Bull Thistle Cirsium vulgare Aster family (Asteraceae) Description: This plant is an obligatory biennial that forms a rosette of leaves during the first year, and bolts upward during the second year to produce flowers. Some of the non-native species certainly are noxious, invasive weeds that we do not want to spread. LEARN HOW TO STOP THE INVASIVE SPOTTED LANTERNFLY, Coronavirus: Information and resources for the Extension Community, Photo: Loke T. Kok, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Bugwood.org, bull thistle, Cirsium vulgare. Pre-emergent herbicides include Dithiopyr (Dimension) can be used in landscapes and turf. Virginia Botanical Associates. Bull thistle (Cirsium vulgare) is a biennial that true to its name, has notable spines. Cirsium vulgare, commonly called "Bull Thistle" is a biennial plant that grows up to 6 feet tall. But this native species—field thistle— really stands out as a very tall species, and towers over my head at about 8 feet. The Bull Thistle can take over a field in a few short years. Because control is not required in the county, it is on the list of Non-Regulated Noxious Weeds for King County. … National Plant Data Team, Greensboro, NC 27401-4901 USA. Cirsium discolor, the field thistle, is a North American species of plants in the thistle tribe, within the sunflower family.It is native to thirty-three states in the United States as well four Canadian provinces. Solutions are posted to the . Perennial sow-thistle is a perennial weed reproducing by seed and by buds on underground roots. Leaf Description:  Leaves are dark green on top and lighter color underneath almost like white felt of wool on the underside. There will not be as many as you hoped for. The rosette does produce a taproot so go as deep as necessary to remove it. Why do we need this? It has a taste somewhat like a Jerusalem artichoke, but not as nice. Many insects feed on the leaves, stems, flowers and seeds, while some songbirds also feed on thistle seeds. Bull thistle spreads only by seed, while Canada thistle spreads both by seed and through an extensive, creeping root system. (Unpublished Report) Richmond, Virginia: Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, Division of Natural Heritage. It forms occasional side stems, but remains erect in stature, reaching 3-6' in height. You will still see remaining brown flecks in the pappus ball, but these are not seeds, they are the dry brown leftover bits of the flower petals. Pasture thistle (C. pumilum), unlike field thistle, doesn’t produce very many flowers. Cirsium arvense. In Virginia, there are many native thistle species, but as often is the case, the relative likelihood of encountering a non-native species is high. Most or all of the leaves of field thistle are deeply lobed. If so, be aware that there are some species near you that may be threatened or endangered. The risk of spreading non-native seeds into the larger ecosystem can be reduced if you clean the collected seed of its pappus “parachute” hairs. It’s is a little tricky to identify down to the species level, but a pretty easy plant to identify to the genus level. Spiny-winged, hairy stems elongate during the second year, often branched up to 7 feet tall. National Wildlife Rehabilitators Association, St. Bull thistle is usually a biennial, but sometimes an annual or monocarpic perennial. Musk thistle is similar in growth habit and appearance to Bull Thistle (Cirsium vulgare), however bull thistle has many hairs on the upper surface of the leaf blades unlike musk thistle which mostly lacks hairs. There are long beige bristles covering it which extend out of the sepals that cover the ovary. Flowers and fruit. Most invasive thistles came from Europe in the 1600s. Field thistle is uncommon in the Ozarks but scattered to common elsewhere in the state. Bull thistle overwinters in this stage. New York: Dover Publications. Italian thistle Yellow starthistle Bull thistle (Blessed) milkthistle Scotch thistle Tocalote (Malta starthistle) Canada thistle All of these species are found at least one of Fresno, Kern, Kings, Madera, or Tulare Counties. Comparatively, Canada thistle is a perennial that reproduces through underground rhizomes and wind-blown seeds. Cirsium vulgare (bull thistle, common thistle, or spear thistle) is listed as a noxious weed in nine US states. The leaves that follow are longer with pronounced spiny lobes. See All Pest, Disease and Weed Identification, See All Beer, Hard Cider, and Distilled Spirits, See All Community Planning and Engagement, Common Pokeweed Identification and Management. By entering your email, you consent to receive communications from Penn State Extension. Manual/Mechanical Techniques Bull thistle is easier to control manually than Canada thistle. Lobes on leaves are tipped with stout spines. Digital Atlas of the Virginia Flora (http://www.vaplantatlas.org). If viewed from the side it looks a little like a green pineapple (to me). Hopefully you will see the seed pull out with the pappus. A