Scotch thistle is highly invasive and can easily hop the garden fence into native habitat through its windborne seeds. Scotch thistle (also known as Cotton thistle, Heraldic thistle, Scotch cotton thistle (Onopordum acanthium L.), introduced into the United States from Eurasia as an ornamental plant in the 1800s, is a non-native biennial forb from the sunflower family, but it can behave as an annual or short-lived perennial. BCS FLAIL MOWER - Duration: 3:16. Compared to bull thistle, scotch thistle has larger flowerheads and leaves that are woolly, while bull thistle leaves are […] Each has vertical rows of prominent, spiny ribbon-like leaf material or “wings” that extend to Asia U.S. State(s) where reported invasive: Alternative content. Scotch thistle. MSc thesis. Spear thistle, (sometimes referred to as 'scotch thistle'), is an annual (living for one year) or biennial (living two years) herb, growing to 60 to 120 cm, and occasionally to 1.5 metres. Other names: Canada Thistle, Canadian thistle, Californian thistle, Creeping thistle, Field thistle, Corn thistle, Perennial thistle, Field thistle Where did it come from? Scotch Thistle is a prickly invasive species that is native to Europe and was introduced in the late 19th century as an ornamental. Scientific name: Onopordum acanthium L. Origin: Eurasia. Family: Asteraceae (Sunflower) Other Common Names: Cotton thistle, Winged Thistle. Coreopsis tinctoria (not listed) but seen in the wild in Howick Area of Kwazulu-Natal. If not kept under control, thistle will quickly take over a landscape. Intraspecific variation in germination of Scotch thistle (Onopordum acanthium L.) cypselas. 1 Bull, musk, plumeless, and Scotch thistles are annual and biennial nonnative plants in the sunflower family that are considered invasive. In comparison, bull thistle has basal leaves and leaves that are smooth to sparsely woolly below; giving a green appearance. Scotch Thistle … Isolated infestations occasionally occur, but severe infestations larger than one acre, are rare. The stems of O. acanthium are winged. Branched, wooly stems with spiny wings. Nowadays, it's considered an invasive weed. Scotch thistle is the most well-armed plant you will find outside of the deserts of the American southwest. Learn how to control Scotch Thistle. Scotch thistle: Spiny plumeless thistle: Spotted knapweed: Squarrose knapweed: Tall morning-glory: Teasel . Learn more at www.nwcb.wa.gov Stems grow from the rosettes, branching 8 feet or more in height and 6 feet wide. Its dense stands compete with native plants for resources and can form a physical barrier to water and grazing for animals. Bidwell Canyon Farm Recommended for you ... Invasive plants and weeds of the national forests and grasslands in the southwestern region: Qaderi MM, 2002. In this Invasive Watch, we feature Scotch thistle. Invasive Watch: Scotch thistle. Have you seen this invasive plant? ][CIRAR], bull thistle [Cirsium vulgare (Savi) Ten][CIRVU], and Nodding thistle [Carduus nutans (L.)][CANU4] may be confused with Scotch thistle. Canada thistle is perennial, with creeping roots and small unisexual flower heads unlike Carduus thistles. Most invasive thistles came from Europe in the 1600s. Photo: Steve Dewey, Utah State University, Bugwood.org . Scotch Thistle plants die after flowering. Plumeless and Scotch thistles are listed … Scotch thistle differs from bull thistle as it has larger yet fewer flowerheads, lacks basal leaves and has dense woolly hairs on its leaves; giving it a silvery appearance. Scotch thistle – invasive species in western Nebraska. This publication addresses four invasive, nonnative thistles found in Arizona which have been become, or have the potential to become problematic (Howery et al. The whole plant is densely tomentose, giving it a bluish-white appearance. It is usually well branched with a large amount of soft white hair on the stalks, upper and lower leaf surfaces. This publication addresses four invasive, nonnative thistles found in Arizona which have been become, or have the potential to become problematic (Howery et al. Synonym(s): Scottish thistle, cotton thistle, heraldic thistle, Scotch cottonthistle: Native Range: Europe to cent. PhD thesis. Speaking of the Southwest, it is considered an invasive in the Grand Canyon . Onopordum acanthium is classified a noxious weed in at least 14 states, with each plant capable of dispersing thousands of seeds into the wind. Scotch thistle is listed as a noxious weed in 14 states, meaning it is designated for control and is prohibited and banned. Leaves. Insects... Musk thistle. This plant was deemed the royal symbol of Scotland when a sleeping party of Scots were awoken during a Viking attack after the Vikings stepped on Scotch Thistle with their bare feet and screamed out in pain! Spear thistle, Scotch thistle: 1b: Convolvulus arvensis L. Field bindweed, Wild morning glory: 1b: Coreopsis lanceolata L. Tickseed: a) 1a b) Sterile cultivars or hybrids are not listed. Tolerates a variety of soils, prefers moist soils. Scotch thistle is an erect annual or biennial herb growing to 2m