Pest Plant Local Law

Spear Thistle
Note Number: PPLL 10

Spear Thistle (Cirsium vulgare)

Spear Thistle is an annual / biennial broadleaf weed
growing to 1.5 metres. It is a highly invasive weed of
improved pasture where it favours fertile soils with high
levels of nutrients. It is also a common weed of bushland
areas, cultivated areas, roadsides and disturbed / waste
sites, especially in moist areas. When established, it
crowds out most plants by shading and competition for
nutrients and water.
Spear Thistle is avoided by livestock because of its spines Spear thistle rosette of spiny leaves
and overgrazing of paddocks encourages its spread. Stems
If eaten, the spines can cause damage to stock, particularly
Stems are erect with spiny wings along the length.
around the mouth. Dried leaves and spines can contribute
Commonly several stems emerge from the base, but can
to the contamination of wool fleeces which can incur a
be a single stem.
price penalty at markets.
Seeds
Local Scene Seed is grey / light-brown, with a tuft of bristles attached:
Spear Thistle is widespread in the City of Whittlesea. It up to 2.5 cm long. Up to 200 flower heads and 8000 seeds
favours the basalt soils in the west of the municipality can be produced per plant.
where it commonly grows with Artichoke and Variegated Roots
Thistles. It is more widely distributed than other thistle
Plants develop a taproot with numerous branches.
species and is a common weed in the higher rainfall areas
of Humevale, Whittlesea and Kinglake West.
Life Cycle / Reproduction
Identification and Description Spear Thistle reproduces by seed and grows by a one or
two-year life cycle depending on when seeds germinate.
Flowers The main germination occurs after the first autumn rains
Purple flowerheads up to 5 cm in diameter are born with some emergence in late winter to spring. Plants die
singularly or in groups of 2-3, and are surrounded by spiny after flowering and can remain standing for 1-2 years.
bracts. Summer flowering (December to February). Seed is relatively heavy and is only dispersed a short
distance by the wind from the parent plant. Seed can be
dispersed long distances in contaminated hay because
plants are normally flowering when hay is cut. Seed
remains viable for a relatively short time in the soil.

Spear Thistle in flower

Leaves
Leaves are dark green to 35 cm long and deeply divided.
They are prickly on the upper surface giving them a hairy Previous seasons’ dead Spear Thistle plants
appearance. Leaves end with a distinct yellow stout spine.
Initially develops as a rosette of leaves at ground level.
DISCLAIMER: The advice contained in this publication is intended as a source of information only. Always use chemicals in accordance with manufacturer
directions on the product label or in Material Safety Data Sheets available from the manufacturer. The City of Whittlesea and its officers do not guarantee
that the publication is without flaw of any kind or is wholly appropriate for your particular purpose and therefore disclaims all liability for any error, loss or
other consequence which may arise from your relying on this information
Control and Management Chemical Control
Clean areas should be kept free of Spear Thistle and  Spot spray infestations using a chemical registered for
managed to prevent infestation. Lightly infested areas Spear Thistle.
should be prioritised to prevent further establishment and  Use a broadleaf specific herbicide to avoid off-target
prevent spread. Heavily infested areas should be tackled damage to surrounding desirable pasture grasses.
progressively over a number of years.  Treat at the rosette stage. Mature plants with
Prevention flowering stems are difficult to kill due to a well-
established tap root.
 Beware of source infestations- seed can be
Long-term control
transported in contaminated soil, in soil attached to
rock and imported in hay.  Ensure you have good coverage of perennial grasses,
 Avoid overgrazing paddocks with stock as this will crops or native vegetation.
remove the competition provided by pasture grasses.  Limit soil disturbance and monitor treated areas for
 Controlling rabbits will remove selective grazing re-infestation.
pressure that will favour Spear Thistle establishment  Remove as soon as identified.
and spread.
 Remove individual plants as soon as identified.
Similar native species
 Maintain competitive groundcover to prevent
establishment. There are no similar native species
Non-chemical control
Further Information
 Seedlings and small plants can be chipped out when at
the rosette stage. Take care to ensure all root material This factsheet should be read in conjunction with Note
is removed. PPLL 12- Weed Control Techniques.
 Cultivation is effective in killing the plant but must be Contact Council’s Land Management and Biodiversity
undertaken as a preliminary action prior to the Team for further information and assistance on the
establishment of competitive pasture or crops. control of this weed on 9217 2147
 Slashing plants is only effective once flowers are
produced otherwise plants will reshoot. Be cautious,
as viable seeds may already have been produced if
flowers are present when cutting occurs.

Seasonal Guide to the Management of Spear Thistle

SUMMER AUTUMN WINTER SPRING

Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov

Hand removal Spot spraying Cultivation

DISCLAIMER: The advice contained in this publication is intended as a source of information only. Always use chemicals in accordance with manufacturer
directions on the product label or in Material Safety Data Sheets available from the manufacturer. The City of Whittlesea and its officers do not guarantee
that the publication is without flaw of any kind or is wholly appropriate for your particular purpose and therefore disclaims all liability for any error, loss or
other consequence which may arise from your relying on this information