Stem

Up to 3 ft. tall and branched; upper stem lacks hair (glabrous); lower stem covered with stiff, downward-pointing hairs.

Photo of three tan colored iberian starthistle seeds

Photo of Iberian starthistle seeds

Leaves

Rosette leaves up to 12 in. long and pinnate-divided with 6-14 pairs of leaflets; edges (margins) are toothed.
Stems have very few leaves; typically small and oval to strap-like (linear) with toothed to lobed edges.

Photo of green Iberian starthistle rosette growing from the ground.

Photo of Iberian starthistle rosette

Flower

Small (less than 0.6 in. wide) and yellow with four petals.
Seed pods are round, slender and 1.5-2.5 in. long; the end tapers to a point; contain numerous round seeds; pod constricts around seeds (appears beaded).

Root

Deep, slender taproot

Photo of iberian starthistle weeds with pink and white flowers

Other

Grows best in sites with dry, sandy soils and sparse vegetation; often infests roadsides, waste areas, washes and desert areas; known to occur in Clark, Lincoln and Nye counties.
Annual; reproduces by seed
Also known as Sahara mustard

Control

Repeated hand-removal can be effective; disturbances such as fire, tillage and grazing often promote mustard growth.
Apply 2,4-D, glyphosate or triclopyr post-emergence; chlorsulfuron or imazapic pre- or post emergence.

Blecker, L., Creech, E., Dick, J., Gephart, S., Hefner, M., Kratsch, H., Moe, A., Schultz, B. 2020, Nevada Noxious Weed Field Guide – Iberian starthistle, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno, Field Guide

Extension Associated Contacts

Heidi Kratsch

Also of Interest:


Making the Best Better: An Action Plan to Strengthen 4-H in Northern Nye & Esmeralda Counties This fact sheet is an action plan to strengthen 4-H in Northern Nye & Esmeralda Counties by exploring statewide and county Impacts, highest & lowest rated Impacts, and more. Cobb, D., Singletary, L., and Smith, M. 2006, Extension \| University of Nevada, Reno, FS-06-57
Making the Best Better: 2005 Action Plan to Strengthen 4-H in Elko County This fact sheet explores an action plan to strengthen 4-H in Elko County by looking at Elko County and Statewide Impacts, demographics, and more. Fisher, M., Singletary, L., and Smith, M. 2005, Extension \| University of Nevada, Reno, FS-05-11
Making the Best Better: 2005 Action Plan to Strengthen 4-H in Humboldt County This fact sheet explains an action plan to strengthen 4-H in Humboldt County by going over the demographic data from Humboldt County and Nevada, assessment questions, and many more. Schultz, B., Towne, C., Singletary, L., and Smith, M. 2005, Extension \| University of Nevada, Reno, FS-05-50
Making the Best Better: 2005 Action Plan to Strengthen 4-H in Lander County This fact sheet explores an action plan to strengthen 4-H in Lander County by looking at Lander County and Statewide Impacts, demographics, and more. Chapin, B., Singletary, L., and Smith, M. 2005, Extension \| University of Nevada, Reno, FS-05-14
Making the Best Better: 2005 Action Plan to Strengthen 4-H in White Pine County This fact sheet explores an action plan to strengthen 4-H in White Pine County by looking at White Pine County and Statewide Impacts, demographics, and more. Mangum, P., Singletary, L., and Smith, M. 2005, Extension \| University of Nevada, Reno, FS-05-16

Associated Programs

Grow Your Own, Nevada!

Learn the secrets of high desert gardening

Green Industry Training

A workforce development program to train green industry professionals, who receive continuing education units for pesticide applicator, ISA-certified arborist and Qualified Water Efficient Landscaper

Master Gardeners of Nevada

Program trains local gardeners to provide research-based horticulture information to Nevadans.

Nevada Noxious Weed Field Guide – Iberian starthistle