Scotch thistle, a regulated Class B noxious weed, is an annual or biennial that grows 8 feet tall in meadows, pastures, and other habitats. Gray-green, woolly, spiny leaves reach up to 2 feet long and 1 foot wide. Stems have ribbon-like, spiny "wings." In mid-summer, 2-inch-wide, dark pink to lavender, globe-shaped flower heads appear in groups of 2 or 3 at stem ends. This plant reproduces by seed.

Legal Status

Scotch thistle is a Class B noxious weed and control is required in King County. This species is also on the Washington quarantine list (known as the prohibited plants list) and it is prohibited to transport, buy, sell, offer for sale, or to distribute plants or plant parts, seeds in packets, blends or "wildflower mixes" of this species, into or within the state of Washington. The majority of Scotch thistle infestations in Washington occur in eastern Washington. For more information on noxious weed regulations and definitions, see Noxious weed lists and laws.

Look-Alikes

Scotch thistle has been found growing in a number of western Washington counties but the sites are generally small and isolated. It is much more common in counties on the east side of the Cascades.

Scotch thistle can be confused with bull thistle (Cirsium vulgaris), which is also sometimes called "Scotch thistle" and is much more common in western Washington. Scotch thistle is more densely covered with white hairs, tends to be taller, and the stems have "wings" along the entire length, unlike bull thistle.

Biology and morphology

 

During its first year it develops a large spiny rosette, eliminating potential competing plants around its taproot by shading. In the second year Scotch thistle may grow 5 feet in diameter with branched flower stems 8 feet tall. The leaves are lobed with spiny margins that extend down the stems as spiny wings. The entire plant appears grayish-green because of a covering of fine white hairs. Purple flower heads are 1 to 2 inches in diameter with stiff spiny bracts. Scotch thistle differs from musk thistle in the upright flower heads and the leafy stems below the flower heads.

 

Additional information on Scotch thistle

• Washington State Noxious Weed Control Board (external link)

What to do if you find this plant in King County, Washington

 

Please notify us if you see Scotch thistle growing in King County. Our program staff can provide the property owner or appropriate public agency with site-specific advice on how best to remove it. Also, because Scotch thistle is not established in King County, we have an opportunity to stop it from spreading if we act quickly. We map all known locations of regulated noxious weeds such as Scotch thistle in order to help us and others locate new infestations in time to control them.

Report scotch thistle in King County, Washington

• Please notify us through our online infestation form

Locate scotch thistle in King County, Washington

• Use our interactive noxious weed map and search for scotch thistle

Related information

• Agriculture in King County, Washington
• Northwest yard and garden
• Animals, plants and habitat

Related agencies

• Dept. of Natural Resources and Parks
• Water and Land Resources Division

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Program offices are located at 201 S. Jackson St., Suite 600, Seattle, WA 98104. To contact staff, see the Noxious Weed Control Program Directory, send an email, or call 206-477-WEED (206-477-9333).