Native Plants

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Tuesday - May 26, 2015

From: Kerrville, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Invasive Plants, Managing Roadsides, Non-Natives, Problem Plants, Herbs/Forbs
Title: How to eliminate roadside thistles
Answered by: Guy Thompson

QUESTION:

When we drive along the highway we see lots of wildflowers and no thistles in the median. How does the Highway Department keep the thistles out? Here in Kerrville, we are overwhelmed by thistles this year. Any suggestions? Thank you.

ANSWER:

TXdot follows certain guidelines in planting and management of roadside wildflowers. This includes waiting until seeds are set and ripened, mowing no lower than a certain height, and, in some cases, using herbicides. Details of how areas containing thistles are treated are not available. Thistles are not among the native species planted by the department.

There are several common thistles in this area, including the very invasive milk thistle and Malta star thistle, and the Cirsium texanum (Texas thistle). Unfortunately, there is no easy way to eliminate these species. Organizing a group to pull them up by the roots is effective but laborious. This is the way it is done at the Wildflower Center. Slicing off the tap root under the base of the plant with a spade makes this easier. A good pair of leather gloves is required to avoid the prickles.