British Columbia Outdoor Wilderness Guide               |   
    
			
 
 
                   
                     
                       
                         
                          
                              
                               
                               
                                - Bull 
                                  Thistle 
 
                                  (Cirsium vulgare) 
                                
                             
                             
                              -  
                                
 
                                  The Bull Thistle is a biennial, in the aster 
                                  family, grows from 30-200 cm. tall. In the first 
                                  year, Bull Thistle is merely a low-growing group 
                                  of prickly leaves, while in the second year 
                                  the stems grow to become woody and branched 
                                   
                              
                               
                             
                             
                              
                               
                                - LEAVES: 
                                   
                                
 - - 
                                  Bull Thistle leaves are long, sharp and deeply 
                                  lobed  
                                
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                                  spines on the upper surfaces and on the tips 
                                   
                                
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                                  the base of the leaves attach to the stem like 
                                  protruding spines  
                              
    
                               
                                - FLOWERS: 
                                   
                                
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                                  purple disk flowers of large composite heads 
                                   
                                
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                                  set upon an orb of overlapping green bracts 
                                  that is completely covered by spines  
                              
   
                               
                                - FRUIT: 
                                   
                                
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                                  one seeded and shiny brown  
                                
- - 
                                  covered with fluffy white bristles  
                              
   
                               
                                - HABITAT: 
                                   
                                
 - - 
                                  Bull Thistle is found in low to mid elevations 
                                   
                                
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                                  clearings and pastures and other areas of disturbance 
                                   
                              
   
                               
                                - FASCINATING 
                                  FACTS:  
                                
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                                  Bull Thistle was imported from Europe & Asia 
                                   
                                
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                                  It is the only thistle that has a spines on 
                                  the surface of the leaf  
                                
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                                  The Bull Thistle flowers are enjoyed by insects 
                                  and butterflies
                              
    
                             
                           
                         
                       
                      
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