Quote Originally Posted by sailortats View Post
From what I was told some time ago by a policeman friend of mine, the thistle is forbidden in California and anyone growing it is subject to a hefty fine. I asked my nursery for one once as that is also the plant badge of the Stewart clan. They told me it could not be imported to Calif. and my police friend verified that fact.
Looking at Canadian thistle range maps it ranges from Alaska, Canada, and the bulk of the USA minus a few south-eastern states, I'd guess that despite Californias banning it's likely still growing all over the wilds of (mostly) northern California.