How do you identify a bull thistle?

Bull thistle (Cirsium vulgare) is a biennial that true to its name, has notable spines. This plant is much different than Canada thistle. The foliage of bull thistle has stiff hairs on top and a woolly appearance on the bottom; while Canada thistle is smooth on top and either smooth or hairy on the underside.

What does bull thistle look like?

Bull thistle is a moderately large wildflower measuring approximately 60-180 cm. in height. It is most easily recognized by its spine-covered fruit and bright pink or white flower cluster positioned atop the terminal shoot. The spiny-winged stem and long leaves are robust and are covered densely with sharp spines.

What is the difference between bull thistle and milk thistle?

The most common are Canada (Cirsium arvense) and bull (Cirsium vulgare) thistle. While all thistles share similarities, only milk thistle has green and white marbled leaves. Both bull thistle and milk thistle have sharp, spiny bracts surrounding the flower head, but those found on bull thistle are smaller and denser.

Does milk thistle have a look alike?

Milk thistle (Silybum marianum) can look a lot like Italian thistle, especially as a seedling. It has spiny-winged stems, and its flowers are classic onion-shaped thistle flowers. This plant often grows as a biennial.

How do I tell thistle apart?

Look for mostly hairless, green and oblong leaves that have edges with spine-tipped lobes to spot the yellow thistle (Cir. horridulum). The yellow thistle has thick, hairy, 2- to 5-foot stems and buff-yellow to reddish-purple flower heads that sit atop a whorl of spiny leaves.

What is bull thistle used for?

The bull thistle plant was used by early humans as a warm medicinal tea. The roots were also used as an aid to digestion, and to treat stomach cramps. Steam from the warm tea was used to treat muscle stiffness and rheumatism.

What’s a thistle plant look like?

Stems are leafy, stout, branched, and somewhat woolly. Flower heads are large, rose to purple with many sharp spine-tipped bracts. Leaves are irregularly lobed, with the end lobe being longer than the side lobes, and all tipped with yellow prickles. Leaves are woolly on the underside.