BULL THISTLES
How to Identify Bull Thistles:
Leaves: First-year basal rosette leaves can be 20” long or
longer. Stem leaves are
alternate, stalkless, lance-shaped, and coarsely lobed; lobes are tipped with stout spines. Musk smooth and hairless on both sides. Plumeless
- smooth above, hairy below.
Bull - spiny above, white woolly
hair below.
Flowers:
Flower heads are brush-like, pink
to purple, single or clustered at end of stem.
Musk - 1.5-3”across; solitary; usually bent over or
“nodding” on smooth stalk. Plumeless and
bull - 0.5-1”
and 1.5-2” across
respectively; on winged stems;
bracts with spiny tips. All bloom May-August.
Control:
•Manual/Mechanical: Use sharp shovel to cut 1-2” below the soil surface. Mow (minimum 2-3 times per growing season) when flower buds are about to open to prevent seed production. The roots ball of thistles can be easily dug out after rain.
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