Nodding Thistle

Carduus nutans

  1. Biennial thistle with long tap root; thorny leaves fuse with the stem to create a winged stem; large magenta nodding flower heads on top of slightly branched plant.
  2. Hand pulling or mowing can stop seed set; herbicide control before seed set; biological controls are effective
  3. Saskatchewan Invasive Plant Species Guide
    Identification Guide for Alberta Invasive Plants
    WeedsBMP App BC – iOS | Android

Photos

Steve Dewey, Utah State University, Bugwood.org
(click to view full screen)
L.L. Berry, Bugwood.org
(click to view full screen)
James R. Allison, Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Bugwood.org
(click to view full screen)