Family: Asteraceae Spear Thistle Cirsium vulgare Flowering time: June-October. Biennial Can be abundant on disturbed ground, grasslands and roadsides throughout England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland. Erect globular flower-heads appearing slightly cottony bearing deep purple flowers with prickly green outer bracts. The wavy, deeply pinnate leaves end in sharp prickles. Leaves are cottony beneath, rough and slightly prickly above. stems with spiny wings. Height 70-150cm

   


Spear Thistle, Cirsium vulgare
Badbury Rings, Dorset. August 2012