Musk Thistle
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Musk Thistle
Asteraceae (Sunflower Family)
Class B Weed
Musk Thistle Management
Description: Musk thistle is a biennial plant that can act as an annual. It has a thick taproot. The plant is capable of growing up to 8 feet tall. Rosette leaves are dark green with a light green midrib, spiny margin, and deep lobes. Stem leaves extend beyond the stem, moving down, and give the appearance of a winged stem. Flower heads-made up of deep rose, violet, purple, or white flowers-are 1.5 to 3.0 inches in diameter and borne on stem tips, which often nod. These flower heads are subtended by broad-based bracts that have a short spine at the tip. Seed has a pappus to aid in dispersal.
Origin: Southern Europe; entered the U.S. in the early part of the 1900s
Key Characteristics:
- Rosette of basal leaves up to 3 to 4 feet in diameter
- Large, "powder puff" flower head that droops or nods
- Lack of pubescence on the leaves
Distribution: Musk thistle is widespread, ranging from dry open range to mountains. Wherever musk thistle occurs in the state, it is a problem.
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