Bull Thistle

Common Name: Bull Thistle

Botanical Name: Cirsium vulgare (Savi) Tenore

Family: Asteraceae

Life Cycle: Biennial (spreads by seed)

Defining Identification Characteristics:

• Large spines protruding from leaf points

• Leaves alternate, lobed and spiny

• Upright, often branched stems

• Pink or purple flowers with spiny bracts

• Large taproot

Common habitat:

• Turfgrass

• Landscape gardens

Noxious Weed List/Legal Status:

Eradicate Control Restricted Specially Regulated Not Listed

Additional Information:

Bull thistle (Cirsium vulgare) | Minnesota DNR