(Cirsium palustre)
Description
- Purple or reddish flowers found on the end of the single, often unbranched stem
- Stems and leaves are spiny and hairy
Consequences of invasion
- Invades moist to wet areas
- A furious competitor against tree seedlings and native vegetation
- Reduces biodiversity
How is it introduced? How does it spread?
- Transported by vehicles and machinery
- Seeds travel by means of the water that the plant grows in
- Naturally by wind and animals
Integrated Pest Management Options
- Minimize soil disturbances and occupy disturbed spaces by planting native vegetation instead
- Clean equipment before leaving an infested area
- Before flowering: pull or mow and leave to decompose on site
- With flower present, manual treatment is still effective but the seed heads must be bagged and properly disposed of at your local landfill