Facts at a glance – Prickly Sow Thistle
07.06.2018
Flower
Seedling
| Key feature |
|
| Number of seeds produced per plant | 5,000 |
| Seed shed | May-October |
| Germination period: | March-July and September to November |
| Germination depth: | 5 cm |
| Primary dormancy | Low |
| Does it have secondary dormancy | yes |
| Seed longevity | >5 years |
| Factor promoting germination | light |
| Rate of seed decline with cultivations | High |
| Lifecycle | Plants which germinate in autumn overwinter as rosettes, producing flowers in May/june; plants germinating in spring flower in June. The latter can set seed in 10 weeks. Prickly sow-thistle only reproduces by seed and is distributed by wind |
| Geographical Location | Widespread in England and Wales |
| Soil Type | Nitrogen rich loams or nutrient rich sandy and stoney soils which are not too dry |
| Impact | Increasing found in arable rotations particularly in winter crops. Autumn germinating plants can overwinter as rosettes and flower in May, spring germinating plants flower in June 5% yield loss from 50 plants per m2 |
| Resistance risk | No resistance in the UK but populations resistant to ALS herbicides in France, Norway, USA and Canada |
| Young plant The cotyledons are oval and short stalked. The first true leaves are edged with backward-pointing teeth, and the overall shape that of a rounded diamond. The leaf is a dull blue green colour and the edge may be tinged with purple. Mature Plant The branched stem is smooth and hollow. The leaves are a glossy rich green and clasp the stem with rounded bases. Flower Flowerheads are pale yellow, 20-25mm across, and form loose clusters. Petals are reddish-grey beneath. The base of the flowerhead is flask -shaped, becoming more pronounced as it grows older. Height 120cm | |
Control
All species – Spreads by windblown seeds so most seed will originate from outside the arable area. Mow these areas to prevent seed development. Ensure plants are controlled where they occur. They do not like competition so ensure areas have a full vegetation cover. Avoid bare soil
Perennial – thickened roots are frost sensitive so cultivations to leave them in the surface are important, or chop and bury so they cannot emerge.
