Scotch Thistle

Scientific name: Onopordum acanthium L.

Common names: Scotch thistle, cotton thistle, heraldic thistle, woolly thistle

Native To: Europe

Date of U.S. Introduction: 1800s

Images: Invasive.org and Google

Means of Introduction: Ornamental

Impact: Crowds out native species and crops

Current U.S. Distribution:

• PLANTS Database map (see complete PLANTS Profile for county distribution and native status)
• Early Detection & Distribution Mapping System

U.S. States and U.S. National Parks Where Reported Invasive: Invasive Plant Atlas of the United States map

Management Plans: Plants

Selected Internet Resources:

• Federal Government
• State Government
• University/Academic
• International
• Organizations

Onopordum acanthium
Integrated Taxonomic Information System.
Taxonomy

Onopordum acanthium L. (Scotch Thistle) - Noxious and Nuisance Plant Management Information System (PMIS)
DOD. USACE. Engineer Research and Development Center. Environmental Laboratory.
Identification/Description; Photographs; Introduction History; Impacts; Distribution

Onopordum acanthium Article Citation Search - AGRICOLA Database
USDA. National Agricultural Library.
Research; Special Note: NAL Catalog Search (resources)

Onopordum acanthium - Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN)
USDA. ARS. National Genetic Resources Program.
Taxonomy; Legal Aspects

Scotch Thistle - Weed of the Week (Aug 27, 2005; PDF | 431 KB)
USDA. FS. Northeastern Area. Forest Health Protection.
Identification/Description; Photographs; Introduction History; Impacts; Habitat; Distribution; Controls

Plant profile for Onopordum acanthium - PLANTS Database
USDA. NRCS. National Plant Data Center.
Taxonomy; Photographs; Distribution; Legal Aspects

Scotch Thistle
Arizona Department of Transportation. Natural Resources Management Group.
Identification/Description; Photographs; Life Cycle; Habitat; Controls; Legal Aspects

Onopordum genus - EncycloWeedia
California Department of Food and Agriculture.
Identification/Description; Photographs; Habitat; Distribution; Dispersion; Controls

Integrated Weed Management of Scotch Thistle (PDF | 171 KB)
State of Colorado. Douglas County. Public Works.
Identification/Description; Photographs; Controls

Scotch Thistle - Noxious Weed Information Series (PDF | 188 KB)
State of Colorado. Jefferson County Weed and Pest Management Program.
Identification/Description; Photographs; Controls

Scotch Thistle
Colorado Department of Agriculture. Noxious Weed Management Program.
Identification/Description; Photographs; Introduction History; Impacts; Distribution; Controls

Scotch Thistle
State of Utah. Weber County Weed Abatement.
Identification/Description; Photographs; Habitat; Dispersion; Controls

Class B Noxious Weed: Scotch Thistle
Washington State Noxious Weed Control Board.
Taxonomy; Identification/Description; Photographs; Impacts; Habitat; Distribution; Dispersion; Controls; Legal Aspects

Onopordum acanthium (Scotch thistle) - Invasive Plant Atlas of New England (IPANE)
University of Connecticut. Ecology and Evolutionary Biology.
Taxonomy; Identification/Description; Photographs; Introduction History; Distribution; Dispersion; Controls

Scotch Thistle - Invasive Plant Atlas of the United States
University of Georgia. Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health.
Taxonomy; Identification/Description; Photographs; Introduction History; Distribution

Scotch Thistle - Weeds of North Central States
University of Illinois. Extension.
Identification/Description; Illustrations

Managing Scotch Thistle (PDF | 392 KB)
University of Nevada - Reno. Cooperative Extension.
Identification/Description; Photographs; Impacts; Life Cycle; Habitat; Controls

Scotch Thistle Wanted Poster--Dead, Not Alive! (PDF | 202 KB)
University of Nevada - Reno. Cooperative Extension.
Identification/Description; Photographs

Scotch Thistle
Utah State University. Extension Service.
Identification/Description; Photographs; Habitat

Scotch thistle - Information Notes
Victoria Department of Primary Industries (Australia).
Identification/Description; Photographs; Dispersion; Controls; Legal Aspects

Scotch Thistle - Guide to Weeds in British Columbia
British Columbia Ministry of Agriculture Food and Fisheries (Canada).
Identification/Description; Photographs; Illustrations; Impacts; Life Cycle; Habitat; Distribution; Dispersion; Controls

Cotton Thistle - Plant Pest Control (PDF | 110 KB)
Hawke's Bay Regional Council (New Zealand).
Identification/Description; Photographs; Distribution; Controls

Weed Profile: Scoth, Illyrian & stemless
New South Wales Department of Primary Industries (Australia).
Identification/Description; Photographs; Impacts; Distribution; Dispersion; Controls; Legal Aspects

Onopordum acanthium (herb) - ISSG Global Invasive Species Database
World Conservation Union. Invasive Species Specialist Group.
Taxonomy; Identification/Description; Photographs; Impacts; Life Cycle; Habitat; Distribution; Controls

Scotch Thistle
Colorado Weed Management Association.
Identification/Description; Photographs; Life Cycle; Habitat; Distribution; Dispersion

Onopordum acanthium
Discover Life.
Taxonomy; Identification/Description; Photographs; Impacts; Habitat; Distribution; Dispersion; Controls

Onopordum acanthium
Pulling Together Initiative. Texasinvasives.org.
Taxonomy; Identification/Description; Photographs; Introduction History; Impacts; Life Cycle; Habitat; Distribution; Dispersion; Controls; Special Note: References