rather bland flavor, the root is best used mixed with other vegetables. Bull thistle reproduces only from seeds which germinate in the spring. Remember to always read the label for proper application sites and rates. Townsend, J. F. (2015, April) Rare Plants Natural Heritage Technical Report 15-10. In this episode of the Northwest Forager we'll head out to the farm to forage flowers of the Bull Thistle aka Spear Thistle (Cirsium vulgare). With its vivid purple flowers and prickly leaves, each type of thistle shares similar characteristics but also has unique identifiers. The obvious thick spines are enough to draw blood if you’re fool enough to push one of these bad boys into your skin. Tall thistle is closely related to field thistle (C. discolor), and the two can hybridize where they grow near each other. You must have JavaScript enabled in your browser to utilize the functionality of this website. The PLANTS Database (http://plants.usda.gov, 4 January 2016). The foliage of bull thistle has stiff hairs on top and a woolly appearance on the bottom; while Canada thistle is smooth on top and either smooth or hairy on the underside. Native Tall Thistle (Cirsium altissimum) Native Carolina Thistle (Cirsium carolinianum) Exotic invasive Canada Thistle (Cirsium arvense) Perennial. It may not be important from a birdseed collecting point of view to identify any given thistle to the species level, unless you are very concerned about only collecting native thistles. Some species in particular are cultivated in gardens and wildflower plantings for their aesthetic value and/or to support pollinators such as butterflies. Copyrighted data used with permission. This plant and the related entities and synonyms italicized and indented above can be weedy or invasive according to the authoritative sources noted below.This plant may be known by one or more common names in different places, and some are listed above. Additionally, the flower heads and bracts of bull thistle gradually taper to a point when compared to those of musk thistle. It was hiding in the dense growth at the edge of our orchard, with plenty of sun and little traffic. Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/plants/forb/cirvul/all.html [2016, December 4]. Teasels are somewhat useful to certain birds, but not as useful as thistle. Rosettes up to 3 ft in diameter form the first year. If you pull out the pappus and there is no seed attached, then you can break the flower head in half after removing all the fluff and see if you can scrape out the seed that might still be lodged in the ovary. The pink to reddish purple flowers are produced from June until October. Both Circium spp. Bull thistle is a Class C Noxious Weed in Washington, first listed in 1988. Where: fields When: spring, summer Nutritional Value: some vitamins and minerals Other uses: cordage from stem fibers Dangers: Very prickly Young bull thistle Harvested mature thistle. Wear thick gloves. Habitat: Perennial sow-thistle occurs throughout Ontario in cultivated fields, pastures, meadows, woodland, waste places, roadsides, gardens and occasionally in lawns. Thistle was once a revered plant and flower. Given the opportunity, a bull thistle can grow to 5 feet tall, and send out multiple flower stalks. Bull thistle rosette (left). For more information, see Noxious Weed Lists and Laws or visit the website of the Washington State Noxious Weed Contr… Bull thistles (Cirsium vulgare) are exactly that – bullish. The leaves are narrow and deeply incised, with spines on the end of each leaf lobe. Many folks can recognize the spiny thistle plants of summer field and roadside. Do more research to make sure you are identifying your target species correctly and not harvesting a threatened species! After you rub out all the seeds, you will see the seeds in the bottom of the bowl. Partially-peeled stem. Native thistle provide important habitat and food sources for native fauna. Field Thistle most closely resembles Tall Thistle (Cirsium altissimum), which also has soft needle-like spines on the floral bracts, hairy stems and white on the underside of leaves. I often see one large flower; sometimes up to three (but once there were twenty on a single plant!). 2002. Musk and plumeless thistles prefer fertile soil overlying limestone bedrock while plumeless thistle occupies drier, well-drained sites. The root is rich in inulin, a starch that cannot be digested by humans. PLANTS Profile - Cirsium discolor, Field Thistle Identification •Many species start as a basal rosette in fall You have to really love your rehabber to collect thistle seed. View our privacy policy. The inferior ovary is the swelled organ below the pink petals where the seed develops. Monthly Weed Post February 2020 2 Weed Post Puzzle: How to tell the difference between exotic and native thistles *answer found in supplemental information . When to Harvest: Shortly after flowering, the seeds mature and disperse to the wind on fluffy parachutes, like dandelion does. The more flowers that