Bull thistle

From Turf Wiki

• Scientific Name: Cirsium vulgare (Savi) Tenore

Bull thistle has larger spines on the end of the leaves than does Canada thistle. The upper leaf surface is rough.

Bull thistle is a biennial that forms a basal rosette during its first year. Unlike Cananda thistle that spreads by rhizomes, bull thistle forms a taproot

Bull thistle basal rosette appearance in late winter

• Common Names: Bull thistle, Black thistle, Common thistle, Fuller's thistle, Plume thistle, Ostrozen lancetowaty (Polish), Piikkiohdake, Scotch thistle, Skotse dissel, Spear Thistle, Speerdissel, Swamp thistle

• Climatic Zone: Temperate

• Geographic Distribution: Europe, North America, South America, Africa, East Asia, Australia

• Life Cycle: biennial

• Photosynthetic Apparatus: C3

• Major Identifying Characteristic: Large spines on ends of leaf. Rough upper leaf surface.