They spread via seeds and stray plant parts. Since musk thistle (Carduus nutans) can produce over 20,000 straw-colored seeds singularly, it quickly carpets the area, outcompeting native vegetation.

Musk thistle is biennial or sometimes a winter annual, which grows up to 6 feet tall. Leaves are dark green with light green midrib, deeply lobed, and spiny margined. Leaves extend onto the stem ...

It is known as musk thistle in some countries overseas ... As mentioned, the nodding thistle usually has its flower heads nodding over somewhat, especially the more mature ones. The one species that ...