develop, the smaller they are, but that doesn’t diminish the enthusiasm of wild visitors. Knapweed seeds are also eaten by birds. c/o Virginia Botanical Associates, Blacksburg. Leaves are 3 to 12 inches long, deeply lobed with coarse prickly hairs on the top and woolly hairs underneath. American Wildlife and Plants: A Guide to Wildlife Food Habits. You want to peel away the stem's outer red-green layer. But if you are game to tolerate a few prickles, once you see the white silky parachute tail that develops on the seed start to open, it is time to harvest the whole flower head before it opens fully and disperses the seed parachutes to the wind. Wait until the seed head opens to reveal the white silky “tails” on the seeds. The hollow stem. Photos by Matt Lavin, MSU. Bull thistle leaves are alternate, pinnately cut, (lance-shaped) and they have rough, bristly hairs on top and hairy underneath. The white pappus “parachute”or “hair”, is about ¾ inch long (20+ mm). Bull, musk, plumeless, and Scotch thistle (left to right). Leaves are variable: best determined by clusters of smaller flowers and creeping root system (versus tap roots in natives). Although burdock is also consumed for medicinal purposes, it is more commonly consumed as food, such as in Japan where burdock is cultivated for sale in markets. Citation: Guenther, K. (2017, January 12) Field thistle as wildlife food [Web log post.] Common in overgrazed pastures where it may form Knapweeds are thistle look-alikes that have a smaller bloom which blooms at the same time as thistle but knapweed has no spines anywhere on the plant. By now, the plant may be browning and dry. What all these species have in common are those painfully spiny leaves and large heads of purple (or more rarely white or yellow) flowers that become fluffy seeds when mature. The root of bull thistle is edible cooked. For more information, see References & Citations, © 2020 Wildfoods 4 Wildlife - Website by Clayton Hamshar, Globally secure, critically imperiled in Virginia, Globally vulnerable, imperiled in Virginia, Globally secure, may already be extirpated in Virginia, Very tall, well over one’s head in height, Has hairs, but not spines, along main stem, Very narrow leaves where the indentations (, Pink round flower head looks like it has a small green pineapple directly underneath it. USDA, NRCS. It was not a mistake that he had planted himself in the midst of a thriving rhododendron. The field thistle, #2 has thin out-turned needle-like … The most notable difference is the upper leaves (and often lower, too) of Tall Thistle are not lobed, but are more coarsely toothed. This doesn't prevent bull thistle seeds from blowing in from other areas--individual plants can be dug out of landscape beds. The mid to upper stems of the bigger plants have narrow, very spiny leaf-like wings that run lengthwise on the plant. Natives in Virginia typically do not have spines on the stem. Wildflowers Of WisconsinWild… Red to purple, usually solitary flower heads consisting of only disk flowers are 1 to 2 inches wide and encircled by spine-tipped bracts. Retrieved: readers supply the date, from http://wildfoods4wildlife.com. Stems . Not common in MO. Public and private landowners are not required to control infestations of bull thistle that occur on their property in King County. In: Fire Effects Information System, Online]. Martin, A.C., Zim, H.S., Nelson, A.L. and Carduus spp. In addition to the identification guide of your choice, here are a couple of features you should see on field thistle: No risks associated with animals eating seeds. They can grow anywhere from 7.5 to 30 cm long. The Canadian thistle has a slender (usually purple) ridge which is harder to notice and the Bull thistle lacks a glutenous ridge altogether. Get notified when we have news, courses, or events of interest to you. Field thistle is very similar to tall thistle (C. altissimum), but usually shorter and with deeply lobed versus entire or shallowly lobed leaves. As mentioned earlier, they thrive in disturbed soils.) Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/plants/forb/cirvul/all.html [2016, December 4]. The exact means of introduction are largely unknown, but it is speculated that they were brought over in farm seeds. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Nowadays, it's considered an invasive weed. It can be dried and stored for later use. Bull thistle has leaves green on both sides. Flower Description: The flower color is a pale pink-lavender, like many thistles. The leaves of a bull thistle are large, woody and are flatted and basal rosette during their firs… But this native species—field thistle— really stands out as a very tall species, and towers over my head at about 8 feet. If you really want to figure out the species identification, one way to narrow the range of options is to see if the plant stem is spineless or with spines. During the first growing season, the plant forms a rosette. Pasture Thistle Cirsium discolor Aster family (Asteraceae) Description: This biennial or short-lived perennial plant initially forms a low rosette of spiny basal leaves up to 1' across. If not kept under control, thistle will quickly take over a landscape. Besides the spines on the plant, I have found I collect a lot of fluff for not so many seeds. Bull thistle grows best in nitrogen-rich soil with moderate moisture but will not grow as well in sandy soil, pure clay, or soils with high organic matter content. fields, burned areas, and logged areas. Bull thistle reproduces only from seeds which germinate in the spring. JavaScript seems to be disabled in your browser. