INRS State Scientific Surveys
Description
Canada thistle is a 2 to 5 foot (0.6 to 1.5 meters) tall forb with deep, wide
spreading, horizontal roots. The grooved, slender stems branch only at the top
and are slightly hairy when young, becoming covered with hair as the plant
grows. The oblong, tapering, sessile leaves are deeply divided, with prickly
margins. Leaves are green on both sides with a smooth or slightly downy lower
surface. Numerous small, compact (3/4 inch or 1.9 cm. diameter), rose-purple or
white flowers appear on upper stems from June to September. Seeds are small
(3/16 inch or 0.5 cm long), light brown, smooth and slightly tapered, with a
tuft of tan hair loosely attached to the tip.
Similar Species
Canada thistle is distinguished from other thistles (Cirsium spp.) by its
deep-running perennial rootstocks, more slender stems, and small compact heads.
Canada thistle should be accurately identified before attempting any control
measures. If identification of the species is in doubt, the plant's identity
should be confirmed by a knowledgeable individual and/or by consulting
appropriate books.
Distribution
Canada thistle, which is naturalized from Europe, occurs throughout the northern
U.S. east of the Rocky Mountains. It is common in the northern half of Illinois
and rare in the southern half. This species is very rare in southern Indiana
and is not a serious problem in Missouri natural areas.
Habitat
Canada thistle does best in disturbed areas (overgrazed pastures, old fields,
waste places, fence rows, along roadsides). It sometimes occurs in wet areas
where water levels fluctuate (along stream banks and ditches). It can invade
sedge meadows and wet prairies from adjacent disturbed sites. This thistle does
not do well in undisturbed prairies, good to excellent pastures, or in woodland.
Plants are tall and lax, with few flowers, on sites that are shaded most of the
day.
Life History
This dioecious, weedy perennial occurs in patches, commonly in disturbed areas.
Introduction to new areas occurs mostly by windborn seed or sometimes by run-off
in ditches. It spreads rapidly by rhizomes or root segments. Lateral roots 3 or
more feet deep spread from a fibrous taproot. Aerial shoots are sent up at 2 to
6 inch intervals. Basal leaves are produced the first year, flowering stems the
next. Pollination is mostly by honeybees, and wind pollination is limited. Most
seeds germinate within one year. Some seeds immediately produce rosettes before
winter and emerge to flower the next spring. Seeds remain viable in soil up to
20 years in some cases. Emergence occurs in early May, with vertical growth in
mid-to-late June. As frequency of Canada thistle increases at a site, species
diversity decreases, possibly due to allelopathic substances.
Effects Upon Natural Areas
Canada thistle is an alien species capable of crowding out and replacing native
grasses and forbs. It is detrimental to natural areas where it occurs,
particularly non-forested communities, and it can change the natural structure
and species composition where it becomes well-established. Prairies, barrens,
savannas, and glades are susceptible, particularly those sites that have been
disturbed and are reverting naturally to native species, as well as those
undergoing manipulative restoration management.
Current Status
Canada thistle is a noxious weed under Illinois law.
RECOMMENDED PRACTICES IN NATURAL COMMUNITIES OF HIGH QUALITY
Prescribed fire can be effective in controlling this species and is a preferred
treatment. Late spring burns, between May and June, are most detrimental to this
noxious weed and should be used when possible. Prescribed burns to control this
plant should not be conducted early in the spring, as early spring burns can
increase sprouting and reproduction of this species. During the first 3 years of
control efforts, burns should be conducted annually.
Management practices that maintain and encourage the development of healthy
stands of native species will help prevent establishment of Canada thistle or
help shade and weaken plants on sites already infested.
Repeated and frequent pulling or hand-cutting of individual plants will
eventually starve underground stems. Cutting or pulling should be at least 3
times each season, in June, August, and September. This treatment is feasible for light and moderate infestations, but may be relatively time consuming in heavy infestations.
Spot application of the amine formulation of 2,4-D according to label
instructions can control this plant. Individual plants of Canada thistle should
be treated with a wick applicator or hand sprayer. The herbicide 2,4-D amine is
selective for broadleaf plants. To reduce vapor drift, use an amine formulation
of 2,4-D rather than an ester formulation. Precautions should be taken to avoid
contacting nontarget plants with the solution. Do not spray so heavily that
herbicide drips off the target species. The herbicide should be applied while
backing away from the areas to avoid walking through the wet herbicide. By law,
herbicides may only be applied as per label instructions and by licensed
herbicide applicators or operators when working on public properties.
