Canada Thistle
(Cirsium arvense)
Herbaceous perennial, 2-6.5’ tall with upright, grooved stems that branch near the top of the plant. The stems are hairy.
Other names for this plant include:
- Common names: creeping thistle, field thistle, perennial thistle
- Scientific names: Carduus arvensis; Cirsium incanum
Ecological threat:
- It invades undisturbed areas such as prairies, savannas, glades, dunes, streambanks, sedge meadows and forest openings. It also invades croplands, pastures, lawns, gardens, roadsides, ditches and waste sites.
- Once it has established it spreads quickly, forming monocultures.