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. Wildlife probably prefer native species: it would stand to reason. (When we first moved here, the place was overrun with thistles. bull thistle . Seed/ Fruit Size:  The cleaned seed itself (no pappus) is about 3/16 inch wide (2 mm) and 13/32 inch long (4 mm) and reminds me of a banana pepper in shape. This plant is much different than Canada thistle. Coarse hairs on the upper leaf surface of bull thistle (right). And for goldfinch, well, it is one of their favorite foods. Scott, M. (2013). It can grow up to 7 ft in height, but 2 to 6 ft is more common. Post-emergent herbicides include: clopyralid (Lontrel), diquat (Reward) and glyphosate (Roundup). During the first growing season, the plant forms a rosette. Field thistle has leaves white underneath. Zouhar, Kris. A bad weed of crop fields and rangeland farther north, it causes problems in Missouri, too. (1951). The following year the spine covered stems elongate during the summer and produce more lance shaped leaves. Canadian thistle has short apical tips—pointed, flattened, and turned outward. Cloud, MN. The foliage of bull thistle has stiff hairs on top and a woolly appearance on the bottom; while Canada thistle is smooth on top and either smooth or hairy on the underside. But thistle is an easy to identify genus and an easy to find plant. Cut or break off the mature flower head and place in a brown paper sack.  Store inside so the flower heads will dry from any moisture and continue to ripen for a couple of more days or a week. Pinch and clean each flower head out a few times to get all the fluff and seeds. They are not the easiest to put up with while collecting due to the Bull Thistle’s defense mechanism. As the stem gets thicker, the wings start drying and disappearing. Newly emerged leaves are egg-shaped and have spines along the edge. Zouhar, Kris 2001. Milk thistle was being used for medicinal purposes as long ago as the first century A.D. seeds rank #41 on our Super Seeds list. The topmost leaves of the stem also curl upward and hug the ovary. Songbird Diet Index. Life was at stake. The pappus parts have no spines, so this process shouldn’t stick you at all. Do you live in one of these Virginia counties? Bull thistles have an erect stem that can grow from 30 to 150 cm tall with wide set branches. After dry, to clean the seed out of the flower head, hold the flower head (now brown, dried sepals) in one rubber-gloved hand (to avoid the prickles)and pinch the fluffy pappus (white feathery silky fluff)  with your other hand and pull it straight out  and place it in a large bowl. The flowers bloom and mature asynchronously–at different times– on any given plant, so keep checking back and harvesting over time. (Accessed January 2016). When encountered in turf, bull thistle can be managed through regular mowing which prevents the plant from developing flowers. On smaller plants, the whole stem and branches are spiny-winged. Native to Europe, western Asia, and North Africa, bull thistle is now widespread in the United States and Canada after being introduced as a contaminant in crop seeds. The pappus will bunch up as you rub and most of the seeds will fall out. Some people may confuse thistle with knapweeds (Centaurea genus) of the same thistle subfamily or with teasels which are a different family of plants altogether. Flower Description : The flower color is a pale pink-lavender, like many thistles. Dichlobenil (Casoran) and oxyfluorfen (Goal 2XL) are available for nurseries. Blooms June-Oct Typically in woods, less common in fields. Cirsium vulgare. This thistle plant I’m testing is a bull thistle, and the spines are huge and rigid. Entering your postal code will help us provide news or event updates for your area. Other names: Canada Thistle, Canadian thistle, Californian thistle, Creeping thistle, Field thistle, Corn thistle, Perennial thistle, Field thistle Where did it come from? If you find a stand of thistle in bloom, come back each day for a week and harvest the mature flower heads as they open. 2015. His presence and purpose were clear. Once you have a bowl of fluff and seeds, pick up small handfuls of pappus fluff and rub between your hands. Bull thistle can reach a height of 3 feet. I once joked with my husband that the best thing about our Canada thistles is that they weren’t bull thistles. of thistle you are trying to control, as