What is this thistle plant, and how do I use or remove it
I have many of these plants (weeds) in my backyard and they have thorns. How do I take them out of the yard while it is hard to use the lawnmower over them? I researched online to see if it was beneficial and it said it was part of the "thistle" family and it is beneficial to eat but I do not know how, while they did mention a lot of times to be sure to stay covered from the plant while it may cause dermatitis. :-/ I would like to find a way to get these types of weeds out of my yard and in a way to find them beneficial in other ways. Here is a photo of the weed.
some type of thistle??? how can i take it out of the yard safely?
Posted by: Roseann Sorrentino
(3 points)
Posted: April 24, 2013
Answers
Canada thistle (Cirsium arvense) - may also be referred to as creeping thistle. This is a perennial species of thistle and can reach up to 1.5 m in height if you let it. This variety of thistle will flower with globular purple-pink, or less commonly, white heads (see image) and develops an extensive, spreading root system.
You are correct in saying that this plant is edible. You can eat the leaves cooked like spinach or fresh in salads, but you will obviously have to trim the spines off first. The most prized part of the plant is the stem which can be eaten after removing the spines and peeling. You will have to handle the plant while wearing thick gloves though and as it is the spines that are irritants then you will probably be fine once those are removed.
Additional Info:
http://www.wildflowers-and-weeds.com/...
You are correct in saying that this plant is edible. You can eat the leaves cooked like spinach or fresh in salads, but you will obviously have to trim the spines off first. The most prized part of the plant is the stem which can be eaten after removing the spines and peeling. You will have to handle the plant while wearing thick gloves though and as it is the spines that are irritants then you will probably be fine once those are removed.
Additional Info:
http://www.wildflowers-and-weeds.com/...
Flower head of Canada thistle
Useful fact sheet (click for link)
Posted by: Lindsay McMenemy
(3 points)
Posted: April 24, 2013
Thistle is a very beneficial plant for pollinators. Bees, flies, beetles, and butterflies all like the nectar of the thistle flowers. We have these all over our yard here in Maine. We try to tolerate them when they pop up in out-of-the-way spots, but they've even taken to growing all around the backdoor....
Thistles are one of those resilient plants that you'll have to come after again and again. It's a war--not a battle. I use a sharp pair of long pruning clippers and a rugged pair of work-gloves. Clip the plant as close to the ground as you can get, then pick it up with your protected hands to dispose of. I would strongly recommend avoiding Round-Up and other such systemic pesticides, which kill indiscriminately, and toxins can drift to other plants.
Here is a great resource to check out: http://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant...
Thistles are one of those resilient plants that you'll have to come after again and again. It's a war--not a battle. I use a sharp pair of long pruning clippers and a rugged pair of work-gloves. Clip the plant as close to the ground as you can get, then pick it up with your protected hands to dispose of. I would strongly recommend avoiding Round-Up and other such systemic pesticides, which kill indiscriminately, and toxins can drift to other plants.
Here is a great resource to check out: http://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant...
Posted by: Samantha Burns
(15 points)
Posted: April 25, 2013
Roseann Sorrentino commented,
thank you. I have picked almost all of them and forgot about the really big one. The bees came around for them for the last two weeks and I just grabbed them out yesterday. No plans on ever using pesticides or herbicides. So no worries on that.
about 10 years ago.
I just wanted to chime in and say that this may or may not be Canada thistle, so be wary of eating it. Sprouts of Canada thistle (it being a perennial) are generally more up-right and less prostrate on the ground like your image. I think it is possible that instead of being a Cirsium species (i.e. Canada thistle is Cirsium arvense), this is a Carduus species (biennial). Carduus species grow over a two year period generally. The first year looks just like the picture you have, and is called a rosette stage. The second year is the flowering year, where they grow upwards and put out blooms. The anatomy of the leaves relative to the Canada thistle I have seen also makes me think it might be a Carduus species. At this stage it is impossible to tell which Carduus it is (floral anatomy is likely needed for that). I have not read anything about being able to eat Carduus species leaves, so please do check on that before you prepare them as food.
Here are a few images of Canada thistle emerging from the ground:
http://www.oardc.ohio-state.edu/weedg...
You can see they are more upright than your specimen.
An example of a common Carduus species
http://www.nd.gov/ndda/files/resource...
This may not be the species you have, but the anatomy of the rosette is closer.
Both Cirsium and Carduus genera have many invasive species, so you probably want to destroy the seed heads before they go to seed if you decide to keep it around for the pollinators (which do enjoy the flowers).
Here are a few images of Canada thistle emerging from the ground:
http://www.oardc.ohio-state.edu/weedg...
You can see they are more upright than your specimen.
An example of a common Carduus species
http://www.nd.gov/ndda/files/resource...
This may not be the species you have, but the anatomy of the rosette is closer.
Both Cirsium and Carduus genera have many invasive species, so you probably want to destroy the seed heads before they go to seed if you decide to keep it around for the pollinators (which do enjoy the flowers).
Posted by: Kerry Mauck
(58 points)
Posted: April 26, 2013
Try high-concentration acetic acid (very strong vinegar). Research shows it works! http://1.usa.gov/15XkVbD My daughter and son-in-law got rid of a large swath of Canada thistle on their property in Maryland using 20% vinegar in a backpack sprayer.
There are a number of commercially available products that are probably registered as herbicides in your state. Ask at garden centers. It's acceptable for organic growers.
The vinegar dissipates quickly and won't alter soil pH, so you can plant directly into the sprayed areas (though it'd probably be a good idea to put down a layer of black plastic or cardboard and grow squash or melons there this season; give it a whole growing season to prevent last year's seeds from germinating.)
Warning: 15%-20% acetic acid can burn, so spray on a windless day, wear skin and eye protection, and keep the product locked up away from children.
There are a number of commercially available products that are probably registered as herbicides in your state. Ask at garden centers. It's acceptable for organic growers.
The vinegar dissipates quickly and won't alter soil pH, so you can plant directly into the sprayed areas (though it'd probably be a good idea to put down a layer of black plastic or cardboard and grow squash or melons there this season; give it a whole growing season to prevent last year's seeds from germinating.)
Warning: 15%-20% acetic acid can burn, so spray on a windless day, wear skin and eye protection, and keep the product locked up away from children.
Posted by: Peg Boyles
(5 points)
Posted: April 26, 2013
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