Monday, December 23, 2024 - Weed Identification - Canada Thistle

In Alberta, invasive weeds are governed under the Alberta Weed Control Act. Invasive weeds are either classified as:

 

·         Prohibited Noxious Weed - which means they must be eradicated, or

·         Noxious Weed - which means they must be controlled

 

There are nearly fifty (50) species of invasive plants that are regulated by the Act. We will explore one of them here.

 

 

Canada Thistle

Cirsium arvense

Provincial Designation: Noxious (must be controlled)

 

Canada Thistle is a member of the Asteraceae (Sunflower) family and was introduced from northern Europe. It is now found across most of Alberta, commonly in overgrazed pastures,

roadside ditches and riparian areas.

 

Concern: Competes with, and displaces native vegetation and reduces agricultural

production.

 

Similar Species: Plumeless Thistle, marsh thistle and other native thistles.

 

Life Cycle: Creeping perennial.

 

Control: Herbicide (using fall rosette treatment), early season grazing.

 

IDENTIFICATION


 

Flower: Purple, pink or white with diameter of 1.5 - 2cm, clusters form at branch ends, bracts have weak prickles (no spines), male and female flowers occur on separate plants, sweet smelling when in bloom.

Leaves: Alternately arranged on the stem, wavy edge, lobed, lance shaped, spine-tipped, lack stalks, upper leaves smaller than lower leaves.

 

Stems: 30-120cm tall, sometimes spiny, erect, ridged, branched, slightly hairy.

 

Root: Horizontal and vertical creeping roots, white, may be very deep.

 

Seed/Fruit: Long, flattened seeds with tufts of white hairs, low germination rate.


 


 

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