Available


A widespread and common thistle, the Spear Thistle can be found on disturbed and cultivated ground such as pastures, roadside verges and field edges. Its classic thistle appearance - purple, fluffy-looking flowers sitting atop a spiny ball - may well have given rise to the Scottish national emblem. As with other thistles, it can become a nuisance on agricultural land and these species are often considered to be weeds.

The Spear Thistle has flower heads with bright pink florets (tiny flowers) and a ball of spiny bracts (leaf-like structures) that appear from July to October. Its leaves are grey-green and spiny, and its tall stems are winged, spiny and cottony.

Flower | Purple | Blue | Thistle | Spike | Weed