Canada thistle

American  

noun

1. an Old World plant, Cirsium arvense, having small purple or white flower heads, now a troublesome weed in North America.

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Canada thistle British  

noun

1. the US and Canadian name for creeping thistle

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Etymology

Origin of Canada thistle

An Americanism dating back to 1790–1800

Example Sentences

Today, 140 years later, Canada thistle is a Class C noxious weed in Washington.

From Seattle Times • Jun. 11, 2022

Many look for nectar on dandelion, rabbitbrush, Canada thistle, osier dogwood and chokecherry.

From Seattle Times • Aug. 27, 2021

They are targeting Johnson grass, giant foxtail, Canada thistle, nodding thistle, common teasel, multiflora rose, Amur honeysuckle, poison hemlock, marestail, Japanese knotweed and kudzu.

From Washington Times • Mar. 18, 2021

The state’s contractor, Ed’s Plant World of Brandywine, is going after porcelain-berry, kudzu, Canada thistle and mile-a-minute weed, among other species.

From Washington Post • Aug. 27, 2016

Dropsy, Canada Thistle for.—"Steep dwarf elder root, or Canada thistle root, and drink the tea."

From Mother's Remedies Over One Thousand Tried and Tested Remedies from Mothers of the United States and Canada by Ritter, Thomas Jefferson