Yellow starthistle is identified as one of the most serious weeds in the Western U.S. Although it is an annual plant, it spreads rapidly and produces an extensive amount of seed. Its control is of ...

This-le, noun, widely distributed herbaceous plant of the daisy family, typically has prickly stems and leaves and rounded heads of purple flowers. There are more than 62 varieties of native thistles ...

One bird species, however, cannot start nesting until the thistle plants have bloomed and are producing down and seeds. It’s the fluffy, white down the American goldfinch uses to build its nest, and ...