About half the calls to Meyer’s office this month are from people reporting stands of musk thistle, a noxious weed. "The Garden Professors" Facebook page - www.facebook.com/TheGardenProfessors “Human: Spiny thickets of Canada thistle can restrict recreational access to infested areas.”, South Dakota: The complicated issue of heavy metals in residential soils, part 1: What are toxic heavy metals, and where do they come from? Mowing or pulling this weed is not effective because it grows again from vegetative buds on the roots. View all posts by Linda Chalker-Scott. It is a major concern in the Peace … Other Montana crops seriously threatened by Canada thistle include peas, corn, beans, alfalfa and sugar beets. “Noxious weeds are found in range and pasture as well as noncrop areas and cropland. Hand-pulling and cultivation are often ineffective control mechanisms because new plants sprout from root pieces that snap off. Flowers are pink, bristly, 1/2 inch long and wide. Biennial thistles spread only by seed (achenes) that are produced in great number by all the noxious species, ra… If Dr. Chalker-Scott can use noxious weed lists as a standard against which to judge permaculture practices, on what basis should folks like me be more or less cavalier about them? ), From the Minnesota pdf referenced above: Dr. Linda Chalker-Scott has a Ph.D. in Horticulture from Oregon State University and is an ISA certified arborist and an ASCA consulting arborist. It also invades wet areas with fluctuating water levels such as streambanks, sedge meadows, and wet prairies. Thistles reduce the use of an area for grazing or recreational purposes because of the prominent spines on leaves, stalks, and blooms. 4. I once joked with my husband that the best thing about our Canada thistles is that they weren’t bull thistles. This year, perhaps because of a wet fall a year ago, tall thistle is abundant, said Meyer. Grazing animals will not eat anywhere near where Canada Thistle grows, so if you own horses or cows, a bad infestation of Canada Thistle in your pastures can cause problems. In Indiana, Canada thistle normally initiates growth in spring, reaches the flower-bud stage the first week in June, and full flower about the third week of June. A single Canada thistle plant can release more than 5,000 plumed seeds, easily carried several yards by the wind. In cropland, Canada thistle causes extensive yield losses through competition for light, nutrients, and moisture. It actually came from Europe. All biennial thistles considered noxious are native to Europe or Eurasia, and were introduced into North America as seed contaminants. Canada thistle is diecious, which means male and female flowers occur on separate plants. If you’re in an area where Canada thistle creates a serious problem in pastures or other areas, then it’s of more concern than in areas where it’s a minor nuisance. Biology. The … “In alfalfa stands grown for seed production, Canada thistle can reduce yield by 48 percent. There's a difference between a good thistle and a bad one. Deer tend to avoid it, though. Controlling Canada thistle organically is done with a sharp eye and an even sharper pair of scissors. As it establishes itself in an area, Canada thistle crowds out and replaces native plants, changes the structure and species composition of natural plant communities and reduces plant and animal diversity. The result is a loss of natural diversity. Native To: Europe . This isn’t intended to be a defense of Canadian thistle- only a statement of a desire for a more scientific evaluation. There are the bad thistles -- the musk thistle, the plumeless thistle and the Canada thistle, all with purplish flowers -- which came from other countries without their natural predators to keep them in check. because of their invasive nature.”. Do not pull Canada thistle out, as this can split the root, which causes two Canada thistles to grow back. Biennial thistles, such as musk (Carduus nutans L.), plumeless (Carduus acanthoides L.) and bull thistle [Cirsium vulgare (Savi) Tenore], are not as difficult to control as the perennial thistle species, but spread rapidly and can become severe problems in some areas. Tall thistles, with silvery leaves, flower in August and September and are a good thistle. These seeds … But it wasn’t musk thistle growing near the creek. It has its community niches to fill, its services to the system to do. How Did it Get Here? Once it’s here efforts to stop them aren’t usually that effective (sometimes biological controls will work). It was a look-alike relative -- the innocuous tall thistle -- which is a friend to bumblebees and long-horned bees and butterflies, said Superintendent Brent Meyer. Livestock do not eat thistles and will not graze between thistle plants on more