Other common names:
Spear Thistle Other scientific names: Carduus vulgaris, Cirsium lanceolatum, Cnicus lanceolatus French names:
Chardon vulgaire Family: Composite Family (Asteraceae) Group: Thistles Similar species: • Field Thistle (Cirsium discolor) - A lot smaller overall. • Hill's Thistle (Cirsium pumilum) - Fairly uncommon, a lot smaller overall. • Nodding Thistle (Carduus nutans) - Flower is on a nodding head. •
Plumeless Thistle (Carduus acanthoides) - Flowers are smaller, resemble those of Nodding Thistle (Carduus nutans) (except they are not nodding). •
Swamp Thistle (Cirsium muticum) - A lot smaller overall.
Flowers: Summer; Blue/Violet; Indistinguishable parts (petals) Leaves: Alternate, Simple Habitat: Fields and Open Areas Books: Newcomb's Wildflower Guide: 430 Native/Non-native:
Non-native Origin and Meaning of Names:
Scientific Name: vulgare: common (Latin) Photographs:
85 photographs available, of which 9 are featured on this page. SCROLL DOWN FOR PHOTOGRAPHS.
Range Map is at the bottom of the page
PLEASE NOTE: A coloured Province or State means this species occurs somewhere in that Province/State.
The entire Province/State is coloured, regardless of where in that Province/State it occurs.
(Range map provided courtesy of the USDA website
and is displayed here in accordance with their
Policies)
