Cirsium arvense (weed)
| Literature database |
|---|
| 296 articles sorted by: |
| • year (descending) |
| • research topics |
| • countries/regions |
| • affected crops |
| • list of natural enemies |
Author: Richard Bartz
Source:Wikimedia Commons
Cirsium arvense (weed) (Linnaeus) Scop. - (Canada thistle)
This is an important weed in North America and Europe which affects crops like cereals, soybean or alfalfa. It is also a serious environmental weed in various open habitats and is common in rangelands and pastures. The species is believed to be native to the Mediterranean region and western Asia, but now has a nearly worldwide distribution. It forms dense stands which cause substantial crop losses. At a density of 10-20 shoots per m2 yield losses have been estimated at 10-20% in wheat and approach 50% in alfalfa. Additional damage results from contaminations by the seeds. In autumn, dried plants become a fire hazard.
Canada thistle spreads through its seeds which disperse by wind and farm equipment as well as through its horizontal rhizomes (up to 6 m in diameter). Female plants can produce 2-5 thousand seeds. These survive in the soil for up to 20 year. Control can be difficult, due to the extensive root system of the plant and its ability to reproduce from small root fragments. Management options include mowing, controlled burning, frequent cultivation of the infested area and the use of herbicides.
| Vernacular names | |
|---|---|
| • Deutsch: | Acker-Kratzdistel |
| • English: | Canada thistle creeping thistle Californian thistle |
| • Español: | cardo cundidor |
| • Français: | chardon des champs |
The plant grows to a height of 50-150 cm. It is diecious, which means male and female flowers occur on separate plants. The leaves are glossy and have irregular lobes with strong spines at the tips, up to 5 mm long. Stems and flowerheads are not spiny. The flowerheads are small (compared to other thistles) and have a diameter of 1-2 cm, with pinkish (sometimes whitish) to purple flowers. The seeds are 4-5 mm long with a large feathery pappus.
For details see the respective page in BugwoodWiki.
- Other images of Cirsium arvense (IPM Images and Wikimedia Commons - click to enlarge)
seeds
seeds
infestation
infestation of barley field in Norway
infestation
