Spiny Plumeless Thistle

Also known as Welted thistle.
Attractive biennial thistle native to Europe and Britain, prefers lime rich soils. Grows to 3-4 ft h...Read Moreigh, the whole plant is very spiny with relatively small leaves, except a short length of the stem below the flowerheads but this spineless area of stem is variable from a couple of inches to just a few millimetres.

This plant is listed on the North Dakota invasive/troublesome list and this information is being distributed in a guide developed by the ...Read MoreND Weed Control Association and other agencies.

Plant Features
Winter annual or biennial, can form dense patches
Rosettes can grow up to 4 feet tall, second year plants can grow up to 6 feet tall
Leaves dark green with a light mid-rib on top, bottom of leaves hairy/whitish
Leaves deeply lobed, lobe tips ending in white/yellow spines
Stems with spiny wings on entire length, candelabrum-like shape
Early spring emergence
Abundance of red to purple 3/4 inch flowers
Bracts on flower heads spine-tipped
Large fleshy taproot

Distribution
Documented in several areas, abundant in eastern N.D.
Potential for increasing very high, can grow under most conditions

Interesting Facts:
Spreads by seed only
Introduced as an ornamental

Colorado Class B Noxious Weed. Mandatory eradication in all counties except Eagle, Garfield and Pitkin.
All locations of this pla...Read Morent in Colorado should be immediately reported to the Colorado Department of Agriculture.

The USDA website has this plant listed as a noxious weed in Arkansas and Iowa.