General:Scotch Thistle is considered a biennial herb, but it can behave like an annual or a short-lived perennial depending on the conditions. Rosette First year rosettes are 5 to 12 inches across. The … There can be one to seven flower heads per branch. Kadrmas, T. et al, “Managing Scotch Thistle”, University of Nevada, Fact Sheet 02-57, Schuster, M. and Prather, T. S., “Scotch Thistle”, University of Idaho, PNW 569, USDA / NRCS Plant Profile, “Scotch Thistle, Onopordum acanthium L.”. Plants are usually two to six feet tall but can grow to a height of twelve feet with a width of five feet. Introduced into the United States as an ornamental plant in the 1800s. Scotch thistle, like foxglove, is a biennial. Management of seed production is the key to keep this plant from spreading. Scotch thistle is an aggressive plant which may form stands so dense that they create a natural barrier to livestock. It can also be found in over-grazed sites, roadsides, and riparian areas. Re-treatment is usually necessary 3 to 5 years or until the seed in the soil is exhausted. It is an aggressive plant and may form stands so dense that they are impenetrable to livestock. Scottish thistle is also called cotton thistle or Scott's thistle. Leaves are arranged on an alternate pattern from the stalk and can be twenty inches long. Prevention is the best and cheapest management option. Search “thistle” or “invasive”. The answer may be grazing thistle with sheep and goats, who apparently will eat just about anything. It was introduced as an ornamental in the 1800’s, no doubt by a Scotsman bringing part of his homeland with him. Scotch thistle is a member of the Aster family, Thistle tribe. Biennial thistles, such as musk (Carduus nutans L.), plumeless (Carduus acanthoides L.) and bull thistle [Cirsium vulgare (Savi) Tenore], are not as difficult to control as the perennial thistle species, but spread rapidly and can become severe problems in some areas. Scotch thistle’s tall, spiny stature made it useful as a natural fence in Europe centuries ago. The remainder of the seeds has a water-soluble coating that serves as a germination inhibitor that requires moisture to break dormancy. As one can imagine with any plant that has lots of thorns and spreads easily, Scotch thistle is a serious problem in areas where livestock needs to forage. During the first growing season, Scotch thistle produces a rosette of leaves and fleshy taproot. Only they would select such a pugnacious plant as their national flower. – Cotton thistle, Heraldic thistle, Scotch cotton thistle. Pulling and/or digging up the plants below the crown is effective if there are a few plants. The first time I remember seeing thistle was in Scotland, where it is the national flower. It likes full sun and is extremely adaptable regarding soil type and water requirements. Rosettes can be 6 feet wide and form dense patches. These publications and much more are found at http://extensionpubs.unl.edu/ . The rosette forms the first year … Mowing can be done but will have to be repeated for the regrowth. The rosette is formed the first year, and it flowers during the second growing season. Scotch thistle is a biennial plant, meaning it typically lives two years. It dies after flowering. It is a biennial that was introduced from Europe or eastern Asia and can reach a height of eight feet. It can …. Scotch thistle is the most well-armed plant you will find outside of the deserts of the American southwest. Establishing a dense well-maintained pasture is effective in preventing and competing with a Scotch thistle infestation. Dig out rosettes by severing plant's taproot below the soil's surface. Biennial thistles spread only by seed (achenes) that are produced in great number by all the noxious species, ran… The addition of a non-ionic surfactant to the herbicide mix will aid in control. Scotch thistle is just one of many announcements by nature that summer has arrived. The best time to treat Scotch thistle is when it’s still just a rosette on the ground, then a thorough coating of weed killer is all you need. What are those beautiful purple flowers popping in and out of view as we trundle down the highway? Native to Europe and western Asia, Onopordum acanthium grows four to eight feet tall and is hardy zones 4-8. Mature plants can reach a height of 8-12 feet tall. Error: API requests are being delayed for this account. If you find this weed on your property or around Teton County, please report it immediately at 733-8419. The red maple, Acer rubrum, is one of the great native trees of eastern North America. Onopordum acanthium (cotton thistle, Scotch (or Scottish) thistle) is a flowering plant in the family Asteraceae. Scotch thistle is definitively one of the symbols of Lorraine, a region in Northeastern France. The first year the plant is j… Ask Barrie Find your winter hardiness zone Easy to grow vs. hard to grow plants. I have not counted the number of my seeds myself, but it is clear that even with the different statistics presented Scotch thistle is a highly prolific seed producer. Scotch thistle is found in any type of habitat but normally establishes quickly in disturbed areas dominated by annual plants such as cheatgrass. Cutting it back below ground level will kill it outright. Scotch thistle, like foxglove, is a biennial. Leaves are oblong, lobed with yellow spines. Onopordum acanthium (Cotton thistle) is a flowering plant in the Family Asteraceae. Flowers are purple to white in color. Seeds are small brown to black in color. Interviews with the authors of BeefWatch newsletter articles become available throughout the month of publication and are accessible at https://go.unl.edu/podcast. Flowers. 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