desirable forage (Batra 1982).”, Invasive.org (linked from .gov sites): In Montana, it is estimated that two shoots per square yard can reduce wheat yield by 15 percent and 25 shoots per square yard can reduce wheat yield by 60 percent. It produces nitrate, which can be toxic to your horse if ingested in large quantities. These unwanted plants are often more aggressive than existing or desired forage species and compete for light, water, and nutrients. We need a comparison to rate the relative harm of CT. We had a pretty bad outbreak of Canada Thistle (which is a deemed noxious weed in Washington state) a few years ago in our garden. “Weeds can reduce the quantity and the stand life of desirable forage plants in pastures and hayfields. At this time of year perennial weeds begin moving carbohydrates f…, Fall’s cooler temperatures, increased moisture and reduced humidity allow properly planted trees to establish their root systems quickly, givi…, For decades, Lincoln city parks were turf and trees. This is an interesting discussion but I’m very confused. The wind-dispersed seeds may remain viable for 20 years or more, allowing it to spread quickly and making it difficult to eradicate.”. “The state regulations of the Kentucky Seed Law classify certain plants such as Canada thistle, johnsongrass, and quackgrass as noxious weeds and prohibit their presence in commercial seed sold in Kentucky.”, National Park Service: It was introduced to North America in the 1600s, probably in agricultural seed shipments and is now widespread throughout the United States and Canada. It invades natural areas such as prairies and dunes that have disturbance. In some cases it may lead to cuts and sometimes infections — but it’s not toxic. Michael Bociurkiw writes that as the US has struggled to flatten the curve on the coronavirus pandemic, its neighbor to the north -- Canada -- has successfully managed to slow the spread of Covid-19. ECOLOGICAL THREAT: Natural communities that are threatened by Canada thistle include non-forested plant communities such as prairies, barrens, savannas, glades, sand dunes, fields and meadows that have been impacted by disturbance. Troublesome statewide noxious weeds like Canada thistle, leafy spurge, perennial sow thistle, Russian knapweed, and hoary cress can be serious problems in pasture and rangeland.”. It is also known as cursed thistle, probably due to the fact that chopping the roots with a plow effectively spreads the thistle across a field. So that’s the plant most people are seeing now. So here’s Ray: Here is a brief summary of the results of a google search of .edu and .gov or .us sites on the subject of Canada thistle or Cirsium arvense as a noxious weed, examining the “whys” by a mostly volunteer* Master Gardener reliant on published literature by reputable sources and charged with fulfilling the Land Grant University charter to bring science based information to the local level. An extra ten percent yield reduction can occur in alfalfa seed production due to seed cleaning. In general, thistle consumption isn’t ideal. Beyond that, I am sure Canadian thistle has plenty of uses and value in ecosystems. aggressive root spread crowds out Cirsium arvense threatens natural communities by directly competing with and displacing native vegetation, decreasing species diversity, and changing the structure and composition of some habitats. 2nd cite Colorado: “Canada thistle is declared a “noxious weed” throughout the U.S. and has long been recognized as a major agricultural pest, costing tens of millions of dollars in direct crop losses annually and additional millions costs for control. You can cancel at any time. If treated properly and in a timely manner using medication and intravenous … Canada thistle invades natural communities primarily through vegetative expansion, and secondarily through seedling establishment. (* about $6500 of my annual salary and benefits comes from fulfilling Master Gardener responsibilities. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. Infestations of Scotch thistle reduce forage production and virtually prohibit land utilization for livestock This may be partially due to the extensive taproot in many broadleaf weeds that allow them to remain green longer into the dry season, thereby appearing potentially attractive to horses grazing in poor pastures. Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. Of the 11 on the Minnesota list, can you rank them, and tell us why or why not they should be on there? The problem is … Books: http://www.sustainablelandscapesandgardens.com Prickles can also occur all over the plant – on the stem and on the flat parts of the leaves. In Bulgaria Cirsium arvense is a host for the cucumber mosaic virus (Dikova 1989). When I started feeding thistle to the birds, I heard somewhere that it will not germinate. Purple loosestrife has been established for over 200 years, and is quite beautiful, with medicinal properties. At the time I didn't even think to … Not Your Average Thistle The key to Canada thistle's weediness is its root system. Infestations reduce crop yield through competition for water, nutrients and minerals (Malicki and Berbeciowa 1986) and interfere with harvest (Boldt 1981). Canada thistle invades natural areas such as prairies, savannas, open areas in forests, and dunes if some degree of disturbance already exists. Canada thistle can reproduce by seed and has male and female flowers on separate plants. Note the running roots, which can persist and keep sprouting even through a year or two of frequent pulling or spraying with herbicide. Please subscribe to keep reading. Nancy Hicks reports on Lincoln city government, but she’s been following the leaders of local and state government for more than 40 years. 2nd Cite for Pennsylvania: In addition to reducing forage and pasture production, Canada thistle may scratch grazing animals, resulting in small infections (Moore 1975).”, Washington State: Wildflowers Of WisconsinWild… In fact, improper cultivation can even worsen Canada thistle problems!”, From Pennsylvania: Canada thistle is common in pastures and croplands. In the U.S., it is a host for bean aphid and stalk borer, insects that affect corn and tomatoes (Moore 1975), and for sod-web worm (Crampus sp.) {{start_at_rate}} {{format_dollars}} {{start_price}} {{format_cents}} {{term}}, {{promotional_format_dollars}}{{promotional_price}}{{promotional_format_cents}} {{term}}, Outgoing AG Barr: 'No reason' for special counsel on election fraud, Biden's son, How to tell the evil weeds from the merely annoying, Sarah Browning: Fall is best time to control tough weeds, Sarah Browning: Choosing a good tree and getting it started, Here's how Lincoln plans to add beauty and butterflies to city parks, WATCH: City news conference on coronavirus restrictions in Lincoln, Mayor Beutler gives parting thoughts to Lincoln community, Council candidate Stock recalls memorable campaign moment, Council candidate Meginnis recalls memorable campaign moment. Were I in your position, I’d spend my “Political Capital”, on eliminating all the native, beneficial species on the Minnesota secondary noxious weed list bannable at the county level by petition. “Canada thistle threatens productivity in both crop and non-croplands. These have been designated as noxious weeds, which landowners are required to control. Sorry, Jeff. Cirsium arvense presents an economic threat to farmers and ranchers. (Of course, the goldfinches would disagree with me!). then {{format_dollars}}{{start_price}}{{format_cents}} per month. It also increases harvesting problems due to seed and forage contamination. In Canada and the U.S., it is considered one of the most tenacious and economically important agricultural weeds, but only in recent years has it been recognized as a problem in natural areas. Field bindweed has also been around since colonial times. One morning this month the county’s weed superintendent got a call from a golfer who said he'd spotted musk thistle, the noxious weed with the pinkish purple flower, near the sixth fairway at HiMark Golf Course. As mentioned earlier, they thrive in disturbed soils.) They are a noxious weed. Date of U.S. Introduction: 1600s . It will grow happily and quickly on stream banks, roadsides, and hillsides; in meadows, crop fields, and gardens; and at forest edges. The reference from Montana points out that two thistles per square yard can have a significant effect on the growth of crops — I certainly believe that, but then many other weeds will do the same thing so I don’t see why that information should make this weed significantly worse than others. And the difference can be confusing, particularly when they look so much alike. Can we ignore these lists, based on what you say here? “Ecological: Canada thistle spreads rapidly through horizontal roots, which give rise to shoots (Moore 1975). Canada Thistle is also a food source for the engrailed moth. Tall thistle is often found in drainage ditches and wetland areas and not in pastures. It infests crops, pastures, rangelands, roadsides, and riparian areas (Beck 1996). “In the Northeast, several weeds including bull and musk thistle, Canada thistle, purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria), mile-a-minute (Polygonum perfoliatum), and garlic mustard (Allaria petifolia) are receiving attention [for biological control efforts – ed.] And although I greatly value your opinion, my skepticism dictates more facts and figures before I’d sign a petition to remove canada thistle from the noxious weed list. Because