CANADA THISTLE 



The thistle IS an idealist among plants. Its dreams would 



be worth recording. When its season of bloom is past, its leaf 



ances rusted and broken-when seemingly its fortunes are at 



the lowest ebb-then look out for the shining fleets of its seeds. 



the^M ^f ^'^ir'' "^^^^^'^ ^^''^ ^^^^e ^bout, above 



the fields, over the village streets, even entering the houses 



through doors and windows. On goes the winged hope of the 



thistle, flashing white m the sunshine, but dark in the shadow." 



CANADA THISTLE. CREEPING THISTLE 



Cdrduus arvensis 



A perennial, dioecious plant. The worst pest of all the 

 Thistles because of its creeping roots which make it diffi- 

 cult to eradicate. Found in cultivated fields, on road- 

 sides, and in pastures. Naturalized from Europe Tune- 

 September. 



^^(7/^/^c;^.-Deep-growing, horizontal, and creeping and 

 so forming patches and colonies. ^ ^' 



feef hTgiT^'''''^^' "^^""^''^ ^'^^'^^^ ^^^^^' «"« to three 

 Zeam.— Alternate, sessile and slightly clasDine obloncr 



Smets'' btT/T ''' ^^^^ "^-^ Prfckl/lob:ro?'de^af; 

 segments, basal leaves sometimes petioled. 



Flower-heads.---DiscoiA-compo%ite, that is, with no rav- 



nf tW h ^\"^ ''°™^'" ^'"'''' P-^t'^l^d clusters at the dps 

 of the branches, purple-pink, rarely white. Flower heads 



K n 'I ^'T""« <"^ pistillate. Pistillate head! oblone 

 bell-shaped, constricted at the neck; styles pink purnfe 

 and projectmg conspicuous, giving k fluffy Ck to the 

 flower-head Bracts of the involucre pressed close and 

 each tipped with a tiny hook. Staminate heads globose 

 corollas projecting. As the seeds mature the Dann?,, h!' 

 comes long, silvery, conspicuous. Many heads mature 

 pappus, but no fertile seeds. mature 



Fertilized by many insects. Nectar-bearing. ' 



