Канадский одуванчик признан опасным сорняком: владельцы земель обязаны контролировать его распространение

Don’t let the purple flowers fool you; Canada thistle is more than just a nuisance. Recognized by its spiny leaves and small purple or pink, urn-shaped flowers, Canada thistle can grow in fields, pastures, roadsides and other disturbed areas. According to Rocky View County, Canada thistle is listed as a noxious weed under Alberta’s Weed Control Act, meaning landowners are legally responsible for controlling its spread. Related Stories: - Calgary Zoo reinforces grizzly habitat after Fitz got past barriers - Skunks are making themselves at home in Crossfield — and they’re not the only wildlife nearby - Elk rutting season begins in Banff as Parks Canada warns visitors Growth, habitat and reproduction It primarily spreads through its creeping roots, with new shoots developing from buds along the root system. Root fragments can also produce new plants, meaning disturbing established infestations can help the weed spread. The plant can also reproduce through seed. Female plants produce seeds with fine hairs that can be carried by wind, while some seeds can remain dormant in the soil for up to 20 years. Managing Canada thistle Rocky View County recommends combining mechanical, cultural and chemical control methods. Hand pulling can work for small patches if as much of the root system as possible is removed. Grazing can suppress young plants, while mowing can weaken established infestations by repeatedly forcing plants to use energy stored in their roots. However, the county says a single annual mowing is not enough. Mowing must be repeated throughout the growing season before plants produce seed and may need to continue for several years. Herbicide control Herbicides can be an important tool for established infestations, particularly when mechanical control is not practical. Rocky View County says fall applications can be effective because Canada thistle moves energy into its roots before winter. Agricultural producers have access to products including Grazon, Truvist, TruRange, Reclaim II and Restore II for appropriate pasture applications. Acreage owners can use domestic products such as Par III, Trillion or other registered 2,4-D products where permitted by the label. The county reminds landowners to always follow the product label, including application rates, timing and grazing or haying restrictions. Prevention and early detection Maintaining healthy vegetation and establishing competitive cover in disturbed areas can help prevent Canada thistle from spreading. Rocky View County also recommends monitoring areas after soil disturbance and addressing new growth early. Controlling flowers can prevent seed production, but the county says long-term control requires addressing the plant’s root system. Small patches are much easier to manage than large, established infestations. DiscoverAirdrie encourages you to get your news directly from your trusted source by bookmarking this page and downloading the DiscoverAirdrie app.