Bull thistle.

En un coup d'œil

Niveau d'entretien

Facile

Type de plante

Biennial herb

Lumière

Full sun

Lumière en intérieur

Soleil direct

Arrosage

Tous les 7 à 14 jours

Taille adulte

5 feet

Croissance

Rapide

Rusticité

USDA 3 à 9

Floraison

Mid summer to early autumn

Entretien

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.

Arrosage

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

Engrais

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

Taille

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

Rempotage

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

Sol

Well drained, fertile soil

pH du sol

6.0 to 7.5

Température

-30 à 35°C

Humidité

30 à 70%

Résistance à la sécheresse

Moyenne

Durée de vie

Biennial, typically 2 years.

Parfum

Léger

Résistance aux chevreuils et lapins

Élevée

Sécurité

Humains

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

Enfants

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

Allergènes de contact

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

Allergènes aéroportés

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

Comestibilité

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

Comment l'identifier

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

Hauteur

0,6 à 1,5m

Envergure

0,3 à 0,9m

Feuilles

green, gray-green, deciduous

Fleurs

purple, pink, 3 à 5cm

Fruits

brown, Autumn

Problèmes courants

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

La cultiver

Multiplication

seed

Quand planter

spring, autumn

Hivernage

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

En pot

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.

Bonnes associations

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

Espèces similaires

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

Science

Famille

Asteraceae

Genre

Cirsium

Ordre

Asterales

Classe

Magnoliopsida

Région d'origine

Europe, Western Asia, and North Africa.

Préservation

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.

Intérêt pour la faune

nectar source, seed source for birds

Pollinisateurs

abeilles, papillons, papillons de nuit

Utilisations

pollinator garden, wildlife habitat

Taxonomie vérifiée avec le GBIF.

Ce qu'on demande souvent

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.

D'où vient le nom

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

Bon à savoir

• 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.