Stem

Stiff, wiry, 1-6 ft. tall and usually branched; wings less than 0.2 in. wide extend down stem

Leaves

Blue- to gray-green, 1.5-6 in. long and densely covered with fine hairs
Rosette leaves are oval to strap-like (linear) with deeply lobed edges (margins); stem leaves are alternate, strap-like to oblong with smooth to wavy edges

Flower

Yellow, located singly at branch tips or axils; base of flower is vase-shaped, 0.5-0.75 in. diameter and covered with cotton-like hairs and stout, straw-colored spines 0.5-1 in. long

Root

Deep taproot

Other

Infests rangeland, pastures, croplands, waste areas and roadsides; known to occur in Carson City, Douglas, Elko, Humboldt, Lander, Lyon, Storey, Washoe, and White Pine counties
Annual; reproduces by seed
Causes “chewing disease” in horses by damaging the area of the brain that controls fine motor movements, particularly of the mouth, resulting in starvation or dehydration

Control

Grazing, mowing, burning, pulling, digging and cultivation can be effective if done prior to seed production
Several biological control agents are available
Apply 2,4-D, dicamba, or triclopyr rosette to bolt; glyphosate bolt to flowering; aminocyclopyrachlor, aminopyralid, clopyralid or picloram preemergence to rosette; chlorsulfuron preemergence

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

Extension Associated Contacts

Heidi Kratsch

Also of Interest:


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
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
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
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
A Northern Nevada Homeowner’s Guide to Identifying and Managing Russian Thistles Guide to identifying and managing Russian thistles which grows into a bushy, prickly plant that breaks off at ground level and rolls with the wind when mature. Donaldson, S., Hanson Mazet, W. 2010, Extension \| University of Nevada, Reno FS-10-31

Associated Programs

Master Gardeners of Washoe County

Master Gardeners provide free, research-based horticulture information to Nevadans.

Master Gardeners of Nevada

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

Garden plant and pest sprayers image by Olga Seifutdinova from Getty Images

Integrated Pest Management

Integrated Pest Management program is a long-term management strategy that uses a combination of tactics to reduce pests to tolerable levels with potentially lower costs for the pest manager and minimal effect on the environment.

Nevada Noxious Weed Field Guide – Yellow starthistle