Spear Thistle contains oxalic acid, which can be poisonous to livestock and other animals if ingested in large enough quantities. It is considered mildly toxic.
Spear Thistle is another problematic plant that causes trouble on UK soil. Its aggressive growth rate and ability to harm livestock and humans with abundant sharp, rigid spines have labelled Spear Thistle ‘invasive’ and ‘injurious’. In this blog, we’ll investigate all there is to know about Spear Thistle or Cirsium vulare. Where did it come from? What does it look like? Is Spear Thistle poisonous? And more…
The Spear Thistle is a native plant to the UK and can be found throughout the country on pastures, roadside verges and field edges. It’s happy to grow pretty much anywhere but less fond of damp conditions such as wetlands. It is often called the ‘common’ thistle, and you’ll have seen this plant lots of times, distinctive by its fluffy pink-purple flower and very spiky stem.
Spear Thistle is in fact the natural emblem of Scotland, not Scotch Thistle as you might think. Scotch Thistle is non-native and has small yellow flowers. Believe it or not, Spear Thistle is perfectly edible – every part of the plant can be eaten apart from the spines! But it’s the worrying impact of Spear Thistle that we are looking at today. Read on to discover how to identify, treat and remove this unruly specimen.
The best way to tackle a Spear Thistle infestation it to contact an experienced contractor like The Knotweed Specialists. We have a wealth of experience tackling invasions of Spear Thistle, Japanese knotweed, Bindweed, Ragwort and other species. If you think that you have an invasive species on your land, send us a WhatsApp image, and we’ll get back to you straight away.
What’s The Problem With Spear Thistle?
Spear Thistle is an invasive weed in the UK and other countries like North America and Australia. This tricky customer is an unpopular sight in gardens and agricultural land because of its fast, stubborn growth and ability to outcompete other plants and wildlife. It is a biennial plant that is supported by a deep, branched taproot that can make it difficult to control and eradicate. Spear Thistle has super sharp spines that can cause harm to animals and humans, and this has caused it to be one of only five weeds included in the Weeds Act 1959.
Spear Thistle is an ‘injurious weed’, meaning it presents a danger to agricultural land, animals and local biodiversity. The plant is also considered ‘noxious’ to animals because it contains oxalic acid, which is mildly toxic to livestock, although the toxicity is only a problem after prolonged consumption. Spear Thistle is generally an unwanted member of the hedgerow, and most agricultural land users and residential gardeners will be glad to see the back of this spiky species.
What Does Spear Thistle Look Like
The common Spear Thistle has a classic thistle appearance, with its tall spiky stem, grey-green spiky leaves, and pink fluffy flowers sitting on top of a spiky ball. The plant is biennial and dies after two years. Flowering time is midsummer to early autumn, after which the Spear Thistle will distribute its seeds via the wind. It can sometimes be confused with other types of thistle like the Creeping Thistle, but this variety has a hairless upper leaf and spineless stem, making it easy to distinguish.
If you spot an invasion of Spear Thistle, contact an experienced professional like Knotweed Specialists. We will identify, treat and remove unwanted infestations, keeping your land and livestock safe from harm. We offer a comprehensive professional service tailored to your particular needs. Don’t take risks with injurious weeds; contact the experts.
Rules About Spear Thistle
Spear Thistle is classified as an ‘injurious weed’ under the Weeds Act 1959. That means land occupiers must control its spread. If you occupy agricultural land, it’s a good idea to remove the Spear Thistle plant to keep your livestock safe and prevent the plant from spreading to neighbouring land, which could result in prosecution. Under UK law, all harmful or invasive plants must be controlled and, if possible, removed to reduce the risk of harm to animals, humans and biodiversity.
If you have concerns or are unsure about your responsibilities, contact The Knotweed Specialists. Our dedicated team is highly knowledgeable about controlling and treating infestations. Don’t take risks with Spear Thistle; contact the professionals.
Controlling Spear Thistle
Timing is everything with a Spear Thistle invasion. The best way to control growth is to attack the plant before it can produce and distribute its seeds. Standard mechanical methods include cutting and hand-pulling the weed before it flowers and digging the root out. When the plant is in the rosette stage before flowering, a ‘thistle hoe’ can be used to get down to the taproot and remove it.
For larger infestations, it’s best to consult a professional contractor to treat, remove and dispose of the Spear Thistle weed using a herbicide treatment. There is a higher chance of success in treating the plant during the growing season between April and October. Persistence is usually necessary when tackling any plant invasion, so it’s a good idea to monitor the ground regularly and retreat as necessary.
It is vital to remove Spear Thistle from grazing land to prevent livestock poisoning. The Knotweed Specialists are PCA certified and have considerable experience tackling infestations up and down the country. We have successfully treated Japanese knotweed, Giant knotweed, Himalayan Balsam and Bindweed invasions nationwide. Don’t take chances if you think you may have this harmful plant on your land.
