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Canada Thistle
Plant
Cirsium arvense is a perennial species of flowering plant in the family Asteraceae, native throughout Europe and northern Asia, and widely introduced elsewhere. The standard English name in its native area is creeping thistle. Wikipedia
Scientific name: Cirsium arvense
Family: Asteraceae
Kingdom: Plantae
Rank: Species
Higher classification: Cirsium
Did you know: The Canada thistle is the only thistle with female and male flowers appearing on separate plants.
South Dakota State Noxious Weed
Type | Information |
Toxicity | Non-toxic. |
Control | Cutting or mowing, biological, re-vegetation (competing crops) and herbicide. Contact your County Weed District or local Applicator for more information. See 525N for herbicide recommendations. |
Habitat | Wetter habitat or disturbed ground, including ditch banks, overgrazed pastures, tilled fields or abandoned sites. |
Root | Extensive vertical and creeping horizontal roots. |
Leaf Shape | Lance-shaped and shallow-lobed. |
Lifespan | Perennial; two years or longer. |
South Dakota State Weed | Abundant in South Dakota and widespread in many counties. |
Similar Looking Plants | Wavy leaf and bull thistles. |
Important Information | Hard to manage due to extensive nutrient stores and root systems; combinw integrated weed management (IWM) for effective control. The root system accounts for much of the re-establishment of the plant. |