(Carduus nutans)
Musk thistle is a non-native biennial forb that reproduces solely by seed. A biennial is a plant that completes its life cycle within two years. During the first year of growth, Musk thistle appears as a rosette in spring or fall. During the second year in mid to late spring, the stem bolts, flowers, sets seed, and the plant dies. Musk thistle produces many flower heads. The terminal, or tallest, shoots flower first, then lateral shoots develop in leaf axils. A robust plant may produce 100 or more flowering heads. A prolific seed producer, Musk thistle can produce up to 20,000 seeds per plant, only one-third being viable. Because Musk thistle reproduces solely from seed, the key for successful management is to prevent seed production.
