“Asters, Groundsels, and especially Thistles, afford most familiar examples of a hairy or downy pappus; those of thistles, &c. in autumn sailing about in every breeze.” --Asa Gray, “How Plants Grow”, ...

We’re going to get this article out of the way early on in the season, as it’s the plant family I get the most calls about. Thistles are the most unpopular noxious weed in Archuleta County ...

Thistles are a marvelous group of plants. Botanists place them all as members of the sunflower (or aster) family, which is a truly gargantuan group with over 20,000 species. The thistles are always ...

Thistles are a marvelous group of plants. Botanists place them all as members of the sunflower (or aster) family, which is a truly gargantuan group with over 20,000 species. The thistles are always ...

I tugged hard on the huge musk thistle with gloved hands, but it wouldn’t budge. I stood and removed the foot-long blade I save for just such occasions and gave the stem a whack near ground level. The ...

Thistles have reputations as especially prickly plants, and species found in Northcentral Texas and Southwestern Oklahoma are not exceptions. Some cultures and traditions have low regard for thistles.

“Asters, Groundsels, and especially Thistles, afford most familiar examples of a hairy or downy pappus; those of thistles, &c. in autumn sailing about in every breeze.” — Asa Gray, “How Plants Grow,” ...