Biological Name:
Musk-Thistle – Carduus nutans
Natural Habitat:
Musk-Thistle: This plant is native to Europe and Asia, and can be found in a variety of habitats, including meadows, pastures, and waste areas.
Description:
Musk-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. Musk-thistle is an annual or perennial plant that produces small pink or purple flowers and clusters of seeds. 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 musk-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: Why is musk thistle a problem?
A: Musk thistles reduce forage production and use. Cattle will not graze forage plants in heavy infestation of this thistle. Dense infestations of musk thistle compete strongly with grass or other desirable plants for water, light and nutrients.
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Q: How does musk thistle harm the environment?
A: Ecological damage. Because musk thistle is unpalatable to wildlife and livestock, selective grazing leads to severe degradation of native meadows and grasslands as grazing animals focus their foraging on other plants, giving musk thistle a competitive advantage.
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Q: Are thistles good for nature?
A: Thistles provide a succession of micro-environments and food for a range of birds such as siskin and insects feeding on green leaves, flower heads, dead heads and stems.
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Q: Are bees attracted to thistle?
A: We found that the non-native thistle was the most attractive of the plant species to visiting bee species. However, there was no effect of experimental treatment (presence of thistle) on bee abundance or visitation rate (bees per unit floral area per sample) to native plant species.
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Q: What is musk thistle good for?
A: Medicinally, musk thistle leaves and seeds are useful as a bitter tonic to stimulate liver function. Studies in India have documented that the seeds contain a linoleic acid-rich oil rich which has proved useful in the prevention of atherosclerosis.
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Q: Is thistle good for your liver?
A: Most studies show milk thistle improves liver function and increases survival in people with cirrhosis or chronic hepatitis.
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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: What is unique about musk thistle?
A: Quick facts Musk thistle colonizes in disturbed areas, such as pastures, roadside ditches, ditch banks, hayfields and disturbed prairies. Seeds detach quickly and don’t fall far from parent plant, creating monoculture carpet. Livestock do not eat it, giving it a competitive edge against native species.
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Q: What are the medicinal uses of thistle?
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: Is thistle good for arthritis?
A: Milk thistle for rheumatoid arthritis The study reported significant reductions in the severity of disease activity, swelling, joint tenderness, and patient-reported pain.
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Q: Are thistle weeds 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. We have these all over our yard here in Maine.
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Q: How do you get rid of musk thistle?
A: Musk thistle will not tolerate tillage and can be removed easily by severing its root below ground with a shovel or hoe. Mowing can effectively reduce seed output if plants are cut when the terminal head is in the late-flowering stage. Gather and burn mowed debris to destroy any seed that has developed.
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Q: Is musk thistle an invasive plant?
A: Musk thistle is an invasive species. Musk thistle colonizes in disturbed areas, such as pastures, roadside ditches, ditch banks, hayfields and disturbed prairies.
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Q: What permanently kills thistles?
A: Among myriad available weed sprays, glyphosate proves to be effective on thistle. Apply to individual cut stems an inch or two above the soil line, taking careful aim of the weed sprayer to avoid contact with desirable plants. Reapplication in several weeks may be needed for well-established thistle.
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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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Q: How does musk thistle spread?
A: Musk thistle can only reproduce and spread by seed. Dispersal: Seeds are large, and attached to a pappus (white fluffy “parachuteâ€) for wind dispersal. However, it is estimated that only 5 percent of the seed remains attached to the pappus, and the majority of the seed falls to the ground, creating a patchy dynamic.
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Q: Do bees like musk thistle?
A: The green parts of nodding thistle are spiny, waxy, tough, and practically impenetrable, but the flowers are gorgeous and insects clearly love them for their nectar. In addition to honey bees and bumble bees, the flowers were frequented this morning by Ultragreen Sweat Bees and a multitude of butterflies.
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Q: How does musk thistle affect environment?
A: Because musk thistle is unpalatable to wildlife and livestock, selective grazing leads to severe degradation of native meadows and grasslands as grazing animals focus their foraging on other plants, giving musk thistle a competitive advantage.
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Q: Where is musk thistle found?
A: Musk thistle is found throughout the U.S. except for Maine, Vermont, Florida, Alaska and Hawaii. Musk thistle grows from sea level to about 8,000 ft elevation, in neutral to acidic soils. It invades open natural areas such as meadows, prairies, and grassy balds.
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Q: How did musk thistle get to the US?
A: Musk thistle was introduced to North America as a garden flower by European colonists. The musk thistle weevil was introduced as a biological control agent in the 1980’s and is common across the state. Its larvae feed on developing seed within the flower head.
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Q: Are thistle berries poisonous?
A: Health Risks: Entire plant is highly toxic to humans and livestock, causing vomiting, diarrhea, respiratory issues, and spasms.
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