 Description:
Family:
Asteraceae (Sunflower family)
Origin: Eurasia
and North Africa
Life Span:
Perennial
Reproduction: by seeds and a
creeping root system that grows both horizontally and vertically.
Leaves:
- highly variable, from dark to light
green in color
- usually smooth and somewhat waxy on
the top surface and may be slightly hairy underneath
- edges are wavy to coarsely lobed with
spines
Stems:
- hollow
- smooth, without any spines or leafy
"wings"
Flowers:
- male and female flowers grow on
different plants
- usually pink or purple, rarely white
- female flowers are more elongated
than male flowers
- bracts on base of flower have very
short spines
Root:
- fleshy, creeping rhizome
- extensive root system can
penetrate up to 27 feet below soil surface
- new plants may grow from rhizome when
root is cut or plowed
- several rosettes may be attached
along the same root
Distribution:
Canada thistle is found in almost all places in Nebraska, other than the extreme
southeast. It thrives on rangeland, pastures, roadsides, disturbed sites especially in
deep and moist soil.
Weediness:
This is an aggressive invader that has been declared a noxious
weed in 49 states. It is capable of forming extensive colonies and its ability to
re-grow from underground rhizomes makes it very difficult to eradicate.
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