Identify Invasive Species

  1. Canada Thistle
  2. Common Tansy
  3. Common Mullein

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 nameCirsium arvense

FamilyAsteraceae

KingdomPlantae

RankSpecies

Higher classificationCirsium

Did you knowThe Canada thistle is the only thistle with female and male flowers appearing on separate plants.

South Dakota State Noxious Weed

Canada Thistle 1
Canada Thistle 2
Canada Thistle 3

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.