Donaldson, S. and Hanson Mazet, W. 2010, A Northern Nevada Homeowner’s Guide to Identifying and Managing Bull Thistle, Extension | University of Nevada, Reno, FS-10-19

Bull thistle plant

Typical plant growing in disturbed site. 

Bull thistle leaf

The leaves are are lobed and rough in texture, and the tip of the leaf is elongated. The spines on the tips of the lobes are long and stiff.
 
  Bull thistle stem
 
Stems are spiny and winged.
 

Bull thistle flower

Flowers are purple and vase-shaped with spiny bracts.
 

Bull thistle rosettes

Rosettes have fuzzy leaves with visible bumps.
 

 

Other common names

Common thistle, spear thistle

Scientific name

Cirsium vulgare

Family

Asteraceae

Description

Bull thistle grows as a rosette (ground‐hugging form) in the first year, and then sends up stems and flowers in the second year, growing to 6 feet tall.

  • Flowers

    Pink to purple, vase‐shaped and in branched clusters at the ends of the stems. Bracts (modified leaves located under the flower petals) are spiny. Blooms from summer to fall.

  • Leaves

    Lobed, hairy and rough on the upper side; soft on the underside, with a raised center vein. Leaves are rough when rubbed towards the base. Lobe tips have long, stiff spines. The lobe at the end of the leaf is elongated.

  • Stems

    Hairy, spiny‐winged and branched.

  • Fruit

    Forms many stiff, brown burrs. This is the point at which most people notice the plant.

  • Roots

    Short taproot.

Native to

Eurasia; naturalized to much of the United States.

Where it grows

Rangeland, roadsides, edges of fields, burned areas and other disturbed or mismanaged sites.

Life cycle

Biennial (flowers and dies in the second year)

Reproduction

Reproduces by seed

Control methods

Bull thistle is easiest to control in the rosette stage. Prevent seed production to avoid spread by blowing seeds. However, simply cutting off the blooms does not provide sufficient control, as the plant will produce more flowers.

 

  • Mechanical

    Dig or pull plants, removing 2 inches of the top of the root. Mowing is not effective, as the weed can regrow from the roots and bloom close to the ground.

    Cultural

    Plant desirable, thick stands of vegetation to compete with bull thistle. Tall grasses can help shade out the weed.

    Biological

    A seedhead‐feeding fly, Urophora stylata, is available for use in controlling large infestations.

    Chemical

    Spot‐treat young plants with broadleaf‐selective herbicides. Use a surfactant to increase absorption of the herbicide by the fuzzy leaves.

References

All photos by S. Donaldson.

Colorado State Parks. 2005. Colorado State Parks Weed Profile: Bull Thistle.

DiTomaso, J.M. and E.A. Healy. 2007. Weeds of California and Other Western States. University of California Publication 3488.

Forest Health Staff. 2005. Bull Thistle. USDA Forest Service, invasive

Whitson, Tom D. (editor). 2002. Weeds of the West. University of Wyoming, Jackson, Wyoming.

Learn more about the author(s)

Wendy Hanson Mazet
Wendy Hanson Mazet
 

Also of Interest:

 
Identification and Management of Bull Thistle
This fact sheet contains information on Bull thistle by identifying the plant and understanding how to manage it by learning about the habitat, impact, and more.
 Graham, J., Johnson. W., McAdoo, K. 2005, Extension | University of Nevada, Reno, FS-05-03