Noxious Weeds of Nebraska

Musk thistle (carduus nutans L.) is an introduced invasive broadleaf weed native to Europe, North Africa and Asia.

Although classified as a biennial plant, opportunistic might be a better descriptor because musk thistle can behave as an annual or a winter annual depending on the growing conditions. ALthough it regenerates only from seed, seedlings can emerge any time during the growing season.

Musk thistle is a prolific seed producer. Large, extensively branched plants in sparse stands may have 100 or more heads with a total production of about 20,000 seeds.

Control methods include cultural, mechanical, biological and chemical.