Thistles of Nebraska

Description:

Family: Asteraceae (Sunflower family)

Origin: Eurasia

Life Span: Biennial

Reproduction: by small, curved seeds that have white, fluffy plumes when mature.

Leaves:

• green, with short, stiff hairs on both sides
• spines and dimples often found on upper surface
• wavy and deeply lobed, the lobes turning at right angles to give a 3-dimensional appearance

Stems:

• spiny "wings" extend downward from bases of leaves
• stout and branched
• slight to densely hairy

Flowers:

• dark purple to pinkish
• each bract on base of flower has a long, sharp spine

Root:

• fleshy taproot

Distribution:
Bull thistle is commonly found on rangeland, pastures, gardens, and in roadsides and disturbed areas. It does not withstand cultivation.

Weediness:
This exotic thistle can take over pastures and grazed lands. It is highly competitive for water and nutrients and has been declared noxious in 12 states. Bull thistle is a common contaminant of crop seed.

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Flower

Leaf upperside

Leaf underside

Stem

Root

Bud