RECOMMENDED PRACTICES ON BUFFER AND SEVERELY DISTURBED SITES
Control procedures recommended above for high quality natural communities are
also applicable to buffer and severely disturbed sites. Additional control
measures are as follows. On large sites (old fields, ditch banks, roadsides)
with heavy infestations, thistles should be mowed when in full bloom, and as
close to the ground as possible. Cut flower-heads should be removed to prevent
scattering seeds on site. Repeated mowing may be needed for several years to
obtain adequate control.
A foliar application of a 1-2% solution of Roundup (a formulation of glyphosate)
applied in spring when plants are 6-10 inches (15.2 -25.4 cm) tall is an
effective herbicide treatment. Individual plants should be spot-treated with a
wick applicator. Roundup normally kills the entire plant, including the roots,
when applied in this manner. Roundup is a nonselective herbicide and
precautions should be taken to avoid contacting nontarget plants with the
solution. Do not spray so heavily that herbicide drips off the target species.
As with 2,4-D amine, Roundup should be applied while backing away from the areas
to avoid walking through the wet herbicide. Roundup should not be used in
high-quality natural areas during the growing season because of the possibility
of harming nontarget plants.
On severely disturbed sites with heavy infestations, such as cropland or
abandoned cropland, the site could be plowed and sowed to a cover crop (wheat,
alfalfa, rye), if practical and desirable. The following May, the cover crop
should be plowed under and desired native species should be seeded.
Fire early in the growing season can increase sprouting and reproduction.
Prescribed burns in late spring are effective, as discussed previously.
Tillage disturbance of soil may provide ideal conditions for reinvasion and for
introduction of other exotics.
Grazing is not an effective control measure as the prickles prevent livestock
from grazing near Canada thistle.
Blatchely, W. S. 1930. The Indiana weed book. The Nature Publishing Co., Indianapolis, Indiana. 191 pp.
Evans, J. E. 1984. Canada thistle (Cirsium arvense): a literature review of management practices. Natural Areas Journal. 4(2):11-21.
Gleason, H. A. 1952. The new Britton and Brown illustrated flora of the northeastern United States and adjacent Canada. The New York Botanical Garden. New York. Vol. 3. 595 pp.
Mohlenbrock R. H. 1986. Guide to the vascular flora of Illinois. Southern Illinois University Press, Carbondale. 507 pp.
Moore, R. J. 1975. The biology of Canadian weeds: 13 Cirsium arvense (L.) Scop. Pp. 146-161 in G. Mulligan, ed., The biology of Canadian weeds, contributions 1-32. Information Services, Agriculture Canada, Ottawa, Ontario.
Phillips Petroleum Company. 1956. Undesirable grasses and forbs. Section 3 of series. Bartlesville, Oklahoma. 25 pp.
United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service. 1970. Selected Weeds of the United States. Agricutural Handbook No. 366. U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington D.C.
University of Illinois Agriculture Experiment Station. 1954. Weeds of north central states. North Central Regional Publication No. 36, Circular 718. University of Illinois Agriculture Experiment Station, Urbana. 239 pp.
University of Illinois Agriculture Experiment Station. 1984. Row crop weed control guide. University of Illinois Agriculture Experiment Station and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Champaign-Urbana. 16 pp.
Kurz, Don. 1988. Natural History Section, Missouri Department of Conservation, Jefferson City, Missouri.
McFall, Don. 1988. Division of Natural Heritage, Illinois Department of Conservation, Springfield, Illinois.
Olson, Steve. 1988. Division of Nature Preserves, Indiana Department of Natural Resources, Tell City, Indiana.
Packard, Steve. 1989. The Nature Conservancy, Chicago, Illinois.
Schwegman, John. E. 1988. Division of Natural Heritage, Illinois Department of Conservation, Springfield, Illinois.
Stritch, Larry. 1988. United States Forest Service, Shawnee National Forest, Harrisburg, Illinois.
Written for the Illinois Nature Preserves Commission by:
Max Hutchison
Natural Land Institute
R.R. 1
Belknap, Illinois 62908