Oklahoma State University
Stillwater, OK

Oklahoma Alfalfa
Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service
Oklahoma Agricultural Experiment Station

Wavyleaf Thistle

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COMMON NAME: Wavyleaf Thistle
SCIENTIFIC NAME: Cirsium undulatum
TYPE: Perennial Cool-season Broadleaf
DESCRIPTION  
    Germination: In late Spring and early Summer (June-July)
    Reproduction: By seeds and root buds.
    Stems: Erect, sparingly branched and nearly round.
    Flowers: May be either purple to pinkish-purple or white corolla.
    Leaves: The leafs of Wavyleaf Thistle alternate and have simple blades and rosette leaf blades.  The rosette leaf blades are elliptic lobed with the lobes being tipped with a yellow spine and the margins strongly undulated.
    Fruit: One-seeded, tan to brown achene with a yellow collar, smooth, flattened, and slightly curved.
    Found: Wavyleaf Thistle is found primarily on abused rangelands, prairies, pastures, meadows, and disturbed sites.
    Control:  
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Wavyleaf Thistle
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Wavyleaf Thistle

Jim Stritzke
Former Alfalfa Weed Control Specialist
Department of Plant and Soil Sciences
Oklahoma State University

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