Musk thistle (Carduus nutans) is a biennial plant commonly
considered an invasive weed. It can easily grow to 6 feet. The
plant only reproduces via seed production. One plant will
produce more than 20,000 seeds each year, according to Colorado
State University. Seeds are dispersed by the wind. The plant
produces spiny, lobed foliage in a rosette fashion. Flowers
range in color from pink to purple. Musk Thistle Flowering Each
spring, the musk thistle produces an abundance of flowers.
Flower-heads range in size from 1 to 3 inches in diameter. Seeds
begin to form seven to 10 days after the flowers open up. A
fully grown musk thistle plant will easily produce more than 100
flower heads, according to the Colorado State University.
Flowers are produced non-stop over seven to nine weeks. The
seeds have parachute-like hairs that allow the wind to catch the
seeds and lift them from the seed-heads. The hairs give the
seeds the ability to fly on the wind with ease so dispersal is
easier. Once the wind blows the seed hea