Nodding thistle is native to Europe and Asia and was introduced into North America in the early 1900s as a seed contaminant (Ball et al, 2006). It is an herbaceous biennial that can grow up to 1.5m tall. It produces a long fleshy taproot and from one to several erect and highly branched stems. The stems are spiny and winged except below the flower head. The leaves are deeply lobed and alternate on the stem. A single large pink/purple flower head is produced at the tops of the branches. The flower heads tend to droop down or “nod” at maturity (Cranston et al. 2005). This plant is often confused with Plumeless thistle.

Biennial forb

Nodding thistle prefers mid elevation where it occurs in meadows, rangelands, roadsides and cut blocks. It can out-compete native plants and reduce pasture production. Nodding thistle is rarely eaten by livestock (Ministry of Agriculture, Lands, and Fisheries, 2002).

Nodding thistle reproduces primarily by seed. A single flower head can produce up to 1,200 seeds and the seeds can remain viable in the soil for up to 10 years (Alberta Fish and Game Association, 2006).

There are several nodding thistle sites in the Cariboo Chilcotin Coast region. These are located south of Alexis Creek and Hanceville, and along the Taseko Lake Road, Vert Lake, Chimney Creek and Ahbau Road.