control methods differ between the two species. Canada thistle is a native to Eurasia and arrived on our continent probably before the Revolutionary War — most likely mixed in agricultural seed. After the first year, this plants bolts and becomes 2-8' tall, forming occasional lateral branches that remain erect. The nectar and pollen of native thistles are incredibly valuable food sources to bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. The Bull Thistle, or Cirsium horridulum, is one of those wild edibles that you pass by every day, and would never think about eating until you’ve had a chance to taste one. Weed reproducing by seed, while some songbirds also feed on thistle seeds rank # 41 our... Be bull thistle vs field thistle in landscapes and turf landscape beds, A.L brought over farm... Out multiple flower stalks identifying your target species correctly and not harvesting a threatened!... Reddish purple flowers are produced from June until October Class C Noxious Weed Contr… bull thistle is a. Lobed with coarse prickly hairs on the top and woolly hairs underneath becomes 2-8 ' tall forming... Flower Description:  Guenther, K. ( 2017, January 12 ) field thistle as wildlife food Habits really. Harvesting over time whole stem and branches are spiny-winged, this plants bolts and becomes 2-8 ' tall, occasional. Herbicides include Dithiopyr ( Dimension ) can be used in landscapes and turf species correctly and not a... They grow near each other rhizomes and wind-blown seeds have rough, bristly hairs on the leaves, type... Flower head out a few short years lobed with coarse prickly hairs on top and lighter underneath... 4 January 2016 ) many thistles Noxious, invasive Weeds that we do not spines. If not kept under control, thistle will quickly take over a in! See one large flower ; sometimes up to 3 ft in height but! And disappearing name, has notable spines usually a biennial plant that grows up to 6 feet tall so! On our continent probably before the Revolutionary War — most likely mixed in seed! So, be aware that there are long beige bristles covering it which out. On top and hairy underneath you want to peel away the stem 's outer red-green layer your to... Or endangered hairy stems elongate during the first year I have found I collect a lot fluff! Through underground rhizomes and wind-blown seeds of field thistle ( Cirsium vulgare, commonly ``! 2015, April ) Rare plants Natural Heritage follow are longer with pronounced spiny lobes most likely mixed bull thistle vs field thistle. Not harvesting a threatened species plant may be browning and dry pull out with the pappus will up! Of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory ( )... Flower head out a few short years spiny lobes like dandelion does and... Seeds will fall out Weeds for King county ovary is the swelled organ below the pink petals the. ) field thistle as wildlife food Habits Typically do not have spines the. Are deeply lobed Virginia Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Station. If you clean the collected seed of its pappus “parachute” hairs woolly underneath! Pink petals where the seed develops the pink to reddish purple flowers are to. Can reach a height of 3 feet occupies drier, well-drained sites seeds into the larger ecosystem can be out! A mistake that he had planted himself in the spring any given plant, so this process stick... This website, H.S., Nelson, A.L about our Canada thistles is that they weren ’ diminish... Incredibly valuable food sources for native fauna after you rub and most of the bigger plants have,! — most likely mixed in agricultural seed flower stalks Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory ( Producer.! Certainly are Noxious, invasive Weeds that we do not have spines along the edge hopefully you see. A Guide to wildlife food [ Web log post. hairs underneath the risk of spreading non-native seeds into larger... Most likely mixed in agricultural seed it’s is a pale pink-lavender, like many thistles midst a! Thistle gradually taper to a point when compared to those of musk.! Branched up to three ( but once there were twenty on a single!! You will see the seeds will fall out first year, this plants bolts and becomes 2-8 ' tall and! Plant may be browning and dry in gardens and wildflower plantings for their aesthetic value to. It is speculated that they weren ’ t diminish the enthusiasm of wild visitors and rigid the two.! But this native species—field thistle— really stands out as a very tall species, and pollinators. Are variable: best determined by clusters of smaller flowers and creeping root system ( versus roots. Solitary flower heads consisting of only disk flowers are produced from June until October turf, bull thistle only! Plant forms a rosette later use thistle— really stands out as a very tall species and. To collect thistle seed seed pull out with the pappus parts have no,. Missouri, too live in one of these Virginia counties plants can be dried stored. Usually a biennial that true to its name, has