As in other species of Cirsium (but unlike species in the related genus Carduus), the pappus hairs are feathery with fine side hairs. (wikipedia.org)
some suspect that it is either cotton thistle (Onopordum acanthium) or musk thistle (Carduus nutans), but others are certain that it is spear thistle (Cirsium vulgare). (amsterdamumcflowerfields.nl)
Any of several perennial composite plants , especially of genera Cirsium , Carduus , Cynara , or Onopordum , having prickly leaves and showy flower heads with prickly bracts . (wiktionary.org)
Asteraceae1
Cirsium vulgare, the spear thistle, bull thistle, or common thistle, is a species of the Asteraceae genus Cirsium, native throughout most of Europe (north to 66°N, locally 68°N), Western Asia (east to the Yenisei Valley), and northwestern Africa (Atlas Mountains). (wikipedia.org)
Order of the4
Thistles are an important national emblem in Scotland - the highest state honour that can be awarded is The Order of the Thistle. (islayprints.co.uk)
So now I appear on all sorts of Scottish emblems and coins, and since 1687 there's even been an 'Order of the Thistle' - the highest order of chivalry in the land - with admission awarded to Scots who have made a particularly outstanding contribution to national life. (amsterdamumcflowerfields.nl)
The plant has many heraldic connections and is associated with the Order of the Thistle which in the 17th century adopted the wonderful motto, Nemo me impune lacessit (nobody attacks me with impunity) no doubt in reference to the spines. (utkilts.com)
The Order of the Thistle , or membership thereof. (wiktionary.org)
Flora Europaea: Cirsium vulgare Den Virtuella Floran: Cirsium vulgare (in Swedish, with maps) Altervista Flora Italiana, Cardo asinino, Cirsium vulgare (Savi) Ten. (wikipedia.org)
Flora of China, 翼蓟 yi ji, Cirsium vulgare (Savi) Tenore Flora of North America, Bull or common or spear thistle, gros chardon, chardon vulgaire ou lancéolé, piqueux, Cirsium vulgare (Savi) Tenore Atlas of Living Australia, Cirsium vulgare (Savi) Ten. (wikipedia.org)
Black Thistle Conservatoire et Jardin botaniques & South African National Biodiversity Institute, African Plant Database, Cirsium vulgare (Savi) Ten. (wikipedia.org)
Biennial or short-lived monocarpic2
Spear thistle is a robust biennial or short-lived monocarpic perennial that can be a serious problem in grassland and waste and cultivated ground throughout the UK. (gardenorganic.org.uk)
It is a tall biennial or short-lived monocarpic thistle, forming a rosette of leaves and a taproot up to 70 cm long in the first year, and a flowering stem 1-1.5 m tall in the second (rarely third or fourth) year. (wikipedia.org)
North America1
Bull thistle (also known as spear thistle) is another invasive thistle that has spread across most of North America and is most frequently found in disturbed habitats. (photoshelter.com)
Onopordum2
About the Scottish thistle from scotland.gov: "The plant we know as the Scotch thistle, Onopordum acanthium, is not native. (utkilts.com)
Scotch thistle ( Onopordum acanthium et al. (wiktionary.org)
Cynara1
The Cynara cardunculus or Cardoon, also known as the artichoke thistle, grew abundantly around the Mediterranean and was well exploited by the Romans and on the Iberian Peninsula. (cheeseconnoisseur.com)
Palustre1
Marsh thistle, Cirsium palustre, was ranked in first place while this thistle was ranked in sixth place. (wikipedia.org)
Scotch1
The most likely candidate for the true Scotch thistle is the native spear thistle - Cirsium vulgare - abundant in Scotland and very similar to the depictions on early Scottish coins. (utkilts.com)
Next to the kilt, the bagpipes and whisky, there is nothing quite as Scottish as the thistle. (amsterdamumcflowerfields.nl)
As they crept towards the Scottish warriors, one of them stepped right on a thistle, yelled out in pain, and immediately woke the Scots. (amsterdamumcflowerfields.nl)
The Scottish troops engaged the Northmen, vanquished them, and adopted the purple thistle, which had saved the day, as their national symbol. (amsterdamumcflowerfields.nl)
Abundant1
This iconic species, the Spear Thistle is abundant here on The Oa, Islay. (islayprints.co.uk)
Rosettes3
The frost turns the thistle rosettes into works of art. (gardentags.com)
Spear thistle flowers in June and July but rosettes can survive for up to 4 years without flowering. (gardenorganic.org.uk)
Spear thistle rosettes grow better in grazed than ungrazed pasture because of reduced competition from neighbouring plants. (gardenorganic.org.uk)
Spear thistle is designated an "injurious weed" under the UK Weeds Act 1959, and a noxious weed in Australia and in nine US states. (wikipedia.org)
But there are also often overlooked weeds, such as the Bull or Spear Thistle (Cirsium vulgare) that can be found elsewhere taking root in backyards. (cheeseconnoisseur.com)
Seeds3
Fewer than 10 seedlings are likely to develop from the seeds shed by an individual thistle plant. (gardenorganic.org.uk)
The Spear Thistle uses seeds to reproduce, and uses the wind to distribute the seeds. (royalbcmuseum.bc.ca)
The seeds of this thistle are an excellent food source for goldfinches. (birdwatchinghq.com)
Species1
Spear thistle is often a ruderal species, colonising bare disturbed ground, but also persists well on heavily grazed land as it is unpalatable to most grazing animals. (wikipedia.org)
Bull2
Bull Thistle is a common wildflower in South Carolina. (birdwatchinghq.com)
Information on habit, biology, persistence & spread for Spear thistle. (gardenorganic.org.uk)
Canada thistle is a tough weed, but with persistence you can get rid of it! (farmfoodfamily.com)
20201
We sketched this thistle outside our house one sunny day in July 2020. (islayprints.co.uk)
Plants1
Spear thistle can be pulled out when in flower, or the taproot may be cut below ground when plants are at the rosette stage using a thistle hoe. (gardenorganic.org.uk)
Emblem1
The 1992 specimen measured six feet in length Spear thistle is also the emblem of Newton Regis in England. (wikipedia.org)
Common1
the Dandelions, the Spear Thistle, and the Common Yarrow. (royalbcmuseum.bc.ca)
Plant3
Cirsium vulgare is mostly regarded as a weed or undesirable plant. (sanbi.org)
Plant-derived enzymes were produced from fig sap, safflower, nettle, thistle and a variety of wild flowers. (cheeseconnoisseur.com)
To remove Canada thistle, first cut the plant down to ground level. (farmfoodfamily.com)
Important3
Spear thistle reproduces only by seed and it is important to prevent fresh seeding. (gardenorganic.org.uk)
Well, I am said to have a detoxifying and purifying effect on the liver, so they think that a bit of milk thistle detox will bring that important organ back into tip-top condition in no time. (amsterdamumcflowerfields.nl)
Canada thistle can spread quickly, so early detection and removal is important. (farmfoodfamily.com)
Flowers1
Cirsium vulgare thistle bears flowers and, once dried, can be harvested for its stamens. (cheeseconnoisseur.com)
Names1
Both my names, 'Mary thistle' and 'milk thistle', refer to my white-veined leaves. (amsterdamumcflowerfields.nl)
Left1
Below, from left to right Spear Thistle (Cirsium vulgare), Meadow Cranesbill (Geranium pratense) and Bittersweet Nightshade (Solanum dulcamara) which will shortly develop red berries. (albionmillenniumgreen.online)