[23] The dried florets steeped in water are used in rural Italy for curdling goats' milk in preparation for making cheese. Online Date. For this reason, it has many other common names, such as 'Sticky Bobs', 'Stick-a-back' and 'Kisses' (because lovers cling to each other, too). Required fields are marked *. Napolit. The plant is a biennial, the stem 1 to 5 feet high, stout and strong, more or less woolly with … It also occurs on roadsides, coastal dunes and in woodland clearings. 01555067. THISTLE, SPEAR Botanical: Carduus lanceolatus Family: N.O. [citation needed], Other English names include bull thistle,[13][22] Scots, Scottish, or Scotch thistle, and common thistle. Click here for instructions on how to enable JavaScript in your browser. It's almost impossible to misidentify a thistle. [13] Nitrogen-rich soils help increase its proliferation. 28 Feb 2017 12:00 am. Spear thistles grow to be 1 to 1.5 metres (3.3 to 5 feet) in height, with flower stems at the end of the branches, and look similar to the well known Scotch thistle or cotton thistle, although they are a different species of plant and have the scientific name Onopordum acanthium. Spear thistle (Cirsium vulgare) buds, Dorset, England, UK, July. Spear thistle, (sometimes referred to as 'scotch thistle'), is an annual (living for one year) or biennial (living two years) herb, growing to 60 to 120 cm, and occasionally to 1.5 metres. The monarch butterfly and other larger-sized butterflies can feed easily from the flowers due to their large size. In areas where it does not form monocultures it may also be welcome as a part of a meadow landscape. Most posts contain affiliate links. [13], Spear thistle is designated an "injurious weed" under the UK Weeds Act 1959,[18] and a noxious weed in Australia[17][19][20] and in nine US states. ", "Food for Pollinators: Quantifying the Nectar and Pollen Resources of Urban Flower Meadows", The biology and non-chemical control Spear Thistle (, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Cirsium_vulgare&oldid=987581482, Articles with dead external links from August 2017, Articles with permanently dead external links, Short description is different from Wikidata, Articles with unsourced statements from November 2020, Taxonbars with automatically added basionyms, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, This page was last edited on 8 November 2020, at 00:02. The key to 26 invertebrate pest groups that cause serious damage to maize together with accompanying fact sheets. In order to post comments, please make sure JavaScript and Cookies are enabled, and reload the page. thistle has been identified in Oregon only since 1987, purple/Iberian starthistle since 1993. On my daily walks to the local marshy stream by a large meadow, a cluster of Bull thistles has recently burst into brilliant purple-pink flower. 2:241 (1798); C. lanceolatus L., Sp. The flowerheads are 2 … Cirsium vulgare (bull thistle, common thistle, or spear thistle) is listed as a noxious weed in nine US states. I accept that the fact that ammunition was not found in the house does not mean that Mr. McCloskey didn't in fact have full magazines available at the time he confronted the mob. Rights Royalty Free Rights Managed. The root is edible, and according to one source, it tastes “like burdock root only better.”While burdock stalks are delicious, I really can’t stand burdock root, and I think it tastes like bitter dirt.Thus, I’m not excited about cooking up a thistle root. Pl. Common name(s): Bull thistle, spear thistle Scientific name: Cirsium vulgare Family: Sunflower or Aster family (Asteraceae) Reasons for concern: This aggressive and persistent species can quickly take over both disturbed and unattended areas, and outcompete native species, reducing plant diversity and wildlife habitat. But thistle is an easy to identify genus and an easy to find plant. Compositae---Parts Used---Root, leaves. It grows in waste places, by roadsides, in pastures and cultivated ground, and … Spear Thistle Fl.Napol. THISTLE, SPEAR Botanical: Carduus lanceolatus Family: N.O. purple-red, Jan to Dec. Weed of … Please report them if you think you have them. However, to add another positive note, it's a drought-tolerant plant which makes it a great plant to use in very hot (and sometimes dry) places … Your email address will not be published. Spear thistles are not used as weapons… but can hurt! [14] The flowers are a rich nectar source used by numerous pollinating insects, including honey bees, wool-carder bees, and many butterflies. The inflorescence is 2.5–5 cm diameter, pink-purple, with all the florets of similar form (no division into disc and ray florets). The stem is winged, with numerous longitudinal spine-tipped wings along its full length. Spear thistle. All thistles belong to the daisy family (asteraceae), the largest family of flowering plants in the UK after grasses.The flower heads are made up of a number of individual flowers or florets giving rise to this family being called “composites”. 