Canterbury farmers asked to report sightings of Saffron Thistle

Canterbury farmers are encouraged to look out for and report sightings of the yellow flowering thistle, Saffron Thistle (Carthamus lanatus) to Environment Canterbury.

The Biosecurity team at Environment Canterbury is working with the farming industry to eliminate Saffron Thistle from the region. Saffron Thistle competes with pastures species forming large dense stands and, when it gets established, can reduce stock carrying capacity, which in turn impacts production. Its sharp spines can cause injuries to the eyes and mouths of stock and get stuck in wool.

Environment Canterbury principal advisor biosecurity Laurence Smith said, “We ask anyone who suspects they have Saffron Thistle to let us know as soon as possible. It will be flowering and easily identifiable with its yellow flowers from December to April. We want to eliminate it to protect their property, as well as to protect the rest of the region, which is at risk of it spreading further afield.”

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