Cirsium arvense
CONTROL
Canada thistle (Cirsium arvense) is an aggressive invader in crops, pastures, rangelands, roadsides and river banks. It spreads quickly vegetatively and by wind-borne seeds. Each plant can produce 1500 seeds.
Canada thistle can be identified by its prickly leaves that are similar to holly. It can be distinguished from other thistles because it grows in dense patches, has relatively small seedheads, and has leaves that are not deeply lobed.
Family: Asteraceae (Sunflower).
Other Common Names: Field thistle, Californian thistle.
Origin: Eurasia.
Growth Form / Reproduction: Perennial. Seeds and vegetatively from rhizomes.
Legal Status: Weed Control Act, Forest and Ranges Practices Act, Community Charters Act.
Impacts:
Agricultural: Infests crops, pastures, rangelands, roadsides, and riparian areas.
Ecological: Spreads rapidly from rhizomes that give rise to shoots. Its root system can grow up to 5.5 m annually but usually patches spread about 1-2 m per year. Can form dense patches and virtual monocultures.
Human: Thickets of prickly foliage can restrict recreational access to infested areas.
Habitat:
Adapted to a wide range of soil types, environmental conditions and elevations. Best adapted to rich, heavy loam, clay loam, and sandy loam soils; tolerates slightly saline soils. Partially shade tolerant. Roadsides, pastures, fields, meadows, wetlands; utility corridors, forest edges, logged forests, and forest openings.
Status and Distribution:
Widespread throughout the entire CIPC region. Most common in the CDFmm and CWHmm, present in the CWHvm, CWHvh and CWHdm.
Management Strategy:
Prevention by re-seeding and minimizing soil disturbance. Contain existing populations by repeated mowing, which removes seed heads but plants can re-sprout from extensive root systems. Spring and autumn applications of clopyralid or dicamba/2,4-D mix can be effective on small patches. Two biocontrol agents are available for larger patches. Monitor biocontrol agents released to determine agent status and efficacy.
Repeated mowing can be used to help control Canada thistle by reducing seed set and weakening the plants. Biological control can be an effective method for controlling Canada thistle. Biological control involves the release of predators (usually insects) that attack a target plant to weaken it. These insects are carefully screened by Agriculture Canada to ensure that they only attack the target plant and no other plant species. For more information on biocontrol, see http://www.agf.gov.bc.ca/cropprot/bioweed.htm . The gall fly, Urophora cardui, feeds on the stem of Canada thistle in its larval stage and has established in the region with limited success. The weevil Larinus planus feeds on the flower head, reducing seed production.
Additional Information:
www.weedsbc.ca/weed_desc/canada.htm …
