Canada Thistle

Life Cycle

• Perennial

Growth Habit

• Upright, up to 4-feet tall with creeping-root system; reproduces by seed and root

Plant Emergence

• Seedlings emerge in late April to May forming rosettes; flowers late spring to early summer

Characteristics

• Very erect plant with shiny, spined leaves
• Seeds are viable for up to 22 years
• 3/4" purple flower
• Flower matures in late summer into dandelion-like white "puffball" which spreads the seed in the breeze

Control

• Repeated mowing, tilling, cutting or hand removal prior to seed production can provide suppression
• Successful treatment will require several years
• Apply Tordon, Milestone, or Curtail to growing plants through flowering
• Repeated applications of 2,4-D, Banvel, or Roundup to actively growing plants