of its contribution to the persistence of the weed, Canada thistle's extensive root system must be the target of an effective control program. Canada thistle definition, an Old World plant, Cirsium arvense, having small purple or white flower heads, now a troublesome weed in North America. A combination of mowing and herbicides is best, Eckberg said. I'm sure its tap root is quite good for loosening and building soil. In my opinion Canadian thistle isn’t where it’s at. These prickles are an adaptation that protects the plant from being eaten by herbivores. I make a distinction between noxious and invasive, first off. “Some noxious or invasive weeds are highly toxic to equines, however, and can cause tremendous problems if allowed to invade horse pastures. See more. Please click hereto see a distribution map of Canada thistle in Washington. Organic Canada Thistle Control. Nope, I’m still on the cavalier side — at least as Canadian thistle compares to other weeds. Canada thistle — which is actually not native to North America — is a perennial, so it is harder to control. Bull thistles (Cirsium vulgare) are exactly that – bullish. Canada thistle is a native plant to regions of Europe and Asia but is considered noxious everywhere else. Once established, it spreads quickly replacing native plants. Home Systems are a hot holiday gift list item – GRO Big Red, The complicated issue of heavy metals in residential soils, part 2: How plant species and environmental variables complicate the issue – The Garden Professors™. 1993). “Edibility” thus becomes a non-factor, since it ignores the obvious “You can led a horse to thistle, but you can’t make him eat” factor, and the converse of a fine forage food (and erosion control conservation benefits) in the case of kudzu doesn’t change its undesirability. This highly invasive thistle prevents the coexistence of other plant species through shading, competition for soil resources and possibly through the release of chemical toxins poisonous to other plants. Canada thistle (Cirsium arvense) is a root-creeping perennial. Perennial, wickedly persistent Canada thistle—Cirsium arvense, which is not native, despite its common name. Musk thistles flower in May and June and don't have any silver on their leaves. It stores food energy in its extensive root system both to survive the winter and to fuel the plant's reproductive drive the following season. Persistence is imperative so the weed is continually stressed, forcing it to exhaust root nutrient stores and eventually die.Canada thistle (Cir… Canada thistle (Cirsium arvense) is a perennial that has plagued farmers in America since European settlement, and is a Noxious Weed in Pennsylvania. Canada Thistle Where Did it Come From? And then there are the good thistles, native to Nebraska -- the tall thistle, Flodman thistle, wavyleaf thistle and Platte thistle -- which may get a little frisky for a season or two but are put in their rightful, limited place by natural Nebraska predators. native to Europe and Asia introduced to Canada as a contaminant of a crop seed in the early 1600s has spread throughout most of the continental United States and Alaska Why is it Bad? Weeds can also diminish the quality and palatability of the forage available for livestock grazing, and certain weed species are potentially poisonous to grazing animals. Seed production is usually completed in early July. Home Systems are a hot holiday gift list item. It is also commonly known as Canada thistle and field thistle.. Many states list more than a hundred noxious weeds and others only list a few. In Minnesota we do have a process by which weeds are listed — and it as objective a process as I’ve seen for these weeds (it is a bit oligarchical at that!). I’ll leave it to others more qualified than I am to further debate the relative merits of why or why not a more cavalier (heh!) Personally, I say destroy every one of the nasty things you see. 1. The points from Invasive.org are well made, particularly because they cite research that shows exactly what Canadian thistle is capable of — but in my opinion they over interpret the results. A Monarch butterfly feeds on a native tall thistle. This time of the year the blooming plant is likely tall thistle, a good thistle, a native thistle. Many of these references simply state what noxious is supposed to mean and provide no evidence that Canadian thistle actually fits the definition — that’s not helpful and doesn’t prove anything. “PROBLEM: The extensive root system of Canada thistle allows it to out-compete and displace many native species, especially in degraded prairies where native species are not well established. 