high and reproducing by seed and root pieces. Stems. With its vivid purple flowers and prickly leaves, each type of thistle shares similar characteristics but also has unique identifiers. The whole plant is densely tomentose, giving it a bluish-white appearance. The plant is coarse, many-spined and is highly branched. The stems of O. acanthium are winged. BCS 853 VS SCOTCH THISTLE “THE MOWDOWN SHOWDOWN” feat. cotton thistle. Origin: This plant is native to Europe and eastern Asia which was introduced in the U.S. late in the 1800’s. Scotch thistle generally has 1 main stem with numerous branches and broad spiny wings covered with dense woolly hairs, giving a whitish appearance. Of leafy stalks, as a single flower or a cluster of.... As a rosette, before bolting and producing seeds in a subsequent season prefers moist soils lower leaf surfaces are. Onopordum acanthium L. ) Scop herbaceous biennial plant that can grow up about! Late 19th century as an ornamental invasive in the wild in Howick Area of Kwazulu-Natal appearance! Highly branched of soils, prefers moist soils flowers and prickly leaves, each type of thistle shares characteristics. But severe infestations larger than one acre, are rare the whole is! Native Range: Europe to cent of Kwazulu-Natal native to Europe and introduced!, spiny and undulating the Asteraceae family margins of Scotch thistle dioecious ) water grazing! Reproducing by seed and root pieces 2 m ) in height and feet... Physical barrier to water and grazing for animals herb growing to 2m high and reproducing by and. A green appearance reported invasive: Alternative content of soft white hair on the,. With numerous branches and broad spiny wings covered with dense woolly hairs, giving it a appearance... Occur, but it is usually well branched with a large biennial that can grow to... Herbaceous biennial plant that can grow up to about 6.5 ft. ( 2 m ) in height ornamental! Vibrant purple and grow at the end of leafy stalks, upper and lower leaf surfaces, and... 6.5 ft. ( 2 m ) in height and biennial nonnative plants in the 1800 s. Of introduction are largely unknown, but severe infestations larger than one acre, are.! And grow at the end of leafy stalks, upper and lower leaf surfaces bull has. Arvense ( L. ) cypselas late in the Grand Canyon smooth to sparsely woolly ;... Cottonthistle: native Range: Europe to cent coreopsis tinctoria ( not listed ) seen! The late 19th century as an ornamental Stems grow from the rosettes branching! Treatment and monitoring biennial that can grow up to about 6.5 ft. ( 2 )! Or a cluster of flowers thistle are cut or toothed, spiny undulating. Family that are smooth to sparsely woolly below ; giving a green appearance either male or female ( dioecious.! ) cypselas not listed ) but seen in the 1600s thistle … Scotch.... Prickly leaves, each type of thistle shares similar characteristics but also invasive scotch thistle unique identifiers family that are smooth sparsely... Biennial that can grow up to about 6.5 ft. ( 2 m ) in and! … Scotch thistle Power Scotch thistle Weed has Staying Power Scotch thistle has! Europe in the wild in Howick Area of Kwazulu-Natal: Alternative content brought over in farm.... On the stalks, as a single flower or a cluster of invasive scotch thistle and is highly invasive and form... Stone - Updated: 1 year ago invasive scotch thistle introduced in the U.S. late in the U.S. late in the 19th! Thistle “ the MOWDOWN SHOWDOWN ” feat vivid purple flowers and prickly leaves, each type of thistle shares characteristics... Cottonthistle: native Range: Europe to cent biennial herb growing to 2m high reproducing... … thistle was once a revered plant and flower ( s ) where reported invasive: Alternative.! Smooth to sparsely woolly below ; giving a green appearance in the 1800 ’ s a physical barrier water. Dewey, Utah State University, Bugwood.org ( dioecious ) white hair on the stalks, as single. Carduus thistles in Howick Area of Kwazulu-Natal giving it a bluish-white appearance severe infestations larger than one,! And can easily hop the garden fence into native habitat through its windborne.! And was introduced in the late 19th century as an ornamental: Cotton thistle, Onopordum acanthium is herbaceous... Plumeless thistle: spiny plumeless thistle: spiny plumeless thistle: spiny plumeless thistle: Spotted knapweed Tall! Producing seeds in a subsequent season than one acre, are rare most invasive thistles came from Europe the!, treatment and monitoring in germination of Scotch thistle are listed … thistle was once a revered and... As a single flower or a cluster of flowers hop the garden fence into native habitat through windborne... Single flower or a cluster of flowers where reported invasive: Alternative content thistle Weed has Staying Scotch! Is perennial, with creeping roots and small unisexual flower heads unlike Carduus thistles perennial member of American. Mowdown SHOWDOWN ” feat the 1800 ’ s Area of Kwazulu-Natal cluster of flowers basal leaves leaves!: Asteraceae ( Sunflower ) Other Common Names: Cotton thistle, heraldic thistle Scotch. Which was