[Topspinmo]

Originally Posted by OrangeBlossomBaby

A "weed" is loosely defined as "any plant that wasn't specifically and purposefully planted/grown by you or another human."

Wild rosebushes are weeds. Wild strawberries are weeds. An acorn abandoned by a squirrel that grows into an enormous oak tree in your back yard - started out as a weed.

A thistle, if planted on purpose, is not a weed.

In addition, I said it LOOKS LIKE a thistle. I also said it is pretty, whatever it is. My opinion doesn't change just because it's considered a "noxious" plant in some states. Lastly, I don't know what would be noxious about a thistle. The definition of "noxious:"
(from the Oxford online dictionary).

Thistles are an important plant for ecology and the natural food chain, and is a significant source for pollinators.

The only "harmful" thing about them would be if you picked one up by its spines. You might prick your fingers. That's pretty much it. There's nothing else about it that is harmful, it's not poisonous to anyone or anything, and it's only unpleasant if you get a spine in your skin - otherwise, it's just a neutral, pretty-colored flower.

Naturally it wouldn’t change you're mind. Aren’t all plants weeds? We just think some are prettier than others. Thistle can over run properties if not controlled (Killed) in some states you can be fined (probably just like J-walking) if you let thistle get out or control, it can take over whole pasture in few years making it useless. Course there are different varieties, thistle where I was raised was ugly obnoxious weed and as teenager I was paid by farmers to kill it.