Native to southern Europe and western Asia, musk thistle thrives in pastures and rangelands, in waste areas, stream banks, and road sides.
DESCRIPTION
Musk thistle is a biennial or winter annual. Plants 4 to 6 feet tall are common. Deeply lobed spiny leaves are distinguished by a dark green blade with a prominent light green midrib. Stems are spiny and appear winged. Flowers may be violet, purple, or rose colored. Flowers are typically “nodding” or bent over. A tuft of white hairs is attached to each seed, which develops together at maturity and displaces the flowerhead. Bloom is in June and July.
CONTROL
Several biocontrol agents are available and offer good control. Herbicides can offer good to excellent control when applied between rosette and pre-bud stages. Mechanical means can be used for control by chopping the plant off at the ground.