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Rangeland-Pasture Recommendations <br /> Musk thistle Identification and Management <br /> Musk thistle (Carduus nutans) is a non-native biennial forb that reproduces solely <br /> by seed. A biennial is a plant that completes its lifecycle within two years. During the <br /> first year of growth, musk thistle appears as a rosette in spring or fall. During the <br /> second year in mid to late spring- the stem bolts,flowers, sets seed, and the plant dies. <br /> A prolific seed producer, musk thistle can produce up to 20,000 seeds per plant. <br /> Therefore, the key to managing this plant is to prevent seed production. <br /> Musk thistle can grow up to 6 feet tall. The leaves are spiny,waxy, and dark <br /> ' green in color with a light green midrib. The flowers are purple, large in size (1.5 to 3 <br /> inches in diameter), nodding, and terminal. The flowers are surrounded by numerous, <br /> lance-shaped, spine-tipped bracts. You can expect to see flowers from late May and <br /> June. Seed set usually occurs in June or July. <br /> ' Flowerhead <br /> See <br /> t <br /> 1 Production <br /> 7 <br /> 77.I ' 7 IIIB' t,:� ! i If <br /> a .k. <br /> A <br /> C,qfA th hife i <br /> l <br /> I drib <br /> 1 edge; <br /> Musk thistle tends to invade disturbed,overgrazed areas. Once a pasture is <br /> infested, the livestock carrying capacity for that area is significantly decreased. <br /> ' Musk thistle may also occur on rangeland,roadsides, ditches, riparian areas, and trails. <br /> On the backside of this sheet are musk thistle management recommendations. If <br /> you have any questions or would like more information, please contact the Weld <br /> rCounty Public Works Dept., Weed Division at(970) 304-6496 ext. 3770. Please visit our <br /> website www.weldweeds.org <br />