The inflorescence of musk thistle is 1-2 inches in diameter. |
The spines that cover nearly every part of this plant make it truly worthy of the Identifying Noxious Weeds of Ohio "noxious." |
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Habitat: pastures, meadows and wasteland including roadsides
Life cycle: biennial
First Year Growth Habit: A basal rosette. Leaves are waxy and pale green with few hairs.
Second Year Growth Habit: large, coarse, branched plant that can grow up to 9 feet
Leaves: 3-6 inches long, alternate, spiny, deeply lobed, long and narrow
Stem: stems covered with dense, short hairs and spines
Inflorescence: June - October. Purple thistle-like flowers, 1-2 inches in diameter, with spiny-tipped bracts surrounding inflorescence. Often the flower heads droop or nod.
Fruit: white or tan pappus
Similar plants: In the first year of growth, musk thistle may resemble bull thistle (Cirsium vulgare). However, the leaves of bull thistle are covered with hairs. Musk thistle is also referred to as nodding thistle.
The problem is.... This prickly weed reduces the quality of grazing land. It has spread quickly throughout much of the Midwest, but is not yet common in Ohio. Avoid handling without gloves.
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The inflorescence of musk thistle is 1-2 inches in diameter. |
The spines that cover nearly every part of this plant make it truly worthy of the Identifying Noxious Weeds of Ohio "noxious." |
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