Cirsium vulgare

Common Name: 
bull thistle
Scientific Name: 
Cirsium vulgare (Savi) Tenore    syn.  Carduus vulgare
Family Name: 
Asteraceae (Compositae) - Aster or Sunflower Family
Identification Notes
Life Cycle
introduced biennial, reproducing by seed
Stems
upright, branching, spiny, hairy; appear winged as leaf base continues down stem
Growth Habit of Bull Thistle
Growth Habit of Bull Thistle
Growth Habit of Bull Thistle
Growth Habit of Bull Thistle
Growth Habit of Bull Thistle
Leaves
alternate, lanceolate, coarse hairs above, fine hairs below; deep cut margins, lobes with stiff spines, some lobes at right angles to leaf
Leaves of Bull Thistle
Leaves of Bull Thistle
Flowers
heads of reddish-purple disk (tubulate) florets; spiny tipped bracts; terminal, solitary or clustered
Flowers of Bull Thistle
Flowers of Bull Thistle
Flowers of Bull Thistle