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' Nelson Mining Resource <br /> Integrated Noxious Weed Management Plan <br />' August 2019 <br /> Page 5 <br /> produces about 1,000 to 1,500 seeds per plant. Typically, it reproduces vegetative <br />' through a creeping root system, and can quickly form dense stands. Every piece of root, <br /> from %2 to 1 inch in length, can form new plants. The key to controlling Canada thistle is <br />' to eliminate seed production and to reduce the plant's nutrient reserves in its root system <br /> through persistent, long-term management. <br /> Combining control methods for Canada thistle is imperative. The weed needs to be <br />' continually stressed, forcing it to exhaust root nutrient stores and eventually die. Of all <br /> control methods, prevention is most important. Maintain healthy pastures and rangeland <br />' and continually monitor your property for new infestations. <br /> ■ Musk Thistle (Carduus nutans): Musk thistle (Carduus nutans) is a non-native biennial <br />' forb that reproduces solely by seed. A biennial is a plant that completes its lifecycle <br /> within two years. During the first year of growth, musk thistle appears as a rosette in <br /> spring or fall. During the second year in mid to late spring—the stem bolts, flowers, sets <br />' seed, and the plant dies. A prolific seed producer, musk thistle can produce up to 20,000 <br /> seeds per plant. Therefore, the key to managing this plant is to prevent seed production. <br />' Cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum): Commonly referred to as cheatgrass, (Bromus <br /> tectorum) it is also known as downy brome, downy cheat and bronco grass. It is widely <br />' distributed throughout the United States and has been reported to be the dominant species <br /> on more than 100 million acres of the intermountain west. Cheatgrass is unique in that it <br /> occupies a dual role as a serious weed and important early season forage. Cheatgrass can <br />' maintain dominance for many years on sites where native vegetation has been eliminated <br /> or severely reduced by grazing, cultivation or fire. Cheatgrass is a winter annual member <br />' of the grass (Poaceae) family. It reproduces by seed which germinates in the fall, over <br /> winters as a seedling and flowers in the spring. Seed can remain viable in the soil for 2 to <br /> 5 years. Cheatgrass can grow in almost any soil type and readily adapts to varying <br /> precipitation. Cheatgrass can be several inches to more than 18 inches tall. It has a <br /> nodding seed head with many finely hairy drooping spikelets. As it matures the seed <br /> heads and foliage often become reddish and then progress to a light tan. <br /> ■ Common Mullein (Verbascum thagsus): Common Mullein(Verbascum thapsus) is a <br />' non-native escaped ornamental biennial that has spread throughout the United States. The <br /> plant develops fibrous roots and a deep taproot. It forms a basal rosette in the first growth <br /> year and midway through the second season the plants "bolt"producing flower stalks. <br />' Common Mullein has rosette leaves which can be over a foot long. They have smooth <br /> edges with dense silvery hairs on both sides giving the leaves a woolly appearance. The <br />' flowering stalk is usually solitary and can be over 8 feet tall. Occasionally a few upright <br /> branches occur near the top. Leaves on the flowering stem are alternate and become <br /> smaller and more pointed close to the top of the plant. The flowers are sulfur-yellow, 5 <br /> lobed and united at the base. The stalk is densely packed with flowers attached directly to <br />