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Spear Thistle (Bull Thistle)

Cirsium vulgare

Basic Details

Description

Floral Formula

Features

Translations

Basic Details

NameSpear Thistle (Bull Thistle)

DescriptionTall biennial with distinctive purple pom-pom flowers surrounded by spiny bracts. Leaves and stems covered in sharp spines. Native to Europe, now invasive weed in many countries. Classified as noxious weed in several US states and Canada. Spreads aggressively via wind-dispersed seeds. Despite invasive nature, valuable for pollinators - attracts bees, butterflies, goldfinches. Young stems and roots edible. Used in herbal medicine.

FamilyAsteraceae

GenusCirsium

TribeCynareae

Floral Formula & Features

Floral FormulaEBr ⊕ ⚥ K(pappus) C(5) A(5) G(2)

Ebracteate (but spiny bracts present), radially symmetrical (actinomorphic), bisexual, calyx modified to pappus (feathery bristles for seed dispersal), 5 fused petals forming tubular florets, 5 stamens fused into tube, 2 fused carpels with inferior ovary. Composite flower head typical of Asteraceae

Features

Name 'Spear Thistle' from spear-like spines on leaves. 'Cirsium' from Greek 'kirsos' (swollen vein) - used to treat varicose veins. About 200 Cirsium species. C. vulgare most common and widespread. Called Bull Thistle for aggressive nature. National emblem of Scotland. Introduced to Americas, Australia, New Zealand as contaminant
Flower heads 1-2 inches (2.5-5 cm) across, purple-pink (rarely white). Fluffy appearance from numerous tubular florets. Surrounded by spiny green bracts. Blooms summer-fall (June-October). Each plant produces 100-400 flower heads. Each head produces 100-200 seeds. Single plant can produce 40,000 seeds
Biennial - rosette first year, flowering stem second year. First year: low rosette of spiny leaves. Second year: tall flowering stem 2-6 feet, then dies. Leaves deeply lobed with sharp yellow spines on edges and surface. Stems winged with spiny ridges. Entire plant covered in prickles
Grows 2-6 feet (60-180 cm) tall in bloom, occasionally to 10 feet. Spread 1-2 feet. Lifespan 2 years (biennial). Propagated from seed only. Seeds viable 20+ years in soil. Wind-dispersed seeds (pappus) travel miles. Germinates spring or fall
Native to Europe, western Asia, North Africa. Now invasive in North America, South America, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa. Found in pastures, roadsides, disturbed areas, waste ground. Thrives in full sun, poor soil. Declared noxious weed in many regions
Thrives in full sun (6+ hours). Tolerates wide range of soils - prefers disturbed, poorly-aerated soil. Drought tolerant. Very adaptable and aggressive. Hardy zones 3-10. Difficult to control once established. Deep taproot makes pulling difficult. Mow before flowering to prevent seed spread
WARNING: Invasive noxious weed - do not plant. Excellent for pollinators - attracts bees, butterflies (especially painted ladies), hummingbirds. Goldfinches eat seeds. Young stems, roots, flower receptacles edible (remove spines). Used in herbal medicine for liver, digestion. Fiber from stems used historically
Control: Mow or cut before flowering. Dig out taproot (wear thick gloves). Repeated cutting exhausts root. Herbicides effective on rosettes. Biological control: weevils, moths in some regions. Never let go to seed - one plant produces thousands. Check local regulations - illegal to allow growth in some areas

Names in Different Languages

Latin / ScientificCirsium vulgare

English (Alternate)Thistle, Bull Thistle, Scotch Thistle

Hindiकँटीला (Kantila)

Tamilகண்டங்கத்திரி (Kandankathiri), கடுமுள் (Kadumul), பால் நெருஞ்சில் (Pal Nerunjil)

Teluguకంటకారి (Kantakari), కంటతారికా (Kantatarika), చిత్రఫలా (Chitraphala), పసరకటేలీ (Pasarakaṭēlī), పసరతాలికా (Pasaratālika), ప్రపూరికా (Prapūrikā), బహుకంటా (Bahukaṇṭā), భటకటాయీ (Bhaṭakaṭāyī), సింహికా (Simhikā), హేమపుష్పి (Hemapuṣpi)

Malayalamകാരമുള്ള് (Kāramuḷḷu), ഞെരിഞ്ഞില് (Nerin̄jil), മുള്‍ച്ചെടി (Muḷcceti)

Kannadaಮುಳ್ಳು ಗಿಡ (mullu gida)

Sanskritमुण्डि (Mundi), श्रावणी कदम्बः (shravani kadambah), अलम्बुस्ता (alambusta)

Bengaliদুধলি ফুল (Dudhli Phool), বৈরাগীকাঁটা (Bairagikanta), শিয়ালকাঁটা (Shiyal Kanta)

Frenchchardon lancéolé

Russianчертополох (chertopolokh)

SpanishCardo de burro, Cardo borriqueño

GermanSpeerdistel, Gemeine Kratzdistel, Lanzettblättrige Kratzdistel

What is Floral Formula?

A floral formula is a symbolic representation of a flower's structure using letters, numbers, and special symbols. It provides a concise way to describe the arrangement and number of floral parts.

Example Formula

% K(6) C1+2+(2) A(9) G₂

This formula describes the flower's symmetry, sepals, petals, stamens, and carpels in a standardized format.