British Columbia Outdoor Wilderness Guide |
- Bull
Thistle
(Cirsium vulgare)
-
The Bull Thistle is a biennial, in the aster
family, grows from 30-200 cm. tall. In the first
year, Bull Thistle is merely a low-growing group
of prickly leaves, while in the second year
the stems grow to become woody and branched
- LEAVES:
- -
Bull Thistle leaves are long, sharp and deeply
lobed
- -
spines on the upper surfaces and on the tips
- -
the base of the leaves attach to the stem like
protruding spines
- FLOWERS:
- -
purple disk flowers of large composite heads
- -
set upon an orb of overlapping green bracts
that is completely covered by spines
- FRUIT:
- -
one seeded and shiny brown
- -
covered with fluffy white bristles
- HABITAT:
- -
Bull Thistle is found in low to mid elevations
- -
clearings and pastures and other areas of disturbance
- FASCINATING
FACTS:
- -
Bull Thistle was imported from Europe & Asia
- -
It is the only thistle that has a spines on
the surface of the leaf
- -
The Bull Thistle flowers are enjoyed by insects
and butterflies
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