Musk Thistle Help

In 1998, musk thistle was put on the noxious weed list for all counties in Oklahoma. The law states, "it shall be the duty of every landowner in each county to treat, control or eradicate all Canada, Musk, or Scotch Thistle growing on the landowner’s land every year as shall be sufficient to prevent these thistles from going to seed".

Musk thistle is an invasive thistle, which is usually a biennial. However in Oklahoma’s climate, it sometimes develops like an annual. Musk thistles normally begin the first season as a rosette, then the following spring they begin bolting or sending up a shoot, then flower in May through June. The plants are easily distinguished from other thistles by its silvery leaf margins and absence of hairs or fuzz on the leaves. The stems are stout and erect with spiny lobed wings. The flower is a deep rose to violet color with a noticeable collar of spines or bracts. Flower heads are generally drooping.

Control of musk thistle can be achieved with recommended herbicides during the rosette stage in mid-March to mid-April and September through October. Biological control has been achieved by releasing host specific weevils, which feed on parts of the plant during their development. Mechanical control can also be successful but timing is critical. For further information and assistance, contact your local NRCS Field Service Center.

All programs and services of the Natural Resources Conservation Service are provided in a nondiscriminatory manner. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, rental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or a part of an individual's income is derived from any public assistance program. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD). To file a complaint of discrimination write to USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call (800) 795-3272 (voice) or (202) 720-6382 (TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

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