Spear thistle

Family: Asteraceae
Scientific name: Cirsium vulgare
Description: Plant Form: Biennial erect herb. Size: Up to 1.5 m tall. Stem: Interrupted, spiny wings along stems. Leaves: Toothed to lobed, with spiny margins, to 30 cm long, green above and white below. Stem leaves are 4-25 cm long and stalkless, forming a wing. Flowers: Purple, 12-40 mm diameter, with spreading to recurved spines. Fruit and Seeds: 3-6 mm long, light brown, smooth, with parachuting hairs 2-3 cm long. Habitat: Agricultural areas, wasteland, roadsides. Distinguishing Features: Flowerheads wide, solitary or in small clusters whereas Perennial thistle (Cirsium arvense) flowerheads are narrow and grouped in larger clusters. Weed Status: Priority Weed Weed Type: Environmental, Agricultural Lifeform: Herbaceous

Example images for this weed