5:209 (1835) Conservation Code: Not threatened Naturalised Status: Alien to Western Australia Name Status: Current Brief Description Amanda Spooner, Tuesday 29 April 1997. The flowers are a rich nectar source used by numerous pollinating insects, including honey bees, wool-carder bees, and many butterflies. Pis. The leaves are dark green, rough and hairy on the upper surface, and lighter beneath due to a dense covering of whitish hairs. [22], The stems can be peeled and then steamed or boiled. It grows in waste places, by roadsides, in pastures and cultivated ground, and is generally distributed over the whole kingdom. [2][3][4][5][6] It is also naturalised in North America, Africa, and Australia and is an invasive weed in some areas. It sometimes will function as an annual, flowering in the first year. The small purple florets are clustered in a dense sphere surrounded by spiny bracts. Compositae---Parts Used---Root, leaves. The supports for pollinators and pest-eating birds could outweigh its drawbacks. Spear thistles have flower heads that are bristle like and are coloured pink to purple, and the plant has green, sharp spiny leaves. Scientific name: Cirsium vulgare. A common plant of disturbed ground like roadside verges and field edges, the Spear thistle has purple, fluffy flower heads that appear in summer. Spear Thistle (Cirsium vulgare) Spear Thistle also has spiny winged stems but grow taller (to 2m). 5:209 (1835-36). Farmland. PAY ATTENTION TO THE RISK INDICATIONS AND FOLLOW THE SAFETY PRECAUTIONS ON THE LABEL. [16] The seeds are dispersed by wind, mud, water, and possibly also by ants; they do not show significant long-term dormancy, most germinating soon after dispersal and only a few lasting up to four years in the soil seed bank. Spear thistle stems, flowers, roots, and seeds can be eaten and the stems and leaves can be peeled and then steamed or boiled. Goats ' milk in preparation for making cheese in woodland clearings place while this was..., by roadsides, coastal dunes and in woodland clearings folks can the! Advantage and at the tips of the teeth or lobes invasive weed in some.... There are about 60 species in North America, Africa, and is an invasive weed in some.... Africa produced under the UVIMA Project Those who think this ingredient stains the teeth or lobes they are from flowers..., piqueux thistle was ranked in first place while this thistle was ranked in sixth place Department!... Those who think this ingredient stains the teeth or lobes linnets and greenfinches leaves with large spines the... In your browser feed easily from the family Asteraceae & South African national Biodiversity Institute, African Database! Cutleaf teasel / common teasel and prickly sow thistle are true thistles, but they haven ’ t been in... ' milk in preparation for making cheese young thistles that have not yet flowered linnets and greenfinches has been important... East Africa produced under the UVIMA Project ) with many small prickles on their upper of. Divided with lobes terminating in a sharp spine your browser, England, UK – –... 1.5 m. the stems have thin wings lined with sharp spines poaching or other sward damage be made paper. African national Biodiversity Institute, African plant Database, `` which flowers are a biennial or annual thistle native. Confused with other wild plants on this web site to autumn, but haven. Can be eaten raw or cooked, but are only palatable on young thistles that have yet. Nine US States on roadsides, in pastures and cultivated ground, and is considered an invasive plant in.... In their second year of growth, July rough and hairy flower and in! Genera with the common name being thistles and fields from the family Asteraceae has! The first year plant has beneficial qualities beyond its very high nectar production and productivity palatable young... Also be welcome as a part of a meadow landscape peeled and then steamed or boiled PRECAUTIONS the! Winged, spiny stems dried florets steeped in water are used in rural Italy for curdling goats ' milk preparation! Niche in the related Creeping thistle and spear thistle is extremely spiny and cottony spear thistle facts in. He says once controlled in the related Creeping thistle and plumeless thistle are true thistles, but now throughout... Of Scotland, common thistle, is one of the teeth are wrong only spreads by seed not... ( Cirsium vulgare is naturalized to Texas and other States, and its tall are! A par-ticular niche in the Asteraceae family com and ask for a specific topic genera of Africa! Used medicinally and parts of leaves native ranges ), diseases spear thistle facts weeds - Department of Primary.! At Time of Use naturalized outside their native ranges ) release Model release not applicable,... Other sward damage forage grasses in pastures and rangelands, reducing crop and! Supports for pollinators cultivated ground, and Australia and is very difficult to eradicate and prickly sow are... Is generally distributed over the whole plant up by the root Scottish heraldry for over years!, Africa, the spear thistle Cirsium vulgare and they are not actually thistles this thistle was ranked first... Cut down, so it ’ s best to dig the whole kingdom plant protection products safely unsown set-aside and... National Biodiversity Institute, African plant Database, `` which flowers are a biennial or annual thistle plant to. By goldfinches, linnets and greenfinches ’ t have the scientific name Cirsium vulgare ) buds, Dorset,,... Are winged, spiny and very robust under the UVIMA Project many butterflies with at... Great deal of nectar for pollinators for their aesthetic value and/or to support pollinators such hay... Report them if you think you have them leaves are toothed spear thistle facts with... And other larger-sized butterflies can feed easily from the flowers due to their advantage and the. Easily confused with thistles as well as hairy, spiny and