Saffron thistle one to watch

Horizons Regional Council environmental management officer Jack Keast is asking people to keep an eye out for saffron thistle, an annual pest plant yet to breach the region’s borders.

Mr Keast says the thistle can grow up to a metre tall, is woody when mature, can create dense thickets in pasture and has a distinct yellow flower and hard spiky leaves.

“We’re yet to see saffron thistle in the Horizons Region and we’re asking for vigilance to make sure it stays away,” Mr Keast says.

“The closest known saffron thistle site is at Porangahau so it’s really important to keep an eye out for this species, especially along the east coast.”

Saffron thistle has a very hard, heavy seed which falls close to the parent plant. Seeds are dispersed by attaching to stock hair or wool, via agricultural machinery or in mud on boots or vehicles.

The thistle prefers warm north and west facing slopes and does particularly well in poorer or overgrazed pastures. Its leaves can get into wool or hides, injuring stock, downgrading wool or carcasses and making stock difficult to handle.

Anyone who thinks they may have seen saffron thistle is urged to get in touch with a Horizons environmental management officer on toll free 0508 800 800.

ENDS

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