a patch of spiny rosettes.
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Q: Do thistles come back every year?
A: Thistle is an invasive biennial or perennial weed, meaning it grows every other year, or grows every year depending on the species and can form large infestations quickly.
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Q: Should I let a thistle grow in my garden?
A: Thistle do nicely! Far from being just a prickly nuisance, thistles can be a spectacular asset to your garden, says Monty Don – and some are edible too. Thistles tend to be branded as spiky weeds thanks to their ability to reproduce themselves voraciously if allowed to seed.
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Q: Do thistles grow back every year?
A: Habit The perennial sow thistle flowers from late July until early October, with some seeds ready to germinate just 4 days after flowering. They can even mature on stems that are cut down and left to dry. Each plant has on average 13,000 seeds. The plant dies down in winter, and sprouts from the thick root in spring.
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Q: Do thistles grow back after cutting?
A: When pruning, always cut the flower stems at the very base of plants. As with most perennials, cut back the globe thistles completely close to the ground in autumn. The roots overwinter in the soil and sprout fresh the next spring.
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Q: How do I control thistle in my lawn?
A: The best way to avoid thistle is to keep your lawn thick and lush. Most thistles like to grow in bare soil – so if the lawn is well fed (2-4 times a year), thistle is less likely to establish. If thistle has already snuck its way into your lawn, spray it before the roots are well established.
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Q: What is the best way to stop the spread of a thistle?
A: To keep thistles from establishing, minimize soil disturbance and cover bare soils with mulch. Because of their tough roots, thistles can be difficult to control. Thistle seedlings have bristles or spines on their leaves, so as soon as you notice a seedling, pull it out before the roots are well established.
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