She is WSU’s Extension Urban Horticulturist and an Associate Professor in the Department of Horticulture, and holds two affiliate associate professor positions at University of Washington. I’ll leave cannabis out the discussion, for obvious reasons, but I don’t think it should be “up to me” to decide these things. Because of its contribution to the persistence of the weed, Canada thistle's extensive root system must be the target of an effective control program. The horse people I have only a nodding acquaintance with, are the Point-to-Point Steeplechase folks of the DC exurbs in Virginia. In pastures, Canada thistle reduces productivity by crowding out forage species with spiny leaves that deter cattle from grazing. In my opinion Canadian thistle isn’t where it’s at. It grows in circular patches, spreading vegetatively through roots which can spread 10 -12′ in one season. “Impacts Agricultural: Canada thistle is an aggressive, creeping, perennial weed. Nope, I’m still on the cavalier side — at least as Canadian thistle compares to other weeds. which damages corn (Detmers 1927). In cropland, Canada thistle causes extensive yield losses through competition for light, nutrients, and moisture. Once established, it spreads quickly replacing native plants. It also increases harvesting problems due to seed and forage contamination. By law, these weeds must be controlled on all public and private lands.”. Even research can be suspect if, as Jeff points out, the thistle isn’t being compared with other weeds as opposed to pristine growing conditions. Wildflowers Of WisconsinWild… Jimsonweed and poison ivy are native and on many state lists. 1993). As it establishes itself in an area, Canada thistle crowds out and replaces native plants, changes the structure and species composition of natural plant communities and reduces plant and animal diversity. At the time I didn't even think to … Controlling Canada thistle organically is done with a sharp eye and an even sharper pair of scissors. In some cases it may lead to cuts and sometimes infections — but it’s not toxic. Enjoy unlimited articles at one of our lowest prices ever. In Minnesota we do have a process by which weeds are listed — and it as objective a process as I’ve seen for these weeds (it is a bit oligarchical at that!). Garlic mustard has been here since colonial times and is on many lists, and makes a fine pesto. “In the Northeast, several weeds including bull and musk thistle, Canada thistle, purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria), mile-a-minute (Polygonum perfoliatum), and garlic mustard (Allaria petifolia) are receiving attention [for biological control efforts – ed.] Linda also is the award-winning author of five books: the horticultural myth-busting The Informed Gardener (2008) and The Informed Gardener Blooms Again (2010) from the University of Washington Press and Sustainable Landscapes and Gardens: Good Science – Practical Application (2009) from GFG Publishing, Inc., and How Plants Work: The Science Behind the Amazing Things Plants Do from Timber Press (2015). Canada thistle (Cirsium arvense) is a root-creeping perennial. Canada thistle. Tall thistles, with silvery leaves, flower in August and September and are a good thistle. Find the base of the Canada thistle plant and simply snip it off at the base. It actually came from Europe. Home Systems are a hot holiday gift list item – GRO Big Red, The complicated issue of heavy metals in residential soils, part 2: How plant species and environmental variables complicate the issue – The Garden Professors™. It releases chemicals toxic to other plants. Thistles reduce the use of an area for grazing or recreational purposes because of the prominent spines on leaves, stalks, and blooms. Cirsium arvense threatens natural communities by directly competing with and displacing native vegetation, decreasing species diversity, and changing the structure and composition of some habitats. Still not convinced. Canada thistle is a cool season perennial which spreads by seed and vegetatively by creeping roots. It is adapted to a wide range of soil conditions, and spreads vigorously by wind-borne seeds and by way of its extensive, creeping root system. In 2002, the Colorado Department of Agriculture surveyed counties and while incomplete, the results showed more than 100,000 acres infested with Canada thistle (Figure 1).”