Milk Thistle (Silybum marianum) on May 27, 2015
Submitter has sample
EDRR Status: Local expert notified
Description of specimen
A thistle with a variegated leaf. Extremely sharp. In bloom.
Commentary
Expert Reviewer
Tania Siemens
WISE Program Coordinator (Watershed and Invasive Species Education)
Oregon Sea Grant Extension
Oregon State University
tania.siemens@oregonstate.edu
541-914-0701
Reporter
May 27, 2015, 2:20 a.m.
Thanks so much for reporting your find to the hotline! You have discovered Milk Thistle, which is a very invasive species that is still not very abundant in Lane County, yet. I will notify the City of Eugene so they may take appropriate action. Thank you for cutting off the seed heads, that helped to prevent further spread. You are a true steward of the environment. You can bag the seed heads and put them in the garbage. You are right to not put them in the yard debris! Excellent work! If you are open to it, it may be possible to connect with a group like the Eugene Stream Team to have a work party to remove the thistle. It is important to prevent it from getting a foot hold. Please let me know. Keep up the good work, and keep those reports coming. They are extremely helpful.
Take care, Tania
Tania Siemens
Watershed and Invasive Species Education (WISE) Program
Oregon Sea Grant
Oregon State University
cell: 541-914-0701 email: tania.siemens@oregonstate.edu
http://seagrant.oregonstate.edu/invasive-species/wise
Tania Siemens
May 27, 2015, 2:52 a.m.