Cirsium arvense (herb)

Ecology Distribution Management Info Impact Info References and Links Contacts

Management Information Nuzzo (1997) reports that C. arvense should be removed from high quality natural areas when it is first observed. The plant is very tenacious and difficult to control once established. In lower quality areas, management effort should be influenced by the extent of invasion; greater effort is warranted in areas that have new and/or small invasions, which are more likely to be eliminated or contained. Management programs should be designed to kill established clones since the species spreads primarily by vegetative expansion of the root system. It takes at least two growing seasons to determine whether a particular control method is effective. At this time, there are no control methods suitable for wide-spread use in natural areas that eradicate, rather than reduce C. arvense. Control efforts may be more successful when the plant is under environmental stress. The plant is drought and flood sensitive, and its roots are cold-sensitive. Cutting or applying herbicide to shoots after a very severe winter may add sufficient stress to kill plants. For details on chemical, physical and biological control options, please see management information.          Location Specific Management Information Alberta (Canada) According to Nuzzo (1997), in Alberta, Canada, spring burning in a marsh favored growth of native species and did not alter C. arvense biomass. An August fire increased biomass and shoot density of the weed, which averaged 63 g/sq-m vs. 5 g/sq-m, and 20 shoots/sq-m vs. 0.9 shoots/sq-m, on burned and unburned plots, respectively. Seedling density also increased following the summer fire. In another wetland in Alberta, Canada, C. arvense cover was not affected by fire, but increased when the wetland area was subjected to drought. Bronydd Mawr (United Kingdom (UK)) A project was undertaken between April 2000 and March 2003 to test an integrated approach to thistle management combining grazing, mechanical techniques and herbicide application to obtain a reduction in Cirsium arvense density and long-term maintenance of low population levels, whilst minimising the impact upon non-target species. The study developed and tested combinations of these control techniques. The key objectives being to a) examine the effect of the timing and severity of grazing on thistle populations and b) examine the impact of cutting and herbicide application and their interactions with grazing regimes. Results of the study indicate that an integrated approach increased the level of reduction in thistle density and decreased the impact of the control methods adopted on non-target species. For more details please see ConservationEvidence.com, Case study 96: Integrated herbicide, mechanical and grazing control of creeping thistle Cirsium arvense on grasslands at Bronydd Mawr, Wales and Marsh Gibbon, England. [extracted from: Pywell R., Tallowin J. & Masters G. (2004) Effects of grazing management on creeping thistle and other injurous weeds and intergration of grazing with weed control, review report of project BD1437, DEFRA, UK]. Falkland Islands (Malvinas) (sub-Antarctic) Cirsium arvense spread appears to be on the increase and is being controlled locally, further control and possible eradication is/needs to be considered. Marsh Gibbon (United Kingdom (UK)) A project was undertaken between April 2000 and March 2003 to test an integrated approach to thistle management combining grazing, mechanical techniques and herbicide application to obtain a reduction in Cirsium arvense density and long-term maintenance of low population levels, whilst minimising the impact upon non-target species. The study developed and tested combinations of these control techniques. The key objectives being to a) examine the effect of the timing and severity of grazing on thistle populations and b) examine the impact of cutting and herbicide application and their interactions with grazing regimes. Results of the study indicate that an integrated approach increased the level of reduction in thistle density and decreased the impact of the control methods adopted on non-target species. For more details please see ConservationEvidence.com, Case study 96: Integrated herbicide, mechanical and grazing control of creeping thistle Cirsium arvense on grasslands at Bronydd Mawr, Wales and Marsh Gibbon, England. [extracted from: Pywell R., Tallowin J. & Masters G. (2004) Effects of grazing management on creeping thistle and other injurous weeds and intergration of grazing with weed control, review report of project BD1437, DEFRA, UK]. New Zealand Three agents have been released to attack Californian thistle: Californian thistle flea beetle, Californian thistle leaf beetle Lema cyanella and Californian thistle gall fly Urophora stylata. Despite being released widely throughout the country the flea beetle is not believed to have established, and the leaf beetle remains rare and unlikely to have a significant impact on the plant. The gall fly is showing more promise but cannot control Californian thistles alone. Additional agents, both insects and pathogens, are being investigated (Landcare Research). Quebec (Canada) Cassida rubignosa causes only minimal damage in Quebec (Nuzzo, 1997). United States (USA) C. arvense is classified as a noxious weed. Virginia (United States (USA)) Cassida rubignosa causes severe defoliation of C. arvense in Virginia and Maryland (Nuzzo, 1997).          Management Resources/Links 1. Conservationevidence.com, Case study 14. The influence of mechanical cutting and pathogen application on creeping thistle Cirsium arvense at Göttingen, Germany         Summary: The objective in creating this website is to provide the means of collating information on conservation management, sources including published papers, reports and the evidence of practitioners. Case study 14 is available from: http://www.conservationevidence.com/ViewEntry.asp?ID=14 [Accessed 4 June 2005] The database can be searched at: http://www.conservationevidence.com/search.asp 2. Conservationevidence.com, Case study 96. Intergrated herbicide, mechanical and grazing control of creeping thistle Cirsium arvense on grasslands at Bronydd Mawr, Wales and Marsh Gibbon, England         Summary: The objective in creating this website is to provide the means of collating information on conservation management, sources including published papers, reports and the evidence of practitioners. Case study 33 is available from: http://www.conservationevidence.com/ViewEntry.asp?ID=96 [Accessed 4 June 2005] The database can be searched at: http://www.conservationevidence.com/search.asp 3. European and Mediterranean Plant Protection Organization (EPPO), 2006. Guidelines for the management of invasive alien plants or potentially invasive alien plants which are intended for import or have been intentionally imported. EPPO Bulletin 36 (3), 417-418. 4. Kluth, S., Kruess, A & Tscharntke, T ., 2005. Effects of two pathogens on the performance of Cirsium arvense in a successional fallow Weed Research Volume 45 Issue 4 Page 261 5. Landcare -Research Biocontrol of Thistles         Summary: Biocontrol In New Zealand. 6. Nuzzo V. 1997 Element Stewardship Abstract for Cirsium arvense. The Nature Conservancy.         Summary: An Element Stewardship Abstract containing detail report on description, distribution, dispersal methods, impacts, habitats and control. 7. Thunhorst G., Swearingen, J. M. 1997. Canada Thistle. National Park Service, Plant Conservation Alliance, Alien Plant Working Group.         Summary: Detailed report on description, distribution, habitat, reproduction methods and management. 8. Varnham, K. 2006. Non-native species in UK Overseas Territories: a review. JNCC Report 372. Peterborough: United Kingdom.         Summary: This database compiles information on alien species from British Overseas Territories. Available from: http://www.jncc.gov.uk/page-3634 [Accessed 16 May 2006]          Results Page: 1