. At this time of year perennial weeds begin moving carbohydrates f…, Fall’s cooler temperatures, increased moisture and reduced humidity allow properly planted trees to establish their root systems quickly, givi…, For decades, Lincoln city parks were turf and trees. In Canada, the major impact of Cirsium arvense is in agricultural land, and in natural areas that have been disturbed or are undergoing restoration (White et al. 4. We (the people of this country) only have so much in the way of resources to combat invasive plants and noxious weeds, so we need to do our best to focus our efforts where it really matters. The wind-dispersed seeds may remain viable for 20 years or more, allowing it to spread quickly and making it difficult to eradicate.”. In addition to reducing forage and pasture production, Canada thistle may scratch grazing animals, resulting in small infections (Moore 1975).”, Washington State: You emphasize the economic costs of control, while downplaying the economic costs of non-control to the Ag industry. Canada thistle produces an abundance of bristly-plumed seeds which are easily dispersed by the wind. These have been designated as noxious weeds, which landowners are required to control. Flowers are pink, bristly, 1/2 inch long and wide. Scientific Name: Cirsium arvense (L.) Scop (ITIS) Common Name: Canada thistle, Californian thistle, Canadian thistle, creeping thistle, field thistle, corn thistle, perennial thistle, field thistle. “The state regulations of the Kentucky Seed Law classify certain plants such as Canada thistle, johnsongrass, and quackgrass as noxious weeds and prohibit their presence in commercial seed sold in Kentucky.”, National Park Service: So what is the objective, neutral, criteria that qualifies one weed as noxious, and another not? Please click hereto see a distribution map of Canada thistle in Washington. It poses an economic threat to the agriculture industry by reducing crop yields.”, Virginia: Canada thistle is a native plant to regions of Europe and Asia but is considered noxious everywhere else. Tall thistle has silver color on the underside of its leaves. Seed production is usually completed in early July. Deer tend to avoid it, though. Canada thistle is a perennial plant with an extensive horizontal and vertical rhizome and root system, which can spread 15′ wide and 6-15′ deep. In Canada and the U.S., it is considered one of the most tenacious and economically important agricultural weeds, but only in recent years has it been recognized as a problem in natural areas. Some callers are insistent that this is musk thistle, the evil plant that chokes out all other plants, covers pastures and range land with inedible spiny plants. From Montana: Generally, infestations start on disturbed ground, including ditch banks, overgrazed pastures, tilled fields or abandoned sites. Basically the citations above point out that this stuff is a weed — which we already knew — I just don’t see this information raising Canadian thistle to the level of noxious weed. Ask yourself what weeds you can target where it will make the most difference. I think you’ll find that the answer is emerging weed problems rather than weeds which have been here for almost 400 years. Characteristics of Canada thistle are extremely variable when examining populations from different regions. Were I in your position, I’d spend my “Political Capital”, on eliminating all the native, beneficial species on the Minnesota secondary noxious weed list bannable at the county level by petition. “THREATS POSED BY THIS SPECIES: Natural areas invaded by Cirsium arvense include prairies and other grasslands in the midwest and Great Plains and riparian areas in the intermountain west. A Monarch butterfly feeds on a native tall thistle. (* about $6500 of my annual salary and benefits comes from fulfilling Master Gardener responsibilities. “Edibility” thus becomes a non-factor, since it ignores the obvious “You can led a horse to thistle, but you can’t make him eat” factor, and the converse of a fine forage food (and erosion control conservation benefits) in the case of kudzu doesn’t change its undesirability. "The Garden Professors" Facebook group - www.facebook.com/groups/GardenProfessors This is an interesting discussion but I’m very confused. A single Canada thistle plant can release more than 5,000 plumed seeds, easily carried several yards by the wind. A stem and a basal clump are shown here, left of the glove. If Dr. Chalker-Scott can use noxious weed lists as a standard against which to judge permaculture practices, on what basis should folks like me be more or less cavalier about them? Where you find tall thistle you usually find bees and butterflies and birds, Meyer said. I make a distinction between noxious and invasive, first off. Organic Canada