Ants on Musk Thistles

Question

I am in Colorado and decided to make a bouquet cause I was bored out of wild flowers around. So I picked (carefully) a bunch of musk thistles and I found a lot of them were COVERED (stem wise) in little black ants. They were crawling over these things like crazy, I had to wash the flowers before bringing them into the house. Does anyone know why they are so attracted to them?

Also does anyone actually LIKE musk thistles beside me out there? I know they're a weed, but a weed is defined as a plant growing where it's not wanted, and I like them so doesn't that make them not weeds to me? Oh well. Give me your thoughts people!

Answer 1

not for sure, but i would guess that it must have an attractive sent to them and they love to eat :)

but as for the weeds. well i have a tendency (which my husband hates) to dig up "weeds" and bringing them home. we go 4 wheeling in the hills and I go flower shopping lol. I think like you, it's only a weed if I don't want it there. :)