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On April 5, 2005 Roger Batt and Bryan Dallolio identify a Scotch Thistle rosette near the Boise River. Roger notes that is Idaho's biggest thistle and we know that it came from Europe and Asia, probably as an ornamental plant. He asks Bryan to talk more about this weed. Bryan explains that this plant is something we typically see in disturbed areas and waste ground. We also get it in a lot of pastures and it can move into some wild areas too. Here in Ada County they find it and treat it by the Boise River on some recreation ground. He notes that its non-native status and its unpalatability makes it of no benefit to wildlife. This weed is quite a prolific seed producer too. He notes that this rosette, if left untreated and unmolested by the end of the season, will easily be wider across than he can reach with both arms. By this time the plant will build a big fleshy taproot and go into senescence. The next year the bottom leaves go flat on it and it will bolt and get eight to ten feet tall.
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