Thistle Control. The result is a loss of natural diversity. This year, perhaps because of a wet fall a year ago, tall thistle is abundant, said Meyer. They are not on our list but I’ve had enough pain from them to consider them Devil’s spawn! Other Montana crops seriously threatened by Canada thistle include peas, corn, beans, alfalfa and sugar beets. When thistle starts sprouting in their yards, some determine to never use this feed again. So here’s Ray: Here is a brief summary of the results of a google search of .edu and .gov or .us sites on the subject of Canada thistle or Cirsium arvense as a noxious weed, examining the “whys” by a mostly volunteer* Master Gardener reliant on published literature by reputable sources and charged with fulfilling the Land Grant University charter to bring science based information to the local level. Only recently have the harmful impacts of Canada thistle to native species and natural ecosystems received notable attention.”, Idaho: It is known to harbor other pest species, e.g., insects, and has long been recognized as an agricultural est. As an analogy, You can call yourself a race car driver, but that doesn’t make you one, and I wouldn’t believe you are one without some kind of proof — like an article showing how well you’d done in a race last week. Infestations of Scotch thistle reduce forage production and virtually prohibit land utilization for livestock In general, thistle consumption isn’t ideal. Not Your Average Thistle The key to Canada thistle's weediness is its root system. Note the running roots, which can persist and keep sprouting even through a year or two of frequent pulling or spraying with herbicide. Both natural and human caused disturbances can create the opportunity for Canada thistle to become established in natural communities.”, Ohio: And then there are the good thistles, native to Nebraska -- the tall thistle, Flodman thistle, wavyleaf thistle and Platte thistle -- which may get a little frisky for a season or two but are put in their rightful, limited place by natural Nebraska predators. because of their invasive nature.”. Michael Bociurkiw writes that as the US has struggled to flatten the curve on the coronavirus pandemic, its neighbor to the north -- Canada -- has successfully managed to slow the spread of Covid-19. “Noxious weeds are difficult to control and injurious to public health, the environment, roads, crops, livestock and property. Plants primarily regrow and spread from rhizomes, but infestations can also start from seed. It also increases harvesting problems due to seed and forage contamination. Considered noxious under the BC Weed Control Act, Canada thistle is commonly found on roadsides, cultivated fields, pastures, logged forests, riverbanks, and other disturbed areas. A combination of mowing and herbicides is best, Eckberg said. {{start_at_rate}} {{format_dollars}} {{start_price}} {{format_cents}} {{term}}, {{promotional_format_dollars}}{{promotional_price}}{{promotional_format_cents}} {{term}}, Outgoing AG Barr: 'No reason' for special counsel on election fraud, Biden's son, How to tell the evil weeds from the merely annoying, Sarah Browning: Fall is best time to control tough weeds, Sarah Browning: Choosing a good tree and getting it started, Here's how Lincoln plans to add beauty and butterflies to city parks, WATCH: City news conference on coronavirus restrictions in Lincoln, Mayor Beutler gives parting thoughts to Lincoln community, Council candidate Stock recalls memorable campaign moment, Council candidate Meginnis recalls memorable campaign moment. Infestations reduce crop yield through competition for water, nutrients and minerals (Malicki and Berbeciowa 1986) and interfere with harvest (Boldt 1981). It was introduced to North America in the 1600s, probably in agricultural seed shipments and is now widespread throughout the United States and Canada. In the U.S., it is a host for bean aphid and stalk borer, insects that affect corn and tomatoes (Moore 1975), and for sod-web worm (Crampus sp.) If treated properly and in a timely manner using medication and intravenous … This isn’t intended to be a defense of Canadian thistle- only a statement of a desire for a more scientific evaluation. It is difficult to control because its extensive root system allows it to recover from control attempts. Canada thistle definition, an Old World plant, Cirsium arvense, having small purple or white flower heads, now a troublesome weed in North America. There are the bad thistles -- the musk thistle, the plumeless thistle and the Canada thistle, all with purplish flowers -- which came from other countries without their natural predators to keep them in check. Hand-pulling and cultivation are often ineffective control mechanisms because new plants sprout from root pieces that snap off. The complicated issue of heavy metals in residential soils, part 1: What are toxic heavy metals, and where do they come from? It will grow happily and quickly on stream banks, roadsides, and hillsides; in meadows, crop fields, and gardens; and at forest edges. One reference points out that Canadian thistle is toxic to horses — that’s wrong. 