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Variegated thistle (Silybum marianum)
Family: Asteraceae
Description:
Variegated thistle is a robust, spiny thistle that generally grows to between 0.5 and 2 metres tall at flowering. It has white veins and blotches on leaves.
Other names:
Cabbage thistle, holy thistle, lady's thistle, milk thistle, spotted thistle.
Values at risk:

Ecological values, through competition with, and the exclusion of, native plants along forest and riparian margins, and in low and disturbed forest.

Agricultural production, particularly in planted forests and pasture areas.

Strategy rule:

In the areas shaded red in the map, you must destroy all variegated thistle, nodding thistle and plumeless thistle on your property.

In the areas shaded green in the map, you must destroy any variegated, nodding and plumeless thistle on your property for 100 m inside your boundary.

Throughout Taranaki it is illegal to knowingly distribute or sell these thistles such as in hay.

What is the 'Pest Management Strategy' for Taranaki?

How to destroy:

Mulch with mechanical cutters.

Grub or dig out of small seedlings.

Use herbicides.

Guidance on using herbicides

 

 

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Variegated thistle map

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THIS PEST PLANT IS BANNED FROM BEING SOLD, PROPAGATED AND DISTRIBUTED.

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