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).
Photo of pink iberian starthistle flower
 

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

 

Also of Interest:

 
Photo of canada thistle plant.
Nevada Noxious Weed Field Guide – Canada thistle
Canada thistle is a noxious weed that has been identified by the state of Nevada to be harmful to agriculture, the general public, or the environment. Learn more about this weed.
Blecker, L., Creech, E., Dick, J., Gephart, S., Hefner, M., Kratsch, H., Moe, A., Schultz, B. 2020, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno, Field Guide
Photo of malta starthistle plant with yellow and pink and red flowers
Nevada Noxious Weed Field Guide – Malta starthistle
Malta starthistle is a noxious weed that has been identified by the state of Nevada to be harmful to agriculture, the general public, or the environment. Learn more about this weed.
Blecker, L., Creech, E., Dick, J., Gephart, S., Hefner, M., Kratsch, H., Moe, A., Schultz, B. 2020, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno, Field Guide
photo of perennial sowthistle patch
Nevada Noxious Weed Field Guide – Perennial sowthistle
Perennial sowthistle is a noxious weed that has been identified by the state of Nevada to be harmful to agriculture, the general public, or the environment. Learn more about this weed.
Blecker, L., Creech, E., Dick, J., Gephart, S., Hefner, M., Kratsch, H., Moe, A., Schultz, B. 2020, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno, Field Guide
Photo of purple starthistle
Nevada Noxious Weed Field Guide – Purple Starthistle
Purple starthistle is a noxious weed that has been identified by the state of Nevada to be harmful to agriculture, the general public, or the environment. Learn more about this weed.
Blecker, L., Creech, E., Dick, J., Gephart, S., Hefner, M., Kratsch, H., Moe, A., Schultz, B. 2020, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno, Field Guide
Photo of yellow starthistle plant
Nevada Noxious Weed Field Guide – Yellow starthistle
Yellow starthistle is a noxious weed that has been identified by the state of Nevada to be harmful to agriculture, the general public, or the environment. Learn more about this weed.
Blecker, L., Creech, E., Dick, J., Gephart, S., Hefner, M., Kratsch, H., Moe, A., Schultz, B. 2020, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno, Field Guide
 

Associated Programs

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Master Gardeners of Nevada

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

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Grow Your Own, Nevada!

Learn the secrets of high desert gardening

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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