Spear thistle - Cirsium vulgare

Common Name :	Spear thistle.
Binomial Name :	Cirsium vulgare
Family :	Asteraceae
Photo Taken :	Ireland

Botanical Identity and Native Range

Cirsium vulgare, commonly known as spear thistle or bull thistle, is a biennial plant in the Asteraceae family. It is native to Europe, western Asia, and northern Africa but has spread widely across temperate regions of the world, where it often grows as a weed. It thrives in disturbed areas, grasslands, pastures, and roadsides. Its bold structure and spiny appearance make it easily recognizable in the wild.

Plant Description

Cirsium vulgare is a tall, erect biennial plant that can grow up to 1.5–2 meters in height during its second year. In the first year, it forms a basal rosette of large, deeply lobed, spiny leaves. In the second year, it sends up a branched flowering stem covered in stiff hairs and sharp spines. The leaves are dark green with a rough texture and feature prominent white midribs. Its robust taproot allows it to survive in poor, compacted soils.

Flowers and Fruit Characteristics

The flowers of Cirsium vulgare are bright purple to reddish-purple, composed of many tiny tubular florets gathered into large, globe-shaped heads about 3–5 cm across. These are surrounded by layers of sharp, spiny bracts. The plant blooms from mid to late summer, attracting bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. After flowering, it produces dry achenes attached to a feathery pappus, which aids in wind dispersal—helping the plant spread efficiently over large areas.

Uses and Cultural Significance

Although often regarded as a noxious weed due to its aggressive spread and sharp spines, Cirsium vulgare does have ecological and historical value. It provides nectar and pollen for many insects, and its seeds are eaten by birds such as finches. In traditional herbal medicine, various parts of the plant were used for their astringent and diuretic properties, though it is not widely used in modern practice. Its ability to colonize disturbed ground also helps with initial soil stabilization.

Photos of this Spear thistle (Cirsium vulgare) were taken from the following locations:
1) July 2016: War memorial garden, Dublin, Ireland.


Written by Lonely Traveler,
For blog icflora.blogspot.com