The Musk Thistle

The Musk Thistle

Posted: July 8, 2008 04:55 PM

MARIKA LORRAINE REPORTING

NEWSCASTLE, Okla. -- Thistles are a dilemma for many Oklahomans. It's a plant that has the potential to take over a field and there's one type of thistle that's actually illegal in our state.

NewsChannel 4's Marika Lorraine went to Newcastle where there's a field full of the weed.

The owner of the field is just glad his thistles aren't the illegal kind. It's a plant that's native to our state and even though it's not the illegal variety, it can still cause major headaches; leaving land practically useless.

"They're stickers, and they're thistles. They crowd out the grass, cattle won't eat them," says land owner, Butch Griffith.

Out of the 1100 acres Griffith owns, one spot poses the most problems when it comes to thistles.

"We spray them and knock them down first and they'll usually come back before the summer is over," Griffith says.

Not only are they a problem in the pasture, but neighbors complain the seeds spread and grow in their grass.

It's part of the reason some thistles are illegal to have on your property in Oklahoma.

"And with a fine of up to one $1000 per violation, per day, this field could be quite costly," Griffith explains.

Fortunately for this land owner, these particular plants are native wavy leaf thistles.

Though they are just as annoying and look very similar they don't spread as quickly as their foreign and illegal counterpart; the musk thistle.

"Very few species spread like the musk thistle," Jack Carson with the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture.

According to the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, all thistle infestations can harm livestock and wildlife by eliminating fields as a place to eat.

"It impacts the beauty of the state, it impacts the agricultural industry; it's a nuisance," Carson says.

Experts suggest treating tracts with herbicide and mowing.

"The time to deal with a thistle problem is when you first notice it, because it's only going to get worse if you don't treat it," Carson says.

But as Griffith's pasture proves, that's easier said than done.

The Department of Agriculture only investigates written complaints and will advise the owner on how to get rid of the weed before they fine them.

For more information on these pesky plants, you can find a link to the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture on our "Website Link."

You'll also find a new feature on our KFOR.com homepage called "The Agriculture Connection" featuring agriculture and food-related stories.

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