Canada Thistle Description

Canada thistle is a perennial which disperses by seed and through an underground system of horizontal and vertical roots. Male and female flowers are found on individual plants. The flowers are bristly, pink, and of about half-inch wide and long. Canada Thistle has characteristics which varies based on the their region. They are usually between 3 to 5 feet tall, with smooth leaves on the top surface while the lower surface is woolly. The foliage are well arranged, lobed and with stiff spines. Their seeds stick to a pappus that is cotton-like which facilitates wind dispersal. Their seeds may last up to 20 years in the soil. A seed after germination can produce in a relatively short period of around 6 weeks. Also, a single plant can bring out a lateral root system which can spread as far as 20 feet in just a season. New plants can also spring up from roots that are severed, so cultivation and/or tillage causes wide spread through an area. Canada thistle infestations are majorly reproduced though it’s spreading roots and/or spreading through tillage equipment.

If you have Canada thistle infestation on your land, give SprayTech a call. We will be happy to come out and give you a free estimate on Canada thistle noxious weed control. 720.248.0000.