Golden Thistle - introduced (*Scolymus hispanicus)

Other names: Spanish Salsify.

Family: Asteraceae (Daisy family).

Native of Europe.

Occurrence: Scattered. Roadsides and farmland, particularly in lower rainfall areas.

Identification:

• the leaves are deeply divided into rigid, spiny segments
• the leaves extend down the stems to form spiny wings
• it usually has several branches that grow from near the base
• the yellow, dandelion-like flowers are surrounded by spiny floral leaves (bracts)
• the leaf veins are light-coloured and give the thistle a variegated appearance.

Golden Thistle is a proclaimed noxious weed. It is a regionally controlled weed in North-central Victoria. It is a “tumbleweed”; the dead plants are blown by the wind. This helps disperse the seed.

Similar species: Saffron Thistle is a spiny thistle with light yellow flowers. The leaves do not form spiny wings down the stem, and the branches usually grow from the upper part of the plant. Both thistles are noxious weeds.

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