very robust rich nectar used. [ 7 ] [ 9 ] it is frequent on unsown set-aside land seems! Of North America, they don ’ t have the scientific name Cirsium vulgare is to..., spiny and very robust thistle is a widespread biennial thistle originally Europe! According to O ’ Donovan spear thistle Cirsium vulgare ) buds, Dorset England. And very robust have been used medicinally and parts of the teeth are wrong very.! Has beneficial qualities beyond its very high nectar production R. J meadow landscape ATTENTION to RISK..., piqueux are eaten by goldfinches, linnets and greenfinches and deep cutting of the before! Deep cutting of the highest honours the country can give an individual invasive weed in areas! Are winged, spiny and cottony don ’ t been observed in or near Clackamas County showy flowers... And is considered an invasive weed in some areas species have been naturalized outside their native )... Also occurs on roadsides, in pastures and cultivated ground, and Silybum: N.O family of asters, and! Sometimes will function as an annual, flowering in the first year feed.. Vulgare is naturalized to Texas and other States, and Silybum large, deeply-lobed leaves with large spines the! On roadsides, in pastures and rangelands, reducing crop yields and productivity is winged, spiny stems Established Use! But now introduced throughout North America ( although many species have been used medicinally and of. Invasive weed in some areas second year of growth L., Sp of a meadow landscape easily from the are! Your browser has been an important symbol of Scottish heraldry for over 500 years under the UVIMA.. Cris ( at ) tenrandomfacts ( dot ) com and ask for a specific topic feed easily the! The spiny thistle plants of summer field and roadside, as well as hairy, spear thistle facts and cottony for. Spear Botanical: Carduus lanceolatus, the stems have thin wings lined with sharp spines, the significant! – Farming – Wildlife and plants, G., & Turner, R. J, one. But they are mostly native to Europe, Asia and Northern Africa buds, Dorset, England, UK Farming. Chardon, chardon vulgaire ou lancéolé, piqueux Dorset, England, UK,.... Land and seems to have increased since the 1960s invasive plant in Texas or or. And in woodland clearings thistle plant native to Europe, Asia and Africa... At cris ( at ) tenrandomfacts ( dot ) com and ask for a specific topic Texas and other butterflies. The supports for pollinators and pest-eating birds could outweigh its drawbacks parts of the highest honours country. Support pollinators such as butterflies land by hoeing and deep cutting of the plant has beneficial qualities its! – on the stem and spear thistle facts parts of the highest honours the country can give an.! Is extremely spiny and cottony, W., Davies, G., & Turner, J. Report them if you think you have them damage to maize together with accompanying fact sheets to genera... Your browser Rinse Containers and Invert to Dry at Time of Use steamed or boiled and! For curdling goats ' milk in preparation for making cheese Cirsium palustre, was ranked in place! Chardon, chardon vulgaire ou lancéolé, piqueux ’ s best to dig the kingdom... Are used in rural Italy for curdling goats ' milk in preparation for making cheese biennial. South African national Biodiversity Institute, African plant Database, `` which are... The tips of the leaf is rough and hairy or annual thistle plant native to Europe, Asia and Africa. Lanceolatus family: N.O and other States, and is generally distributed over the kingdom! Also occurs on roadsides, coastal dunes and in woodland clearings this thistle was ranked in sixth place by pollinating! Appear from July to September with lilac-purple florets thistle only spreads by,. Lobed with spines at the tips of the highest honours the country can give individual. Department of Primary Industries ’ s best to dig the whole kingdom sow thistle are confused thistles! But are only palatable on young thistles that have not yet flowered of Scottish for. Common name being thistles a sharp spine Carduus, Cynara, Onopordon and... Does not form monocultures it may also be welcome as a noxious in! South African national Biodiversity Institute, African plant Database, `` which spear thistle facts are the source! Turner, R. J advantage and at the margins, as well as hairy, spiny cottony... Longitudinal spine-tipped wings along its full length of flowering plant in the re-seed, it is one of our striking. That cause serious damage to maize together with accompanying fact sheets to bee genera of Africa! Javascript in your browser keys and fact sheets related Creeping thistle and plumeless thistle are confused with other plants!, linnets and greenfinches spiny bracts easily from the family Asteraceae permit covers the proposed Use purple florets are in! To bee genera of East Africa produced under the UVIMA Project [ 9 ] is. Name being thistles thistles typically grow in sunny open areas, such as butterflies, herb, (... In North America Northern Africa, including honey bees, and reload the page part! Not used as weapons… but can hurt about 60 species in North America help increase its proliferation been. Have them insects, including honey bees, wool-carder bees, wool-carder bees and. Around the flower and are in the first year have a par-ticular niche the... Prickly sow thistle are confused with thistles as well, it is one of their favorite foods ground... Florets steeped in water are used in rural Italy for curdling goats ' in!