3. It is adapted to a wide range of soil conditions, and spreads vigorously by wind-borne seeds and by way of its extensive, creeping root system. Most Canada thistle patches spread at a rate of 3-6 feet/year, crowding out more desirable species and creating thistle monocultures. Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window), The complicated issue of heavy metals in residential soils, part 2: How plant species and environmental variables complicate the issue, The worms crawl in and the worms crawl out but these worms kill your plants, Hydroponics for the Holidays? 2. She is WSU’s Extension Urban Horticulturist and an Associate Professor in the Department of Horticulture, and holds two affiliate associate professor positions at University of Washington. Garlic mustard has been here since colonial times and is on many lists, and makes a fine pesto. “Why is it a noxious weed? While Canada thistle is the main problem species in this section, there are several other weeds we aim to eliminate such as bindweed, creeping purslane, and pigweed, which have been treated and will be observed as well. approach other than current government regulatory action is or is not warranted. Bob Rodgers at Survivopedia has an article on Why You Need to Use Thistle for Food and Medicine. Combining control methods is the best form of Canada thistle management. While Canada thistle (not surprisingly) grows throughout much of Canada, this weed also thrives in most of the U.S., as well as Europe and Asia. Similar plants: Stems of Canada thistle are not spiny in contrast to bull thistle (Cirsium vulgare) and nodding thistle (Carduus nutans). “THREATS POSED BY THIS SPECIES: Natural areas invaded by Cirsium arvense include prairies and other grasslands in the midwest and Great Plains and riparian areas in the intermountain west. There was a problem saving your notification. But it is more of a bushy plant. Hydroponics for the Holidays? The plant is beneficial for pollinators that rely on nectar. We (the people of this country) only have so much in the way of resources to combat invasive plants and noxious weeds, so we need to do our best to focus our efforts where it really matters. Canada thistle is an aggressively spreading perennial weed that has deep, creeping roots which make it difficult and time-consuming to remove. Why is Canada thistle so tenacious? In 2018 Linda was featured in a video series – The Science of Gardening – produced by The Great Courses. Thickets of thistle crowd out forage grasses in pastures and rangelands, reducing crop yields and productivity. Symptoms of toxicity can range from weakness to convulsions and should be considered a serious medical condition. Canada thistle. Add livestock and dairy interests, and I think you’re tilting at windmills with your fellows on the committee. It also invades wet areas with fluctuating water levels such as stream banks, sedge meadows and wet prairies. So, to go to Ray’s question about a cavalier attitude, my opinion is it varies just as widely as the state decision making process. It also increases harvesting problems due to seed and forage contamination. Heavy infestations are also commonly found in overgrazed pastures and ranges and may crowd-out and replace native grasses and forbs, decreasing species diversity in an area. Concern in the Peace … Organic Canada thistle causes extensive yield losses through competition for light, water and! Monarch butterfly feeds on a native tall thistle is usually dried up and has male and female flowers on plants. Was not adding any more of the Garden Professors – a group academic! Thought it should have its own posting 's weediness is its root system and from seed in local national. And dunes that have disturbance not germinate no taller than musk thistle flowers may... 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Is hoping a little education will help people distinguish between good and thistles! These seeds … Canada thistle ( Cirsium vulgare ) are exactly that bullish! - Photo by Chris Evans ; University of Illinois Meyer is hoping little... Years or more, but I ’ m very confused s at me!.! Thistles is that they weren ’ t intended to be a defense of Canadian thistle- only a nodding with. As seed contaminants felt safe that I was not adding any more of the nasty things you.... Of non-control to the Ag industry but it ’ s commonly accepted that the time to stop aren! Even through a year ago, tall thistle, a good thistle confused... Should be considered a serious medical condition, left of the leaves — is a major concern in urban. In his response, I say destroy every one of our lowest prices.., a good thistle year musk thistle -- 5 to 7 feet tall update of Art Kruckeberg’s Gardening native! Concern in the eastern part of the year the blooming plant is beneficial for pollinators that rely nectar. 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