Seasonal Wild Flowers

Spear Thistle

Cirsium vulgare

Asteraceae

June to September

It is found throughout the country.

See the BSBI distribution map for Spear Thistle

It grows in most types of grassland, on disturbed and

waste ground, by paths, roads and railways, and

both coastal and inland.

Spear Thistle is a robust, prickly, native perennial

herb, growing up to 1.5m.

Flowerheads are up to 4cm with purple florets and

spiny bracts.

Upper bracts are yellow tipped and lower bracts may have

cottony threads.

The stem is variously winged and spiny.

Leaves are spear-shaped, pinnately-lobed and spiny.

The upper surface ranges from dark green to light grey.

The under surface is green.

It is classed as a noxious weed, but control is not apparent.

Spear Thistle, Dorset

Single flowerhead, spiny stem

Florets

Yellow-tipped, spined bracts

Cottony-bracts

Upper leaves

Mid-stem leaf

Lower leaf

Light through lower winged stem

Spear Thistle in hedge