Canada Thistle
Cirsium arvense
Description
State Noxious Weed. Height to 4 ft. Foliage irregularly and sharply lobed; margins with short spines. Compound pink to purple flowers in clusters; smaller than other thistles; flowers June to August.
Habitat
Found in a wide variety of habitats; rangeland, cropland, roadsides, and edges of waterways.
Location in Nebraska
Widely dispersed across Nebraska.
Pathway of Introduction and Spread
Originally from Eurasia and North Africa. Spreads up to a half a mile by wind, water, and wildlife; introduction and spread as a seed contaminant.
Impacts
Multi-million dollar losses in crop production due to competition. Releases toxic substances into the soil which inhibits growth of some plants. Competes with native vegetation.
NEBRASKAland Magazine/Nebraska Game and Parks Commission
“Weeds of the Great Plains”-Nebraska Department of Agriculture