3. It also invades wet areas with fluctuating water levels such as streambanks, sedge meadows, and wet prairies. That’s up to you, but if you’re serious about invasive plants then you shouldn’t follow them blindly. Nancy Hicks reports on Lincoln city government, but she’s been following the leaders of local and state government for more than 40 years. Kentucky: “Noxious weeds are found in range and pasture as well as noncrop areas and cropland. Livestock do not eat thistles and will not graze between thistle plants on more desirable forage (Batra 1982).”, Invasive.org (linked from .gov sites): Because he has a lot of links to research in his response, I thought it should have its own posting. They were quiet, pretty, often-mowed places that gave us green and shade in the urban env…. While Canada thistle is the main problem species in this section, there are several other weeds we aim to eliminate such as bindweed, creeping purslane, and pigweed, which have been treated and will be observed as well. Grazing animals will not eat anywhere near where Canada Thistle grows, so if you own horses or cows, a bad infestation of Canada Thistle in your pastures can cause problems. Many states list more than a hundred noxious weeds and others only list a few. An Oligarchcal Committee of Horticulturists unswayed and uswayable by political interests? Bull thistles (Cirsium vulgare) are exactly that – bullish. Additionally, plants can spread by growing in circular … Musk thistles flower in May and June and don't have any silver on their leaves. Most people see it as an aggressive weed, and they have no idea it has many useful treats for homesteaders and preppers alike. aggressive root spread crowds out Native To: Europe . It invades natural areas such as prairies and dunes that have disturbance. Can we ignore these lists, based on what you say here? But why is it so tough to get rid of Canada thistle and what is the best way to do so? That said, Canadian thistle is listed because of political pressure (I do sit on the Minnesota Department of Agriculture’s committee which reviews these weeds). Canada thistle (Cirsium arvense) is a perennial that has plagued farmers in America since European settlement, and is a Noxious Weed in Pennsylvania. In Montana, it is estimated that two shoots per square yard can reduce wheat yield by 15 percent and 25 shoots per square yard can reduce wheat yield by 60 percent. It stores food energy in its extensive root system both to survive the winter and to fuel the plant's reproductive drive the following season. Its root system can be extensive, growing horizontally as much as 18 feet in one season (Nuzzo 1998). She conducts research in applied plant and soil sciences, publishing the results in scientific articles and university Extension fact sheets. Troublesome statewide noxious weeds like Canada thistle, leafy spurge, perennial sow thistle, Russian knapweed, and hoary cress can be serious problems in pasture and rangeland.”. As mentioned earlier, they thrive in disturbed soils.) Thickets of thistle crowd out forage grasses in pastures and rangelands, reducing crop yields and productivity. “Threats: Canada thistle’s rapid growth aggressively competes with native plants and crops for nutrients, moisture and light. Once it’s here efforts to stop them aren’t usually that effective (sometimes biological controls will work). I'm sure its tap root is quite good for loosening and building soil. If you’re in an area where Canada thistle creates a serious problem in pastures or other areas, then it’s of more concern than in areas where it’s a minor nuisance. Date of U.S. Introduction: 1600s . then {{format_dollars}}{{start_price}}{{format_cents}} per month. Bob Rodgers at Survivopedia has an article on Why You Need to Use Thistle for Food and Medicine. Field bindweed has also been around since colonial times. How Did it Get Here? Serious problem should equal active efforts to limit the spread. “Why is it a noxious weed? 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