Onopordum acanthium

Commonly known as Scotch thistle

Distribution Map

Map showing the spread of this weed across New Mexico counties

This weed can be found in the following counties of New Mexico:

  • Chaves
  • Cibola
  • McKinley
  • Rio Arriba
  • Roosevelt
  • San Juan
  • San Miguel
  • Sandoval
  • Santa Fe
  • Taos
  • Torrance

Weed Classification

Noxious Weed Class Not designated a New Mexico noxious weed
Weed Type forb
Found in rangeland
Duration annual or biennial
Juice not milky
Spines, Thorns, and Prickles stem,leaves,fruit,flowers
Growth Habit at Maturity spreading
Leaf Arrangement alternate
Leaf Type not lobed,lobed
Presence of Leaf Tendils absent
Leaf Succulence not succulent
Stem Shape winged
Flower Color pink-red,blue-purple
Flower Symmetry symmetric

Image Gallery

Photo #1 of Onopordum acanthium Photo #2 of Onopordum acanthium Photo #3 of Onopordum acanthium Photo #4 of Onopordum acanthium