Yellow Star Thistle

Life Cycle

·         Annual

Growth Habit

·      

·         Erect, up to 5-feet tall

Plant Emergence

·         Seedlings in early spring

·         Flowers late May / June until frost

Characteristics

·         Deeply tap-rooted; reproduces by seed

·         Stiff, wiry, winged stems

·         3/4" yellow flowers covered with spines

·         Toxic to horses; causes "chewing disease"

 

Control

·         Grazing, mowing, burning, pulling, digging can be effective prior to seed production

·         Apply Milestone; 2,4-D; Curtail; Banvel; or Tordon to actively growing plants before flowering