Bull thistle.

De un vistazo

Nivel de cuidados

Fácil

Tipo de planta

Biennial herb

Luz

Full sun

Luz en interior

Sol directo

Riego

Cada 7 a 14 días

Tamaño adulto

5 feet

Ritmo de crecimiento

Rápido

Rusticidad

USDA 3 a 9

Floración

Mid summer to early autumn

Cuidados

This plant thrives in full sun and well drained soil without any special attention. Watch for its aggressive spread, as it can quickly take over garden beds if you don't remove the flower heads before they go to seed. It is quite hardy and rarely needs supplemental care once established.

Riego

Water only during extended dry spells once the plant is established.

Abonado

Fertilizing is generally unnecessary as this plant grows vigorously in most soil conditions.

Poda

Remove flower heads before they turn to seed to prevent unwanted spread.

Trasplante

This plant is rarely grown in containers, but if you do, move it to a larger pot if it becomes root bound.

Suelo

Well drained, fertile soil

pH del suelo

6.0 to 7.5

Temperatura

-30 a 35°C

Humedad

30 a 70%

Tolerancia a la sequía

Moderada

Longevidad

Biennial, typically 2 years.

Fragancia

Suave

Resistencia a ciervos y conejos

Alta

Seguridad

Personas

The plant is not toxic, but the sharp spines can cause significant skin irritation and puncture wounds.

Niños

Keep children away from this plant because the long, stiff spines can easily pierce soft skin.

Alérgenos por contacto

Handling the plant without thick gloves will result in painful skin punctures from the sharp spines.

Alérgenos en el aire

The fine, windborne pappus attached to the seeds can cause respiratory irritation if inhaled in large quantities.

Comestibilidad

While the young stems and roots are technically edible, the sharp spines make harvesting extremely difficult and risky.

Cómo identificarla

• Deeply lobed, prickly leaves
• Large, purple, globe shaped flower heads
• Stems covered in sharp spines
• Rosette form during first year
• Tall, branched flowering stalks

Altura

0,6 a 1,5m

Anchura

0,3 a 0,9m

Hojas

green, gray-green, deciduous

Flores

purple, pink, 3 a 5cm

Frutos

brown, Autumn

Problemas frecuentes

• Rust — Fungal infection causing orange pustules on the undersides of leaves.

Cómo cultivarla

Propagación

seed

Cuándo plantar

spring, autumn

Cuidados en invierno

The first year rosette stays green through winter in mild climates. No special protection is needed.

En maceta

Not recommended for containers due to its deep taproot and aggressive nature.

Plant in areas where you want to support pollinators but can tolerate aggressive spreading.

Buenas compañeras

• Yarrow — They share similar soil and light requirements in open meadows.

Especies parecidas

• Canada thistle — It is a perennial that spreads by rhizomes rather than just seeds.

Ciencia

Familia

Asteraceae

Género

Cirsium

Orden

Asterales

Clase

Magnoliopsida

Distribución natural

Europe, Western Asia, and North Africa.

Conservación

It is considered an invasive weed in many parts of North America and Australia, often subject to local control mandates.

It thrives in disturbed soils and open pastures where it can quickly colonize bare ground.

Valor para la fauna

nectar source, seed source for birds

Polinizadores

abejas, mariposas, polillas

Usos

pollinator garden, wildlife habitat

Taxonomía cotejada con GBIF.

Lo que más preguntan

Is it a perennial?

No, it is a biennial, meaning it completes its life cycle in two years.

How do I get rid of it?

The best method is to cut the taproot below the soil surface before it sets seed.

De dónde viene el nombre

Cirsium comes from the Greek word kirsion, a name used for a type of thistle, while vulgare means common.

Bueno saberlo

• The seeds are a favorite food source for goldfinches.
• It is the national flower of Scotland.
• A single plant can produce thousands of seeds that travel long distances on the wind.