Vegetation Management and Maintenance Plan - Watsonville ...

BULL THISTLE
Cirsium vulgare
DISTINCTIVE FEATURES This thistle grows as a biennial herb.
The species has erect, highly branched, stems, arising from a basal rosette.
The leaves are alternate and deeply lobed, with a rough, sandpaper-like
texture and attach to the stem in awing-like pattern. The leaf
tips have spines. The flower heads are 1-2” wide and 1-1.5” tall.
Plants typically grow to 2-6 feet tall.
BLOOMS Purple-pink, July - October.
PREFERRED HABITAT Bull thistle is common in coastal grasslands
and edges of mesic areas elsewhere in the state. Forms infestations
in disturbed pastures, cleared areas and along roads and ditches.
It spreads by seed, forming a rosette in year 1, with flowering and
seed set in the 2 nd year.
POISON HEMLOCK
Conium maculatum
DISTINCTIVE FEATURES This member of the carrot family typically
grows as a biennial herb from a deep taproot. The species has
finely divided leaves arising from an erect, yet hollow, ribbed stem.
The stem has characteristic purple spots. The small flowers form a terminal
flat-topped cluster on stalks that reach above the leaves. Plants
range between 2-10 feet tall.
BLOOMS White, April - July.
PREFERRED HABITAT Poison hemlock occurs throughout California
below 5,000 feet elevation. It is commonly found in meadows,
along roadsides and riparian area, where there is moist soil during
most of the growing season. Poison hemlock spreads by seed and can
spread quickly in open areas. The plant is toxic to livestock, wildlife
and humans. The plant forms flowering stalks in spring it is 2 nd year,
with seed set by early summer. Seeds can be dispersed for several
months and are viable for up to 5 years.