North West Weeds 
          Your local guide to local noxious weed control (NSW, Australia)
 Nodding thistle

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North West Weeds
ABN 16 052 158 879
Postal address:
20 Dinoga Street
BINGARA
NSW 2404

Identification │ Effect on animals │ More info? │ Control methods │ Using pesticides │Disclaimer

Nodding thistle (Carduus nutans L.) is a serious problem noxious weed on grazing properties.  Unless controlled, it takes over large areas thereby reducing stock carrying capacity.  Animals avoid grazing near the plants because of the sharp prickles.
Click on photo (above) to view a typical patch of flowering nodding thistle.  This photo was taken near Kings Plains, east of Inverell.  Nodding thistle favours the cool, New England areas.

IDENTIFICATION
Nodding thistle grows to a height of around 1-1.3 metres.  It has a purple flower which tends to droop and move with the wind, hence the "nodding" thistle. Each plant produces about 7000 viable seeds which become airborne and can spread over long distances.  The seeds may remain viable in the soil for up to 10 years.

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EFFECT ON ANIMALS
Discourages grazing of pastures and other food close to the prickly thistles.  Very detrimental to animals' eyes.

MORE INFORMATION:  Includes "Noxious Plants of Australia", by Parsons and Cuthbertson [Inkata Press].

CONTROL METHODS
According to NSW DPI’s excellent booklet “Noxious and Environmental Weed Control Handbook 3rd Edition", treatments for nodding thistle include:

Non-Chemical Options: Competition:  The use of strong perennial pastures with sound grazing management. (Some landholders in the Inverell Shire are known to achieve good control of this plant through sheep and cell grazing practice.)

Chemical Options: 

Chemical   Rate: Spot/Boom     Comments

MCPA 500 g/L
Various trade names

 250 ml per 150L of water  Spot spray.
MCPA 500 g/L
Various trade names		 2.5 L per hectare Spray at early rosette stage,
re-treatment is required.
Clopyralid 300 g/L (various trade names eg Lontrel®, Clock® 300)
PLUS MCPA 500 g/L		 250 ml per 100 L of water 
50 or 70 mL clopyralid
PLUS 1.0-1.5 L of MCPA per hectare

Spray at rosette to pre-flowering.

2,4 -D ester 600 g/L
Various trade names

 1.3-1.9 L per hectare

Spray rosettes to pre-flowering.
For use in grass pastures

 

 

 

 

 

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 IMPORTANT:  USE OF PESTICIDES – ALWAYS READ THE LABEL

Pesticides must only be used for the purpose for which they are registered and must not be used in any other situation or in any manner contrary to the directions on the label.  Never use a herbicide in any way contrary to the label recommendations.

DISCLAIMER:   The information contained in this web site is based on knowledge and understanding at the time of writing. However, because of advances in knowledge, users are reminded of the need to ensure that information upon which they rely is up to date and to check currency of the information with the appropriate officer of North West Weeds or the user’s independent adviser.
LRT 11/11/2007

Send mail to lestanner@aapt.net.au with questions or comments about this web site.
Copyright © 2007-2008 Last modified: 25/11/07 - L R Tanner