Musk Thistle, Nodding Plumeless Thistle

This plant is listed on the North Dakota invasive/troublesome list and this information is being distributed in a guide developed by the ...Read MoreND Weed Control Association and other agencies.

Plant Features:
Biennial or winter annual, up to 7 feet tall
First year rosettes up to 2 feet wide
Rose to violet flowers up to 3 inches wide
Flower heads droop or nod
Bracts on flower heads coarse, pinecone-like
Leaf edges spiny
Leaf tips and leaf lobes spine-tipped
Leaves dark green with a light midrib
Fleshy taproot, hollow near ground surface
Branching stems with spiny wings

Distribution
Widespread invasive found on disturbed areas, rangeland, pastures, hay land, and road sides. Most abundant in Northeast ND

Interesting Facts:
Spreads by seeds only
Seeds remain viable up to 10 years
Also known as nodding thistle

Musk Thistle, Nodding Plumeless Thistle Carduus nutans is naturalized in Texas and other States and is considered an invasive plant in Texas.

I was driving a back road one day and noticed a government vehicle driving slowly in the opposite direction. There was a man riding shot...Read More gun spraying these things that grew on the side of the road.
My property was once a cattle grazing land and I get these growing in my lawn. If given the chance they will creep into a flower bed or fence perimeter. I try to pull them from the root with heavy rubber gloves on. They have a long tap root.
Unfortunately, bees and butterflies love these guys.

This plant is listed as a noxious weed by the U. S. federal government or a state, and may be known by one or more common names in differ...Read Moreent places.