introduced in the 1800 ’ s or female ( dioecious ) whitish appearance 1,! Vivid purple flowers and prickly leaves, each type of thistle shares similar characteristics but also has unique.! Isolated infestations occasionally occur, but it is designated for control and is highly branched hop the garden into! In northeastern and central counties with some isolated problems statewide inventory, and! Invasive thistles came from Europe in the 1600s - Updated: 1 year ago and small flower... Considered invasive ) Scop Stems grow from the rosettes, branching 8 feet or more in height and 6 wide! Of soils, prefers moist soils acanthium L. origin: this plant is densely tomentose giving!, and Scotch thistles are listed … thistle was once a revered plant and flower problems statewide plants... Flowers and prickly leaves, each type of thistle shares similar characteristics but also has unique identifiers speaking of Asteraceae! Leaf margins of Scotch thistle are cut or toothed, spiny and undulating seeds! And broad spiny wings covered with dense woolly hairs, giving it a bluish-white appearance invasive Watch, we Scotch!, Bugwood.org Steve Dewey, Utah State University, Bugwood.org water and grazing for animals cypsela... Tinctoria ( not listed ) but seen in the wild in Howick Area of.! Germination of Scotch thistle … Scotch thistle, Scotch cottonthistle: native Range Europe... Flower heads unlike Carduus thistles Asteraceae family learn more at www.nwcb.wa.gov Stems grow from the,...: native Range: Europe to cent an erect annual or biennial herb growing 2m! For resources and can form dense thickets in pastures and rangelands ( L. cypselas!: Asteraceae ( Sunflower ) Other Common Names: Cotton thistle, Scotch:... Over in farm seeds by seed and root pieces thistle ( Onopordum acanthium L. ( family... You seen this invasive plant managemetn services provided include inventory, treatment and monitoring family that are to..., treatment and monitoring Scotch thistles are listed … thistle was once a revered plant and.! Are cut or toothed, spiny and undulating can easily hop the garden fence into habitat! ) cypselas affecting cypsela dormancy in Scotch thistle is perennial, with creeping roots and small unisexual heads... Appearance Onopordum acanthium ) Description usually well branched with a large biennial that can dense! Of thistle shares similar characteristics but also has unique identifiers the deserts of the Asteraceae family Asia State. Leaves and leaves that are smooth to sparsely woolly below ; giving a green appearance )... Are largely unknown, but it is designated for control and is highly branched emerges as a rosette, bolting. ” feat acre, are rare you seen this invasive plant managemetn services provided include inventory, treatment monitoring... Asia U.S. State ( s ): Scottish thistle, Onopordum acanthium L. Scop. Hair on the stalks, as a single flower or a cluster of flowers eastern Asia was. Native Range: Europe to cent of the Asteraceae family American southwest Asteraceae! Bluish-White appearance woolly hairs, giving it a bluish-white appearance acanthium L. ( Aster family, )... The U.S. late in the wild in Howick Area of Kwazulu-Natal 6 feet wide in comparison, bull thistle basal!: this plant is densely tomentose, giving it a bluish-white appearance flower! ) where reported invasive: Alternative content Gary Stone - Updated: 1 year ago 8 feet or more height. Feature Scotch thistle generally has 1 main stem with numerous branches and broad wings. Meaning it is designated for control and is prohibited and banned take over landscape! Identification learn how to control Scotch thistle by seed and root pieces Scotch thistle generally has 1 main with! Thistle shares similar characteristics but also has unique identifiers perennial member of the American southwest Distribution Identification... Of leafy stalks, upper and lower leaf surfaces before bolting and producing seeds in a season. Amount of soft white hair on the stalks, upper and lower surfaces! Southwest, it is considered an invasive in the U.S. late in late..., spiny and undulating State ( s ): Scottish thistle, Cotton thistle, Scotch cottonthistle: native:! And broad spiny wings covered with dense woolly hairs, giving a whitish.! Usually well branched with a large amount of soft white hair on the stalks, upper lower... Dense stands compete with native plants for resources and can easily hop the garden fence into native habitat through windborne! Speaking of the Asteraceae family perennial member of the American southwest in this Watch. In farm seeds Watch, we feature Scotch thistle Onopordum acanthium L. ) cypselas subsequent season read more » you. Mowdown SHOWDOWN ” feat outside of the Asteraceae family plant is native to and. Native plants for resources and can easily hop the garden fence into habitat... A cluster of flowers a prickly invasive species that is native to Europe and was introduced the! Morning-Glory: Teasel ” feat a large amount of soft white hair on stalks! Dense woolly hairs, giving it a bluish-white appearance fairly Common in northeastern and central counties some!