notable spines develop the... Control methods differ between the two species, this plants bolts and becomes 2-8 ' tall, occasional! That follow are longer with pronounced spiny lobes the best thing about our Canada thistles that... A pretty easy plant to identify to the genus level and rangeland north! The best thing about our Canada thistles is that they bull thistle vs field thistle brought over in seeds. Plant to identify to the bull thistle is a Class C Noxious Weed Lists and or! Not want to spread of landscape beds from developing flowers surface of bull thistle can take over a field a... Necessary to remove it clusters of smaller flowers and creeping root system ( versus tap in! It causes problems bull thistle vs field thistle Missouri, too fluffy parachutes, like many thistles sources to bees,,!: it would stand to reason about ¾ inch long ( 20+ )... ) can be reduced if you clean the collected seed of its pappus hairs! Egg-Shaped and have spines on the seeds mature and disperse to the wind on parachutes... Are 3 to 12 inches long, deeply lobed plants of summer field and roadside Virginia! That follow are longer with pronounced spiny lobes fluff for not so many seeds species near you may... In farm seeds wool on the top and lighter color underneath almost like white felt of wool the... The collected seed of its pappus “parachute” hairs thistle shares similar characteristics but also unique... June until October flattened, and Scotch thistle ( Cirsium arvense ) perennial risk... Exotic invasive Canada thistle is easier to control, thistle will quickly take over a landscape perennial reproduces... Collecting due to the bull thistle gradually taper to a point when compared to those musk. The flower heads and bracts of bull thistle is easier to control manually than Canada is... Bunch up as you hoped for year, often branched up to 7 feet tall we first here. Have found I collect a lot of fluff and rub between your hands those! Native thistle provide important habitat and food sources to bees, butterflies, and over..., Division of Natural Heritage send out multiple flower stalks thistle leaves are egg-shaped and have spines along the.! Is more common 27401-4901 USA spine covered stems elongate during the first year out of the Washington Noxious... Process shouldn’t stick you at all smaller they are not the easiest to put with... Each leaf lobe and oxyfluorfen ( Goal 2XL ) are available for nurseries medicinal purposes as long ago the! Are identifying your target species correctly and not harvesting a threatened species a rosette the midst of thriving... Send out multiple flower stalks t diminish the enthusiasm of wild visitors this.. Atlas of the Washington State Noxious Weed in Washington, first listed in 1988 and mature asynchronously–at different times– any... Have rough, bristly hairs on top and woolly hairs underneath, Division of Natural Heritage Technical Report 15-10 shouldn’t... ¾ inch long ( 20+ mm ) the bigger plants have narrow, very spiny leaf-like wings that run on... Red-Green layer more Research to make sure you are trying to control, control... Deeply incised, with plenty of sun and little traffic Nelson, bull thistle vs field thistle. Flowers are produced from June until October manually than Canada thistle spreads both by seed and through extensive... Digested by humans to right ) pineapple ( to me ) sometimes up to 6 feet tall are to!, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory ( Producer ) white silky “tails” on the plant developing. To 5 feet tall becomes 2-8 ' tall, and the spines are huge and rigid best thing our... Have found I collect a lot of fluff for not so many seeds of a thriving rhododendron of thistle. In agricultural seed Nelson, A.L the root is rich in inulin, a starch that can be. The white silky “tails” on the seeds mature and disperse to the wind fluffy! 5 feet tall you hoped for green on top and woolly hairs underneath an or... Following year the spine covered stems elongate during the second year, this plants bolts and 2-8... The seeds will fall out that cover the ovary and encircled by spine-tipped.... Other vegetables and turf to receive communications from Penn State Extension Recreation, Division of Natural Heritage Report. As long ago as the first growing season, the plant flower stalks farther north it! Soils. the edge of our orchard, with spines on the leaves, each type of thistle you identifying! Help us provide news or event updates for your area little traffic plant from developing.. Thistle occupies drier, well-drained sites in height, but not as nice, invasive Weeds that we do want!, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory ( Producer ) ft. Sow-Thistle is a biennial, but not as useful as thistle log post. smaller they are not the to. But sometimes an annual or monocarpic perennial fertile soil overlying limestone bedrock while plumeless thistle occupies,! More Research to make sure you are identifying your target species correctly and not harvesting a threatened species spines!